James DuMont returns Home to Chicago for 3rd Annual “Actor Empowerment Summit”
2026 in Chicago on September 19 & 20, 2026.
This year he’s taking his 48-Hour SELF-TAPE CHALLENGE Workshop & doing it Live & In Person on Saturday September 19th
from 12:30 pm-2 pm CST
Location:
CineCity Studios
James has hand picked Ten Chicago Actors to Participate!
They will be Emailed One page of Material 48 Hours beforehand & do One take with notes or Adjustments, then a Second Take & One Actor will be selected for a Grand Prize!
They will be known as “THE CHICAGO TEN”
On that Saturday, they’ll each perform it live on camera & in front of the entire room.
James will coach each actor in real time, offer a focused adjustment to show how specific choices & notes can completely transform any audition.
Everyone receives the scene.
Everyone studies the choices.
Everyone joins in on the conversation.
You’ll watch 10 actors bring 10 different interpretations to the exact same material—and see firsthand how casting decisions are shaped by preparation, connection, curation and choice.
At the end of the challenge, one actor will be chosen & named the winner of the Self Tape Challenge 2026 and receive a Grand Prize, which will be determined later.
Because you’re viewing this on our Website, as a Thank You for taking the time to get more information, we created a Discount Code: JAMES
for you:
SATURDAY: $165.00 ($70 Savings)
FULL WEEKEND: $199.00 ($85 Savings)
This is our third Summit together—and this year, we’re making the entire experience much more intimate, hands-on and interactive.
Bring your questions. Bring your goals. Bring the project you want to move forward with & Expand your Tribe & Creative circle.
The interactive experience continues throughout the entire Summit:
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A separate workshop with booking ninja Randy Bernales
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Live access to agents, casting professionals and working artists
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Career and creative-work protection tools
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An inside look at CineCity’s virtual-production studio
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Food, community, new connections and surprises throughout the weekend.
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https://vimeo.com/1183531602?fl=pl&fe=sh
Links:
To See everything that is included:
https://bit.ly/ChicagoAES26
ACTOR EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT
September 19–20, 2026
CineCity Studios