Actor’s Intensive

Applications are now open for Actor’s Intensive! Apply by August 14

The Arts Club’s Actor’s Intensive, established in 2010, is a multi-week course that takes a back-to-basics approach to tune up the professional actor’s instrument with voice, movement, and acting training. This course culminates in a showcase of participants for an invited audience including directors from the community.

The class structure mirrors conservatory programs and provides practice that is frequent and focused. Participants will work three days a week (15 hours per week), for 75 hours of instruction over five weeks—enough time to polish off any rust and get galvanized for lasting change.

This is both a process and a product class. The acting training will incorporate voice and body work and examine the decision-making process that goes into crafting a performance. Participants will also integrate the process back into the product as you work on scenes and monologues, both classic and contemporary, to be presented at a final showcase.

For more information, please contact the Education & Community Engagement Coordinator, Mikenzie Page, at page@artsclub.com

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum recommended age: 25
• Significant training and/or experience in acting and performing (preferably both), recent or not
• Equity and Non-Equity actors are encouraged to apply

CLASS SCHEDULE FALL 2026

Opening Intensive Weekend, BMO Theatre Centre:
Fri, Sep 4, 6–10:30 PM
Sat, Sep 5, 12–4:30 PM
Sun, Sep 6, 12–4:30 PM

Sep 8–Oct 5, 2026, BMO Theatre Centre
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30–10:30 PM
Sundays, 2–10 PM
Showcase & Rehearsal: Mon, Oct 5, Noon–10 PM

COST (INCLUDES GST)
Equity members: $787.50
Non-Equity members: $945.00

EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, & ACCESSIBILITY 

We encourage applications from equity-seeking individuals, including but not limited to those who are Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, People of the Global Majority, Trans, gender diverse, Intersex, Queer, Neurodivergent, Deaf, and Disabled/have lived experience of disability (including mental health disability).

The program facilitators and teaching artists will consult participants about their access needs and strive to adapt the program accordingly. At the Arts Club, we prioritize accessibility in our program offerings. This is what the ACAI program offers:

• Accessible and gender-neutral washrooms
• Sighted guide assistance (upon request for classes)
• Personal Support Workers are welcome in the space; advance notice is requested so we can adjust numbers based on safety procedures.
• Any Zoom events would offer screen reader access, and auto-generated captions
• Any materials needed to access the program will be provided in an accessible format upon request. (e.g. large print, double spaced, etc.)
• A community cupboard is available to all participants, with different snacks, toiletries, and other small necessities.
• We currently cannot offer ASL services during classes.

Our Accessibility Coordinator, Amy Amantea, would be happy to get in touch if you would like to have a more detailed discussion about access needs. Email her at aamantea@artsclub.com.

OTHER DETAILS

• Students are expected to attend all classes
• Class size is limited to 12 students
• Total number of instruction hours: 75
• Students will showcase material for an open audience, including invited theatre community members.
• Subsidy spots are available on a case-by-case basis. For more information, contact Kevan Ellis, Director of Education, at kellis@artsclub.com.

The Actor’s Intensive supports each actor in a different way, including:

1. As a bootcamp. These actors want a place to work out for the duration of the program and get into prime acting shape.
2. As a systems re-boot. These actors want to diversify their learning, add to their skill toolbox and get re-inspired by filling in some gaps in their training.
3. Becoming part of an acting community. You will find theatre friends, future collaborators, and project ideas here by reintroducing yourself and enhancing your presence in the acting community.

All of our classes are taught by working professionals, award-winning actors and veterans of the Arts Club Theatre Company. Past faculty includes Alana Hawley Purvis, Raugi Yu, Ming Hudson, Dean Paul Gibson, Aidan Parker, Alison Matthews, Jo Leslie, Wendy Gorling, Veena Sood, Manami Hara, and many others.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR & INSTRUCTOR: SCOTT BELLIS

Scott is best known as a founding company member at Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, where he has acted in over 50 productions since 1990. 

He has performed across the country, and with most theatre companies in B.C., including the Arts Club, Ruby Slippers Productions, Touchstone Theatre, the Electric Company, Western Canada Theatre, and elsewhere, Vertigo Theatre, Theatre Calgary, Citadel Theatre, and Canadian Stage Company. Scott has been the recipient of 5 Jessie Richardson Theatre awards and currently serves as Council President for Canadian Actors' Equity Association.

