Actor’s Intensive

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. You’ll 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. You will also integrate the process back into the product as you work on monologues, both classic and contemporary, to be presented at a final showcase.

Listen to instructors Scott Bellis and Manami Hara share more about Actor's Intensive in this video!

For more information, contact Kevan Ellis, Director of Education, at kellis@artsclub.com or 604.687.5315, ext. 244.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 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
October 3–November 6, 2023
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30–10:30 PM
Sundays, 2–10 pm
Showcase & Rehearsal: Mon, Nov 6, 10 AM–9 PM
Location: BMO Theatre Centre

COST (with GST)

Equity rate: $680
Non-Equity: $850

ACCESSIBILITY

The Arts Club prioritizes accessibility in our program offerings:

• Physically accessible and gender-neutral washrooms
• Sighted-guide assistance
• Personal Support Workers are welcome in the space; advance notice is requested so we can adjust numbers based on safety procedures
• Wheelchair user friendly space
• Program materials provided in accessible formats
• We currently cannot offer ASL services during classes

We are committed to the inclusive participation of all who join our programs, and, to that end, wish to provide a safe place for everyone to share, learn, and grow. Our Accessibility Coordinator, Amy Amantea, would be happy to discuss access needs. Amy is a person who lives with a disability. 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 audience
• We encourage artists who identify as IBPOC, LGBTQ2+ and/or PWD to apply
• 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 classes are taught by working professionals, award-winning actors, and veterans of the Arts Club. Past instructors include Jo Leslie, Wendy Gorling, Christine Hackman, Bill Pozzobon, and more.

INSTRUCTORS

Scott Bellis/Program Lead and Instructor
Scott is best known as a founding company member at Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, where he has acted in over 40 productions since 1990. He has performed across the country, including with the Arts Club, Ruby Slippers Productions, Touchstone Theatre, the Electric Company, Western Canada Theatre, Vertigo Theatre, Theatre Calgary, and Canadian Stage Company. Scott has been nominated for 20 Jessie Awards, receiving five, 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, Bard on the Beach, and the Arts Club. Scott has also taught acting for the Banff/Citadel Academy, Studio 58, Langara College, and 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.

Monique Bourgeois/Instructor
Monique Bourgeois is a Movement Educator, actor, dancer, and theatre artist trained in various movement techniques for actors, such as dance, Jaques Lecoq’s movement, mime and neutral mask, Laban theory, Alexander technique, Viewpoints, and many of her own developed techniques. Monique brings over 30 years of experience, practices, and teachings in embodiment and somatic self-awareness. She offers a nuanced wisdom that explores and facilitates the physical integration necessary to communicate roles with clarity, vitality, and a rich emotional life. Monique complements her teaching practice with her experience as a Certified BodyTalk Practitioner, which works with tangible ways to change habitual and chronic postures and physical holding patterns that block body-mind connections and energy flow in the body. Her most recent movement for actors teaching credit is from VanArts Acting program.

Dean Paul Gibson/Instructor
Dean is the Program Director for the annual Arts Club Actor’s Intensive and has been a Guest Instructor with Citadel/Banff Centre Professional Theatre Training, Bard Studio, Studio 58 Professional Theatre Training, and Capilano University. Dean is theatre practitioner with 30 years of experience. His passion for performance, language, and interpretation has served to make him a trusted and sought-after theatre artist in a number of roles, including as director, actor, instructor, workshop leader, adjudicator, and coach. His extended experience as a successful director over 60 productions has allowed him to further enrich his skills and create opportunities to connect with people and their stories.

Manami Hara/Instructor
Manami immigrated from Tokyo to pursue her dream of becoming a theatre artist in North America. For the past three decades, she’s been building her career as an actor, playwright, instructor, interpreter/translator, dramaturg, and director. Manami has worked with companies across Canada including the Arts Club, Boca del Lupo, Carousel Theatre, The Cultch, Factory Theatre, Firehall Arts Centre, Frank Theatre, Gateway Theatre, Globe Theatre, Grand Theatre, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades Theatre, ISTAZOO, La Luna Productions, NAC, NeWorld Theatre, One Yellow Rabbit, Pi Theatre, Playwrights Theatre Centre, Presentation House Theatre, Ruby Slippers, Rumble Productions, Theatre Passe Muraille, Theatre Replacement, Touchstone Theatre, vAct, and Vancouver Playhouse. Manami is a Jessie Award winner and nominee for her acting and collaborative creations. Recently, she joined the Presentation House Theatre as a Director of Applied Theatre Arts. She is passionate about teaching students of all ages the magic of theatre making, acting, storytelling, and collaborative process. She’s a graduate of Studio 58.

Alana Hawley Purvis/Instructor
Alana is a professional actor and vocal coach based in Vancouver. Proud to be a Canadian artist, her training and work has taken Alana across North and Central America to collaborate with organizations such as Bard on the Beach, Arts Club, the Stratford Festival, Douglas College, University of Alberta, On the Mic Studio, the Citadel Banff Professional Program, and Es Artes! Alana currently runs the Your Voice program with The LGBTQ+ Wellness Centre, where she specializes in trans vocal care. For over 15 years, Alana has performed with various theatre companies, including the Stratford Festival, Canadian Stage, Citadel Theatre, Theatre Calgary, and Alberta Theatre Playhouse. She is a graduate of the American Academy for Classical Acting (MFA) and The Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre Training. Passionate about the power of communication, her goal is to empower individuals to speak their truth; to find and embrace their authentic voice. alanahawleypurvis.com

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
CLASS DATES

WEEK #1
Tue, Oct 3, 6:30–10:30 PM,
Thu, Oct 6, 6:30–10:30 PM
Sun, Oct 8, 2–10 PM

WEEK #2
Tue, Oct 10, 6:30–10:30 PM
Thu, Oct 12, 6:30–10:30 PM
Sun, Oct 15, 2–10 PM

WEEK #3
Tue, Oct 17, 6:30–10:30 PM
Thu, Oct 19, 6:30–10:30 PM
Sun, Oct 22, 2–10 PM

WEEK #4
Tue, Oct 24, 6:30–10:30 PM
Thu, Oct 26, 6:30–10:30 PM
Sun, Oct 29, 2–10 PM

WEEK #5
Tue, Oct 31, 6:30–10:30 PM
Thu, Nov 2, 6:30–10:30 PM
FINAL SHOWCASE: Mon, Nov 6, 10 AM–10 PM, at the Newmont Stage

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

• A one-page cover letter with your contact information that clearly states why you think you would be a good candidate for the class. You may also choose to provide a short video expressing your reasons for applying to the program, along with your audition (see below).
• A one-page résumé summarizing your performing experience and training
• Headshot (recommended but not required)
• Indicate whether or not you are an Equity member

Selected applicants will be invited to submit a video audition. The audition 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. The submission deadline for a video audition is September 9, 2023. Successful candidates will be notified by September 12, 2023.

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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