WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Cartoon Voices
An exploration into the wacky world of cartoon
voice acting. Using sound-play, physical exercises
and voice placement, students will create unique
cartoon character voices.
Musical Theatre
NAME
Melissa Altro
Have you ever dreamed of being a Broadway or
West End star? Or would you just like to be able to
audition with confidence for the local/community
musical? The Musical Theatre Workshop is designed
for anyone interested in performing in musicals and
is an excellent opportunity to develop your vocal
abilities, song/audition repertoire and dramatic
skills.
Vivian Cheung
BIOGRAPHY
Melissa Altro is one of Canada’s premier voice talents with 17 years of
industry experience. Since 1994, Melissa has played the role of Muffy
in the 4-time Emmy-Award-winning show Arthur. She shares her
voice acting experience through Voice Pro Studio by offering in-studio
and school workshops, producing voice demos and one-on-one voice
coaching.
Vivian Cheung is originally from Hong Kong and moved to Canada
when she was 4 years old. She enjoys grilled cheese sandwiches,
sweltering summer days, and Hello Kitty. She received her acting
training at the joint University of Toronto at Mississauga and Sheridan
College’s Theatre & Drama Studies program. Her training is
complimented with a strong background in music (piano and voice),
as well as 10+ years in various styles of dance (jazz, tap, ballet).
Recently, she pursued a Bachelor of Education at OISE/University of
Toronto and is qualified to teach Drama and English at the
Intermediate/Senior levels.
Vivian’s background in theatre and education naturally led her to
many opportunities working with youth. She currently leads school
workshops in drama at The Living Arts Centre, as well as having
directed numerous musical theatre productions for children and
teens in the “Bravo Broadway” and “Act Up!” programs. Recent
productions include: The Sound of Music, Willy Wonka and the
Chocolate Factory, and Alice in Wonderland. Vivian also instructs
Drama and Musical Theatre classes in her community for The City of
Toronto: Parks & Recreation.
When not teaching, Vivian acts professionally in Theatre, Film and TV.
This year, she toured Judy & David’s (Treehouse TV) new
show, MathJam: Shapers Capers to schools across Southern Ontario.
Through an interactive performance filled with song and dance,
Stage Combat
Stage Combat is a safe and effective means of
creating comic and dramatic scenes of action. Learn
how actors create the illusion of physical conflict
without getting hurt. A very caring and gentle art,
created by actors, for actors, to create the illusion
of physical conflict. This workshop is an interactive
introductory course about combat techniques used
for the stage and in cinema. Students will learn
various techniques for staging a fight in a safe,
practical and fun way.
Follies & Foils
Nathan Bitton
& Devon Healey
Vivian showed primary students that math could be fun to learn.
Selected acting credits include: Rogers Wireless Commercial – voice
over(Avia Productions), Fortune Cookie Prophecies (Red Lotus
Films), Word on the Street (OMNI TV),Cinderland (Toronto
FringeKids!), We Need Help! (Clay & Paper Theatre), Staged
Readings: REM(Eventual Ashes Pro. / Buddies in Bad Times), and Boat
People (Fu-Gen Asian Canadian Theatre).
Nathan Bitton
Nathan Bitton graduated from the University of Toronto Mississauga/
Sheridan College, Theatre and Drama Studies program in 2009.
Nathan then went on to graduate from OISE/UT in 2011 with a
Bachelor of Education. Not only is Nathan a working actor in the
Toronto scene but he has also spent many years tirelessly training in
stage combat. Nathan has not only achieved the rank of Advanced
Actor Combatant but he was also awarded the prestigious Paddy
Crean Award by Fight Directors Canada.
Nathan has performed in many productions around Toronto,
including the crowd favorite Duel of Ages at last year's Next Stage
Festival. Nathan loves bringing the energy and excitement of stage
combat into the classroom where he can use it to teach not only
dramatic technique and style but empowerment through movement.
Nathan just finished Assistant-Directing a production of a Canadian
classic, Goodnight Desdamona/Good Morning Juliet for Theatre
Erindale at the University of Toronto Mississauga, which became one
of Theatre Erindale's highest selling shows ever!
Devon Healey
Devon Healey is a classically trained actor from the University of
Toronto and Sheridan Collage. In 2011 she earned her Bachelor of
Education Degree from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
of the University of Toronto. While there, she specialized in infusing
the curriculum with artistic principles allowing drama to be used as a
catalyst for exploration and self-discovery.