His directing credits include projects for Carousel Theatre, Solo Collective, Persephone Theatre, Studio 58, Gateway Theatre, Western Canada Theatre, Bard on the Beach and the Arts Club.

Scott has also taught acting for the Banff/Citadel Academy, Studio 58, Langara College, and at the VanArts Institute. He is excited at the prospect of another great series of classes here at the Arts Club and looks forward to sharing his personal knowledge and experience with those who have a passion for live performance.

This year’s faculty is to be announced!

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

FALL 2026, AT THE BMO THEATRE CENTRE

Opening Intensive Weekend
Fri, Sep 4, 6–10:30 PM (Studio B)
Sat, Sep 5, 12–4:30 PM (Studio B)
Sun, Sep 6 ,12–4:30 PM (Studio B)

Schedule
Tue, Sep 8, 6:30–10:30 PM (Studio B)
Thu, Sep 10, 6:30–10:30 PM (Studio B)
Sun, Sep 13, 2–10 PM (Olympic Village Stage)
Tue, Sep 15, 6:30–10:30 PM (Studio A)
Thu, Sep 17, 6:30–10 :30 PM (Studio A)
Sun, Sep 20, 2–10 PM (Studio A)
Tue, Sep 22, 6:30–10:30 PM (Studio A)
Thu, Sep 24, 6:30–10:30 PM (Studio A)
Sun, Sep 27, 2–10 PM (Studio C)
Tue, Sep 29, 6:30–10:30 PM (Studio B)
Thu, Oct 1, 6:30–10:30 PM (Studio B)
Mon, Oct 5, Noon–10 PM: SHOWCASE DAY (Olympic Village Stage)

To apply, submit the following materials by email to kellis@artsclub.com and mpage@artsclub.com:

• A  paragraph/blurb/or cover letter or a video intro with your contact information that clearly states what you are seeking to explore as an artist and why you think you would be a good candidate for the class.
• A  one-page résumé summarizing your performing experience and training
• A self-tape/video audition. The audition tape should include a monologue of no more than two minutes, or two shorter monologues of no longer than one minute each. Monologues should be from established plays, from either the classical or contemporary canon, with at least one professional production to their credit.
• Headshot (recommended but not required)
• Indicate whether or not you are an Equity member
• If you foresee any scheduling conflicts, please state them in your application.

Successful candidates will be notified by August 21, 2026.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Here’s what some of our fabulous alumni are up to!

Steffanie Davis, ’22
We Will Rock You (Theatre Under the Stars)

Shannon Hanbury, ’19
Mainstage performer at Disney Cruise Line

Synthia Yusuf, ’19
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Mirvish), Maria in The Sound of Music (Arts Club)

Praneet Akilla, ’18
The Orchard, Cipher (Arts Club); Coriolanus (Bard on the Beach); Mahabharata (Shaw Festival); October Faction (Netflix)

Emily Dallas, ’18
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Bard on the Beach)

Cecilly Day, ’18
The Sound of Music (Arts Club), The Cake (Pacific Theatre), Virgin River (Netflix)

Stefania Indelicato, ’18
Producer and actor, A Kid Like Jake by Daniel Pearle

Melissa Oei, ’16
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Bard on the Beach), The Twelve Dates of Christmas (Arts Club), Long Division (Pi Theatre), The Audience (Arts Club)

Sean Harris Oliver, ’15
Co-Artistic Director of Hardline Productions. Co-writer and director of Redpatch (Hardline/Arts Club/Citadel Theatre). Winner of three Jesse Awards. Future projects: The Soldier’s Wife and Our Neighbourhood (Hardline Productions)

Sharon Crandall, ’14
Matilda (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre/Citadel Theatre/Arts Club), The Enemy (Firehall Arts Centre)

Kaitlin Williams, ’13
Artistic Director of Pacific Theatre. Director of Kim’s Convenience (Pacific Theatre, Arts Club). Performed in The Winter’s Tale (Bard on the Beach). Designed costumes for The Cake (Pacific Theatre)

Corey Payette, ’11
Director, playwright, composer, and performer. Wrote and directed the musicals Children of God, Les Filles du Roi, and Sedna. Artistic Director of Urban Ink

Ashley O’Connell, ’10
Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter’s Tale (Bard on the Beach); The Graduate, Blood Brothers (Arts Club); The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Ensemble Theatre Company)

Sally Stubbs, ’10
Award-winning playwright. Among her plays: And Bella Sang With Us, Centurions, Herr Beckmann’s People