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.