Devon is an active member in the Toronto Arts community,
participating and performing in many productions, promotional
events and festivals. In the summer of 2011 both Nate and Devon
performed at ‘Taste of the Danforth’ to promote The Immortals.
Devon also recently closed Theatre Etobicoke’s production
of Barefoot in the Park! Currently Devon is Assistant-Directing the
University of Toronto: Theatre Erindale’s production of Stage Door.
Since graduating from the University of Toronto’s Theatre/Drama
Studies program, Michael has contributed to a smorgasbord of
eclectic projects bouncing between Toronto, New York and Los
Angeles.
The Director’s P.O.V.
You've read the play, you've learned your lines,
you've ransacked your parents’ closet for an
appropriate costume... now what? Dissecting any
scene can be a complicated process. Blocking can
be nerve-racking -- character/scene objectives
obtuse. But... with your priorities aligned, you can
make any text pulse forth from the page.
As the artistic director of Jack in the Black Theatre, he developed,
produced and directed several shows culminating in fourteen Dora
nominations. Some of his personal favourites include: The world
premiere of Matthew Edison’s The Domino Heart for the Tarragon;
Jacob Richmond’s Small Returns for Passé Muraille and The Qualities
of Zero for which Michael received best director and best production
Dora noms. In 2004, he was invited to participate in the Directors
Master Class at the World Stage Theatre Festival.
Michael Kessler
Slithering into the seedy landscape of film and television, Michael has
had the great pleasure of working with some of the industry’s most
unusual professionals including Michael J. Maschio (The A-Team,
Scarecrow & Mrs. King); David Solomon (Buffy The Vampire Slayer);
Todd Holland (The Larry Sanders Show, Malcolm in the Middle); Mike
DeLuca (former head of New Line, The Social Network); Carol Trussell
(Smallville, True Blood) and Darren Star (creator of Sex And The City).
Michael produced The Echo, a feature film starring that guy from
Swimfan, Colin Farrell’s ex-wife and Madonna’s babydaddy for
Vertigo Entertainment (The Departed, The Grudge, The Ring). After
being kicked out of post, Michael proceeded to mull around Amoeba
Records just long enough to develop a few projects for Rightoff/ Dark
& Stormy Entertainment as well as Mike Werb Productions where it
was former boss, writer/producer Mike Werb (The Mask, Face/Off,
Tomb Raider) that would coax him back to television for Unnatural
History -- a Warner Bros/ Cartoon Network adventure show. CN’s
first live-action one-hour scripted series -- the pilot was helmed by
two-time Academy Award nominee Mikael Salomon. Michael would
go on to produce all thirteen episodes.
Mankind's Mirror - An Introduction to Mask
Characterization
In this hands-on workshop, students will learn
about masks using David's collection of masks from
around the world - animal, ritual and human.
Through a series of guided steps, they will have the
opportunity to select a mask, animate and explore
it, playing a character from another time, place or
culture. They will learn about the importance of
David Langlois
timing, status, focus, give and take and presence
while strengthening their imagination, playfulness,
and creativity. Students will learn how masks can
bring a new level of truth and spontaneity to a
performance through a full physical, vocal, and
emotional transformation. Masks are not only a fun
way to discover new characters, but are also a great
way to build confidence and beginner mask
performers will be encouraged to take risks that will
surprise themselves and others.
Lighting Design
Meaghan
Upcoming projects include Rosa Laborde’s quirky new television
series Mostly Sunny as well as Mike Werb’s latest enigmatic show,
Accelerated. In the summer of 2012, he is slated to make his
directorial debut on 2X Entertainment’s high-octane futuristic thriller,
Tag (his first screenplay) and is also working on his first pilot,
Withering Heights, co-written by Gemini award winner Richard
Rotter.
David is the founding artistic director of MetaPhysical Theatre, a
professional theatre company that uses different styles of physical
theatre as the starting point for the development of its original work.
Founded in 1987, MetaPhysical Theatre has created seven original
physical theatre productions: ‘Emotional Baggage’ (1987), ‘No
Direction Home’ (1989), ‘Earthlings’ (1991), ‘Julius Rex’ (1996), ‘The
Seven Lively Sins’ (1997) and ‘Fool’s Gold’ (2000). Its latest
production ‘Pierrot et La Lune’ will be presented at this summer’s
Toronto Fringe Festival from July 4th to 15th.
