David Renaud

For David Renaud of Hightstown, NJ, acting is an awesome and influential power. It is a way to understand people's motivations. He wouldn't trade the emotional response of a crowd for anything else. "People feel what they're feeling because of you," said Renaud. "And they also have respect for what you're doing." But for Renaud, modeling is a way to get his face into the acting world.

Renaud's career in modeling began in high school when he pursued a modeling audition publicized in his high school entitled Model Search USA in NJ. When he arrived at the audition, he was asked to walk on the runway and present snapshots that were taken in his home. In the following interview, a representative from Model Search told Renaud he was an attractive young man and urged him to attend modeling school.

As a result, Renaud attended John Casablanca Modeling in Langhorne, PA., where models learn to eat healthy, care for their skin and hair, apply make-up properly and walk on the runway. As a result of his schooling, Renaud obtained a job at Structure, a men's clothing store at the Quakerbridge Mall in Lawrenceville, NJ, in which he practiced freeze modeling. He modeled Structure's clothes and was instructed to pose as long as possible, "until you hurt so bad you have to move," said Renaud, and then slowly move into another position. "It was definitely the funniest experience. There were kids banging on the glass wondering if you're real."

At the age of 17, Renaud had graduated from Hightstown High School as well as John Casablanca Modeling. He attended Mercer County Community College (MCCC) and once completing courses there, decided to pursue a career in acting. Renaud applied to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in Manhattan and was accepted. AMDA is a conservatory where students study for four semesters while taking eight or nine classes. Each of the courses is focused towards acting, not general education.

Some courses offered were scene study and acting techniques in which the styles of acting were taught and students would learn the various methods of acting. They also had courses in voice production, speech, and theater movement where they were taught the importance of stage presence. Another class was the Alexander technique in which they were taught exercises to free the body. Renaud explained that while you are a toddler, you have perfect posture. After years of misuse, your posture declines. "This class focused on relearning to move your body correctly. You stretch to the point where it hurts. People left limping, but it was a good pain," Renaud said.

"It's fun to do runway shows. It's like acting. You're affecting viewers. You just go out and have fun," said Renaud.

Students were also given the opportunity to take elective courses, which included classes on Shakespeare, dancing and singing. Renaud took dancing as his elective, which focused mainly on jazz. However, Renaud was already experienced in modern, ballet and jazz dance from courses he took while at MCCC.

Other offered courses included the history of theater and, interestingly enough, stage combat. In the latter class, students were taught to fight on stage. They were instructed on the sounds made for hitting as well as the positioning of the body so that the fighting sequence appears real to the audience.

Improvisation courses were also available in which they were taught to "exist in a state of neutrality" according to Renaud. They were instructed to act on the spur of the moment. "This was the hardest class," Renaud said.

After two semesters, Renaud left AMDA. While in New York City in the summer of 1999, Renaud and some friends attended a Whitney Houston concert in Madison Square Garden (MSG). Before the concert, a man approached Renaud outside of MSG and asked him if he was with an agency. Renaud replied that he was not, and the man gave him his business card. This man turned out to be the head booking agent of YDR Models, a New York-based modeling agency.

Renaud called the man and later met with him. After agreeing on a contract, Renaud signed with the agency and began to compile a portfolio. He started attending castings, photo shoots and runway shows in New York City. "It's fun to do runway shows. It's like acting. You're affecting viewers. You just go out and have fun," said Renaud.

Renaud said the procedure for print work casting is the same almost regardless of where you apply. "You go in, you give them your portfolio, they look through it and then they usually say 'We'll be in touch,' because they'll let you know right away if they want you." For runway castings, they look at a model's portfolio and then ask to see walking and movement style. Renaud said this was critical: when you go to a runway casting, you must "exude what they're looking for."

Renaud's patience and determination paid off in November of 1999, when he appeared in YM magazine. He was featured in "Guy Talk." The magazine selected five males who were interviewed and asked questions on relationships. The article featured a photo of each male as well as quotes from their interviews. Unfortunately, the things Renaud said were taken out of context and were not correct in the article.

The agency was then planning a nine-month international tour for Renaud, beginning in Milan and continuing through Paris and Japan. "It was the opportunity of a lifetime," Renaud said. Booking agent Cocoa Brown was organizing the arrangements, but unfortunately he left the agency while Renaud was still in New Jersey. As a result, the president of the agency took over Renaud's castings. Renaud said this resulted in many mistakes, including the embarrassment of sending him to a casting for only African-American models. "He was making me look unprofessional," Renaud said. As a result of his experiences, Renaud decided to drop the agency. Renaud currently is in the process of creating a new portfolio; his previous portfolio was the sole property of YDR Models, and he lost access to it upon his departure. This was easier said than done; Renaud said the modeling world is very hot and cold, up and down. "I don't see myself in it for very long," Renaud said.

Modeling serves as "a means to an end" for Renaud. "It gets your face out and helps you meet people. It's a good way to network," Renaud said. In the future, Renaud said he will shine on the theater stage in New York City or the film and television stage in Los Angeles.

© 2001 Melissa Steiger

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