Photos: Hollywood hopefuls chase tantalizing moments of artistry

Robert McHalffey, second from left, rehearses “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with the cast of Shakespeare By the Sea including Bridget Garwood, left, Garret Replogle and Olivia Schlueter-Corey at Little Fish Theatre in San Pedro.   (Christina House / For The Times)

Robert McHalffey rehearses his role of Lysander in Shakespeare By the Sea’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream, his first Bard production.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Robert McHalffey rehearses “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The actor says “the key to Shakespeare is doing the detective work beforehand.”  (Christina House / For The Times)

Robert McHalffey rehearses “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with the cast of Shakespeare By the Sea.   (Christina House / For The Times)

Robert McHalffey and Olivia Schlueter-Corey practice a scene from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”  (Christina House / For The Times)

Robert McHalffey, second from right, rehearses “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with Olivia Schlueter-Corey, from left, director Patrick Vest and Bridget Garwood.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Robert McHalffey lifts Olivia Schlueter-Corey during a scene in a rehearsal of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”  (Christina House / For The Times)

Director Patrick Vest, left, looks on as Robert McHalffey rehearses “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with the cast of Shakespeare By the Sea including Olivia Schlueter-Corey and Garret Replogle.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Robert McHalffey rehearses “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with Garret Replogle, left, and Olivia Schlueter-Corey.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Robert McHalffey, right, practices a scene with Garret Replogle.   (Christina House / For The Times)

Robert McHalffey takes on his first Shakespeare production with Shakespeare By the Sea’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”  (Christina House / For The Times)

The “little victories” lift budding actor Robert McHalffey, left. Aspiring screenwriter Marc Iannarino says part of his inspiration comes from his years in the military.   (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)