Troupes, Programs, and Classes
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 and Come Together Festivals 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 and Come Together Festivals at Performance Works, as well as the Expressions Theatre Festival at the Waterfront Theatre.
Senior Musical Theatre Troupe
Pre-professional (ages 15–19)
Cue the music! The Musical Theatre Troupe undergoes intensive training with professional musical theatre artists to gain valuable ensemble and solo performance experience, and make the connection between performer and audience. Polish your audition repertoire, develop your actor’s voice, and learn advanced singing, dancing, and acting techniques.
You’ll perform as part of the Winter Shorts and Come Together Festivals at Performance Works, and then rehearse and mount a full-length musical as a part of the Expressions Theatre Festival at the Waterfront Theatre in May. Past productions have included: “Urinetown” (2017), “Drowsy Chaperone” (2016), “Bring It On” [2015], “Little Women” (2014), and “Pippin” (2013).
Director: Andy Toth
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 and Come Together 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.
Junior Musical Theatre Troupe
Pre-professional (ages 13–16)
Cue the music! The Junior Musical Theatre Troupe undergoes intensive training with professional musical theatre artists to gain valuable ensemble and solo performance experience, and make the connection between performer and audience. Polish your audition repertoire, develop your actor’s voice, and learn advanced singing, dancing, and acting techniques. Rehearse and mount a Broadway Junior production as well as share your work in musical cabarets throughout the year.
Other performance opportunities include the Winter Shorts Festival, Come Together and the Arts Umbrella Expressions Theatre Festival.
Director: Cassandra Frederickson
