Half Day Professional Training Program in Performing Arts
Professional Training Program
About the Program
This performing arts program provides intensive instruction, professional coaching, and mentorship in musical theatre, theatre, and/or film acting. Students have opportunities to perform and showcase their work throughout the year, including our annual festivals in summer and winter.
The program includes 20 to 25 hours per week of professional teaching artist and guest artist instruction, providing advanced instruction in singing and musicianship, acting tools and techniques, theatrical creation, stagecraft, and movement and a private voice lesson every week.
Students will be given the tools to prepare mentally and physically for the demands of a career in the performing arts.
Academics
With more options than ever to support online and distributed learning, it has never been easier to combine high-level performing arts training and academics.
Many students will choose to attend Magee Secondary School’s SPARTS program. Other options include King George Secondary, home schooling, and distributed learning. The Province of British Columbia has launched a new Learning Management System to help more students learn independently from wherever they are.
Academic Options:
SpARTS at Magee Secondary School
Distributed Learning through Self Design
Flexible learning options online through the Government of British Columbia
Audition Process
If you would like to be considered for the program you must fill out the below application form. Upon submission, you will be assigned a 15-mintue audition slot. Entry to the program is by audition only.
Musical Theatre Stream
If you would like to be considered for the Musical Theatre stream you must prepare a song from the Musical Theatre canon. Make sure you have sheet music to bring with you to your audition. Sheet music can be found in hard copy at libraries, or online at resources including composer’s personal websites.
You must also learn this dance combo posted posted on Vimeo (password: TMFAudition). For rehearsal purposes, “Building Momentum (Reprise)” from “How to Dance in Ohio” can be found on Youtube and Spotify (the combo starts at around 0:32). Music will provided at the audition.
Theatre Stream
If you would like to be considered for the Theatre stream you must memorize and prepare a monologue from a published play. Choose a piece that speaks to you and make sure you read the play to get as much information about the character and story as possible.
Additionally, you must learn this mime sequence posted at on Vimeo (password: THAudition)
Film Stream
If you would like to be considered for the Film stream you must memorize and prepare a monologue from a published play. Choose a piece that speaks to you and make sure you read the play to get as much information about the character and story as possible.
You must also prepare this film scene to be read with a reader at your audition. You may choose whichever character you’d like and a reader will play the scene with you at your audition.
Questions? Email Erika Babins, [email protected], for more information.
Tuition
Tuition costs for 2025/26 are $8,600 including all instructional hours, rehearsals, technical rehearsals, performance fees, and production costs.
Finances should never prevent a young person from participating in the arts. As a non-profit organization, Arts Umbrella is committed to making our programs accessible to as many students as possible. The Arts Umbrella Bursary Fund allows hundreds of students to register in tuition-based programs at a reduced rate, based on your family’s financial need. Applications for bursary funding are open to everyone. To view eligibility and submission details visit our bursaries and scholarships page.