About the Program
The Arts Umbrella Pre-Professional Theatre Program stages its intensive training from September to June. Our rich curriculum and program structure offers aspiring actors and directors a space in which to sharpen their skills through vocal, movement, and theatre exercises that help develop teamwork, cooperation, discipline, technique, creative expression, and individual artistry.
Industry professionals lead students to explore their full artistic potential, whatever the venue. Many of our students have gone on to post-secondary theatre programs as well as professional acting careers across the continent.
Auditions
Admission to the Pre-Professional Theatre Program is by audition only. Auditions take place in June and September. Participants will be placed according to age, experience, skill, schedule, and goals.
Apply for the 2020/21 season
The health of our students, staff, and families is our top priority. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, all auditions for our Pre-Professional Theatre Programs will be over Zoom.
Pre-Professional Troupes and Programs
Junior Theatre Troupe
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. During the Winter and Spring sessions, this Troupe focuses on mounting a professional production for Expressions Festival that will also tour Metro Vancouver elementary schools.
Director: Susanne Moniz de Sá
Labratory Theatre Troupe
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
Ages 13-19
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.
Directors: Andy Toth & Erika Babins
Senior Theatre Troupe
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 immerses this Troupe in mounting a production for Expressions Festival that also tours to Metro Vancouver schools.
Director: Paul Moniz de Sá
Young Directors Program
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.
Shakespeare Troupe (Coming 2021)
But soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
Arts Umbrella Theatre & Music is excited to announce a new Shakespeare-focused Pre-Professional Theatre Troupe. Through in-depth text and character analysis, students will explore the imagery behind the poetry and discover the timeless relevance of the themes of Shakespeare’s plays. Bring your love for the Bard to the stage. Students showcase their work as a part of Winter Shorts and Expressions Festival, as well as other performance opportunities throughout the year.
Sketch Comedy Troupe
Ages 12-15
Be bold and take your comedic improv skills to a new level with the Sketch Comedy Troupe at Arts Umbrella’s South Surrey location. Through a mixture of improvisation and writing, young actors will build skills that benefit them on the stage and in everyday life. Industry professionals will help you develop your technique, discipline, and artistry. Work with other creative minds to devise and perform an original Sketch Comedy Show that will tour to schools across Metro Vancouver as well as other public performances throughout the year.
The Sketch Comedy Troupe does not require an audition. To be considered for this program, please complete the application at this link.
For more information please contact theatre@artsumbrella.com