Meg has been working in the theatre field in downtown Toronto for
This workshop is an interactive introductory course
about lighting design techniques used for the stage.
Students will learn various techniques for creatively
lighting a stage piece. Aside from learning various
applications and techniques, students will also be
given an interactive demonstration of the lighting
instruments available in the Performing Arts Centre
at The Country Day School. These instruments
include standard fixtures as well as moving ones,
which the students will be able to see up close on a
complete tour of the facilities catwalks.
Intro to Improv
Improvising is a great way to find a hidden talent,
release creative energy, and build self-confidence.
It’s also a great way to meet some like-minded
peers and have fun! In this workshop students will
learn the basics of Improvisation and quickly be
able to utilize these skills to fun, creative
results. Participants will learn the fundamentals of
storytelling create their own characters on stage
and gain the confidence to show off their newfound abilities.
The Specifics of Movement and Character
Maguire
five years. Selected credits include member of the lighting team for
Second City's Facebook of Revelations and Tazed and Confused, Stage
Manager and Technical Director for Canadian Comedy Award 2009
winner One Woman Show, and assistant stage manager for Twist of
Fate, winner of the Globe and Mail's Most Heartfelt Dance Award,
2009. In 2010 she made her way across the pond to New Zealand and
was the stage manager for Ben Hur, an Epic, Best Comedy winner at
the 2010 New Zealand International Fringe Festival. She was also the
Stage Manager for Second City's EdCo and the Training Centre.
Currently she is the Production Assistant at Country Day School.
Darryl is a Toronto-based actor, teacher and improviser. He holds a
B.A. in Theatre from Wilfrid Laurier University, graduated from the
conservatory program at Second City Training Centre and has studied
acting at Ryerson Theatre School.
Darryl Pring
Autumn Smith
Television credits include Warehouse 13 for NBC, The Transporter for
Showtime, Combat Hospital for ABC The Bridge for CBS, Zixx Level
One for YTV, Exhibit A for the Life Network and Queer as Folk for
Showtime. Film credits include Squonk in the Hilary Duff movie The
Perfect Man, B.B. in the Mandy Moore movie How to Deal, Bear
Berczinski in the Disney movie Genius, Gene Womack in A Lobster
Tale co-starring Colm Meaney and Graham Greene and in the
sequel Boondock Saints II, All Saints Day.
As an improviser Darryl has performed in many shows across the
country, including Theatresports in Toronto and The Big Stupid
Improv Show in Edmonton. He is also the creator/producer/director
of the hit improv shows Gleeks, and Don’t You Forget About John
Hughes. He is the creator of two Canadian Comedy Award-nominated
shows TROUBADOUR – Competitive Musical Improv and Dr. Whom.
Autumn is a Toronto based theatre director and artist educator. For
the past 8 years she was the Artistic Director of MacKenzieRo: The
Through a series of exercises, learners will uncover
the physical world of a character. We will explore
weight, age, gender, race, time and space allowing
enough time for students to explore their choice of
character in specific physical depth.
Irish Repertory Theatre Company of Canada. With MacKenzieRo,
Autumn directed several plays including the Dora Award winning The
New Electric Ballroom and the Irish Tour of Enda Walsh’s acclaimed
play bedbound. Other directing credits with MacKenzieRo include:
the world premieres of The Rake’s Progress: Do You Know Where
Tom Rakewell Is? (NextStage Theatre Festival, CanStage Festival of
New Ideas, Druid Theatre) and Teacht I dTir: Voices from Ireland Park,
in collaboration with Diageo Canada and the Ireland Fund of Canada.
Autumn has also directed for The Shaw Festival as part of the Neil
Munro Director’s Project in 2010, where her production of Riders to
the Sea was featured in the Studio Theatre. Autumn has also directed
for StageWest as the Resident Director of Youth Programming,
Roseneath Theatre, Stagedoor Manor in association with the
American Theatre Wing and the Jermyn Street Theatre in London
England. In conjunction with her work as a director, Autumn is also a
sought after Artist Educator having worked with The Ontario Arts
Council, The Toronto and Durham District School Boards, The
National Ballet/Stratford Project, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford
Shakespeare School, Theatre Passe Muraille, The Tarragon Theatre,
George Brown Theatre School, MacKenzieRo and Equity Showcase
Theatre. Autumn is also currently in her 4th year as an adjudicator for
The Sears Drama Festival, and has taken on adjudicating other
festivals such as the ACTCO Festival and the Paprika Festival.
