Pre-Professional Troupes and Programs
Junior Theatre Troupe
Pre-professional (ages 13–16)
Put your talent on stage! Students develop on- and off-stage skills, as well as the cooperative team spirit needed to produce and perform a play. We hone performance skills and experiment with staging elements such as lighting, sound, and set design. Troupes dedicate the Fall session to intensive training in movement, voice, improvisation, scene studies, and script work. Winter and Spring sessions focus on mounting a professional production to tour Metro Vancouver elementary schools.
Students also showcase their work as a part of the Winter Shorts at Performance Works as well as the Expressions Theatre Festival at the Waterfront Theatre. Past productions include: “Charlotte’s Web” (2017), “Story Stew, A Fairy Tale Review” (2016), “Alice in Wonderland” (2015), “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” (2014), and “Peter Pan” (2013).
Director: Susanne Moniz de Sá
Labratory Theatre Troupe
Pre-professional (ages 13–19)
Turn a blank page into an original script. Experiment with other like-minded theatre students to create, produce, and perform an original theatre piece to tour to Metro Vancouver schools. Similar to the work done in the other Pre-professional Troupes, you will gain a deeper understanding of the actor’s process with a greater emphasis on creating original work and sharing knowledge.
Showcase your work as a part of the Winter Shorts at Performance Works, as well as the Expressions Theatre Festival at the Waterfront Theatre.
Director: Laura McLean
Musical Theatre Troupe
Pre-professional (ages 13–19) – by audition only
Young performers train with professional musical theatre artists to gain valuable ensemble and solo performance experience and enhance the special connection between performers and audiences. Actors can expect to expand their audition repertoire, develop their voice, and learn advanced singing, dancing, and acting techniques. Musical Theatre Troupe members end the year with either a full-length or school length Broadway Musical as part of our Expressions Festival.
Director: Andy Toth & Erika Babins
Senior Theatre Troupe
Pre-professional (ages 15–19)
Launch your acting career with intensive voice training, fine-tuned movement technique, non-verbal exercises, and professional rehearsal methods. This yearlong program develops the actor’s process and stretches your abilities in finding voice and emotional connection. In Fall, students focus on process, connection to breath, and scene work. Winter and Spring immerse you in mounting a production to tour Metro Vancouver schools.
Your work is on stage during Winter Shorts at Performance Works, as well as the Expressions Theatre Festival at the Waterfront Theatre. Past productions have included: ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged” (2017),”Julius Ceasar” (2016), “The Martian Chronicles” (2015), “Romeo and Juliet” (2014), and “Oh What A Lovely War” (2013).
Director: Paul Moniz de Sá
Young Directors Program
Pre-professional (ages 16–21)
Go behind the scenes! Learn how to get the most out of an actor’s performance. Young Directors work alongside professional designers and a Pre-professional Theatre Troupe Director to see what it takes to put on a show. You direct your own scene for Winter Shorts in Fall, and then assist to direct year-end shows at Waterfront Theatre.
Students are accepted by application only. Acceptance is by approval. To apply, contact Paul Moniz de Sá, Artistic Director, Theatre & Music.
Film Actors’ Clinic
Pre-professional (Ages 13–21)
Finding confidence in front of the lens can be tough to master, that’s why we tailored a program to help students bring comfort and strength to their on-screen performances. In these 3-hour sessions, students will work with authentic audition materials while they delve into script analysis, audition techniques and connection. Scenes that are filmed in class will be available to take home- a helpful learning tool that doubles as footage for future demo reels. During this class, Industry professionals will be invited to share their casting, auditioning, and on set experiences. Learn how to navigate popular genres in Vancouver’s current film and television climate and join us for a showcase where you can impress agents on the lookout for new talent.
Students are accepted by application only. Acceptance is by approval. To apply, contact Paul Moniz de Sá, Artistic Director, Theatre & Music.
Improv Troupe
Tuesdays 6–9 pm (at South Surrey, N116 – 15850 26 Ave, Morgan Crossing, South Surrey)
Take your improvisation skills to the next level. Gain self confidence and learn to think on your feet in this exciting new Improv Troupe at Arts Umbrella’s South Surrey location. Work with other creative minds to devise an original improv show that will tour to schools across the lower mainland. Express yourself and showcase your work with public performance opportunities throughout the year.
For more information please contact theatre@artsumbrella.com