On-Camera Auditioning Technique and the
Business of Show Business
Auditions for television and film require the actor
be put on camera for the casting director /
producers. This is an introduction of the techniques
Kerri Smith
Upcoming: Autumn is working as the Creative Consultant on the new
Canadian Musical “Bloodless”, directed by Colm Wilkinson and
presented by Theatre 20 and Mirvish Productions.
Kerri has been a professional actress, writer and producer for ten
years. This Leo nominee can currently be seen alongside Tom Selleck
as Sister Mary John in the Jesse Stone series on CBS and in guest
spots on Flashpoint, Murdoch Mysteries and Degrassi: TNG. She is
currently shopping her first feature length script “Kat’s Web.” Theatre
credits include Myrtle in David Rotenberg’s adaptation of The Great
required to audition on camera. Topics include the
Cold-Read, Camera Technique, and Audition
Technique (what to do and what not to do in the
room). Time will be allocated at the end of the
session to talk about the business of show business
(how to get an agent, who to go to, what to send,
what to look out for when getting an agent etc).
Improvisation!
Gatsby, as well as Lobby Hero, Fool for Love and Spike Heels.
A graduate of the training program at Second City and a member of
Theatresports Toronto/Bad Dog Theatre, Cary also has a B.A. in
Communications and Drama from the University of Windsor and a
diploma in Theatre Arts from the Players Academy (Equity Showcase).
Learn the basics of an art form in which the
performers create theatre scenes in the moment.
Heighten your active listening skills, control of focus
and true spontaneity, to building a narrative.
Students will explore environmental, physical and
emotional offers in a positive group setting. Their
individual creativity will be increased through the
accepting of ideas from others and striving for
agreement.
He is a working stage actor with credits in leading and strong
supporting roles. He has studied and performed with some of the top
improvisers in North America.
Over the years, he has also studied classical theatre, voice and
directing. He was nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award in 2001
for Best New Sketch Troupe (The Closet Primadonnas).
Cary West
Cary is currently an instructor at Second City and Bad Dog Theatre.
Teaching groups of all ages and backgrounds, his knowledge of all the
major improvisation techniques taught in North America allow him to
select the best from each and incorporate it into a workshop or
performance to meet individual needs.
Cary is a regular performer of corporate entertainment and has much
experience as an instructor of corporate training with some of
Canada's largest companies. He helped found, Bizprov, which
specializes in both these fields.
Past, Present and Future
Gina Anki
Cary's additional experience as a Director and Actor in film and
television translate to an intuitive understanding of creating the right
impression.
Gina Anki has worked in the theatre industry for over 35 years.
Historical Transformation of Costumes and
Makeup
Join our team of professional artists as we take you
on a journey of character transformation through
hair, makeup and costumes! Learn the skills
required to become a pro at doing makeup for
stage! Whether it’s for application on yourself or on
others; this course will introduce you to the world
of Theatrical Makeup! Educator, Larissa Palaszczuk,
will show you techniques for historical, current or
futuristic looks. This interactive makeup workshop
will also include an introduction to hair styles and
costume trends worn in the past, present and
future!
Guiding young artists through the challenging and rewarding aspects
of the creative process of drama has been an important source of joy
and fulfillment for her. A graduate of Theatre Arts at Wilfred Laurier
University and Drama Therapy at the Institute of Drama Therapy in
London, England, Gina founded Children's Arts Theatre School 20
years ago and has had the pleasure of working with students between
the ages of 3 to 18 years. She has also worked as a drama consultant
for the public and private school sector for a number of years. Three
years ago Gina Anki founded CATS MAINSTAGE THEATRE COMPANY,
providing a professional acting company dedicated to the
development of young actors in Toronto. Gina envisions MAINSTAGE
as a stepping stone for aspiring actors wishing to pursue a career in
the the performing arts.
In 2011, Gina Anki became the proud owner of Theatrix Costume
House, one of the largest costume stores in North America. She is
thrilled to be opening up a new Theatrix School of Makeup, offering
specialized programs for students interested in pursuing a career in
all aspects of the makeup industry.