Semester Dates
Fall
Sept 19 to Nov 28, 2011
Winter
Jan 16 to April 2, 2012
Spring
April 10 to June 25, 2012
Summer
July 3 to August 9, 2012
Timetable - Fall 2011
| ------- EVENING Programming ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||||
| Sunday | Playwrighting | Finding Your Voice | ||
| Monday | Get into the Act: Lvl 3 | Improvise the Act Lvl 1 | Acting Camera Intro | YogaSense |
| Tuesday | Get into the Act: Lvl 1 | Improvise the Act Lvl 2 | ||
| Wednesday | Get into the Act: Lvl 2 | Improvise the Act Lvl 3 | Acting Camera Advanced | Musical Theatre |
| Thursday | Drama Sensations | Finding Your Voice | Acting Camera Intermediate | |
| Friday | Dance Tapas | |||
All courses are 10 weeks long, unless otherwise specified.
GET INTO THE ACT
Level 1 is a great introduction to lots of new skills. Whatever your age or experience, you’ll be energized as you learn how to play theatre games that will strengthen your powers of concentration and your creativity. You’ll increase your ability to be spontaneous in any situation, and surprise yourself by discovering new facets of yourself. No previous experience is required.
Tuesdays 7:00 – 9:00pm
September 20 to November 22, 2011
Course fee: $300.00 + tax |
 |
Level 2 is a chance to explore the dynamics of social relationships. You’ll use your voice and physicality to learn about character development. Understanding and working with impulses, you'll discover a whole new level of creative expression.
Level 1 or previous experience is required.
Wednesday 7:00 – 9:00pm
September 21 to November 23, 2011
Course fee: $300.00 + tax |
|
Level 3 (Scenes and Monologues). In level 3 you will work with scripted scenes and monologues to find and explore characters and rhythms in the text. Taking the skills that you have learned in Levels 1 & 2, you'll begin to discover your individual strengths as an actor.
Level 2 or previous experience is required.
Mondays 7:00 – 9:00pm
September 19 to November 21, 2011
Course fee: $350.00 + tax |
|
DANCE TAPAS
Spice up your Friday nights with (Dance TAPAS)!!! Each week a new dance style will be taught and then put together in a small choreography. Some dance styles will be Ballet, Jazz, Salsa and Bellydance just to name a few. Classes will start with a head to toe warm-up and end with a relaxing cool down.
All ages and body types welcome.Learn different dance styles from Jazz, Ballet, Latin and creative movement. Add a new dimension to how you enjoy music. All that is needed is an open mind and a good sense of fun!!
Fridays 7:00 – 8:00pm (1 hour)
September 23 to November 25, 2011
Course fee: $165.00 + tax |
|
MUSICAL THEATRE
Find your inner Diva! Musical Theatre for Adults is a great evening of play in the best musical theatre traditions of singing, acting and dancing. A great stress reliever, the class is a perfect get away for adults who like to dream. No background or previous experience is required. Just come with a willingness to try. All levels of ability welcome.
Wednesdays 7:00 – 9:00pm
September 21 to November 23, 2011
Course fee: $365.00 + tax |
|
PLAYWRIGHT’S WORKSHOP
TELLING THE THEATRICAL STORY: What makes a play work? What makes writing for the theatre a special and unique art form? Participants will complete exercises during class time designed to stimulate the imagination to create interesting plots, characters and dialogue. Playwrights will receive constructive one-on-one feedback on their work and workshop readings will be held for a small invited audience. This class will take you from concept to creation. Presented in a workshop format.
Instructor: TBA
Sundays 6:30 – 8:30pm
September 25 to November 27, 2011
Course fee: $365.00 + tax |
|
DRAMA SENATIONS NEW!
DRAMA SENSATIONS (For Adults on the Autism Spectrum)
In collaboration with the Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre, OSSD is launching classes designed for students with Asperger's syndrome, and/or those on the Autism Spectrum with related special needs. Our programming is created and implemented with specific consideration for the needs and abilities of each child, with a focus on the individual and their creativity.
In the classes, students will explore how to clearly express and read all of the senses through the medium of an actors' "tool box": facial expressions, body language and tone of voice. Fifty percent of an actor's job is acting and the other fifty percent is reacting. We’ll use drama to play with both acting and reacting while embodying fun from familiar stories and our imaginations.
Students will learn how to construct clear stories by creating wonderful characters and placing them in dramatic conflicts. The stories will end with clear resolutions, helping students to construct a narrative. As an ensemble we will also explore the range of expression possible through voice and body. Each term will culminate with an open house presentation for family and friends. The emphasis is on process in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Please contact the school to book an appointment with the instructor for placement in the class. Classes are kept small to ensure maximum individual attention.
Thursdays 6:30 – 8:30pm
September 22 to November 24, 2011
Course fee: $350.00 + tax |
|
IMPROVISE THE ACT
Level 1 The ability to improvise is a life skill -- reacting spontaneously to external stimuli can help you entertain a crowd, get a date and get you through a job interview. It’s a very important part of teamwork, creativity, writing, listening, public speaking, corporate presentation skills, and acting. This course gets to the heart of improvisation by tapping into the secret powers that everyone possesses but few utilize. No experience necessary. Be ready to play.
Mondays, 7:00 –9:30pm
October 3, to November 28, 2011
Course fee: $300.00 + tax |
|
Level 2 With the fundamentals of Level 1 in place, Level 2 works on helping you develop spontaneous characters, scene environments and mimed objects. Using the positive and productive "yes, and...” principle, we will explore the WHO, WHERE, and WHAT of improvised scenes. From scene starters to full length scenes, you can experience the fun, creativity and spontaneity of storytelling from the inside.
Tuesdays 7:00 –9:30pm
October 11 to November 29, 2011
Course fee: $300.00 + tax |
|
Level 3 This course delves into improvised scene work by adding WHY each scene is important and HOW it can be resolved. In multi-person scene after scene after scene, you will gain experience in ensemble acting, focus, and the ability to let go and allow natural, believable theatre to be created.
Wednesdays, 7:00 –9:30pm
October 5 to November 23, 2011
Course fee: $325.00 + tax |
|
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA
In association with The Screen Training Works, OSSD presents an expanded series of Acting for the Camera courses. The Screen Training Works provides professional training in all areas of film, television and other recorded media. Courses include acting, directing, producing, screenwriting and the various technical disciplines.
Registration for Acting for the Camera courses is through The Screen Training Works. Please contact registration@thescreentrainingworks.ca or phone 613-526-5199.
For more information on Acting for the Camera courses, please go to www.thescreentrainingworks.ca/courses.
Note: Veteran screen actor and acting instructor Barry Blake teaches these Acting for the Camera courses. They are intensive, practical, hands-on sessions that prepare participants for the day-to-day realities of the film and television industries.
Classes take place at The Ottawa School of Speech & Drama (OSSD)
Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all camera courses are 7 weeks long.
Introductory: This workshop is intended for aspiring or beginning actors with little or no on-camera experience. It provides an introduction to the art, the craft and the business of screen acting. Through a combination of acting exercises, on-camera work, feedback and group discussion, you will learn the fundamentals of preparing for and delivering an on-camera performance.
You’ll focus on:
- Script analysis and memorization
- Making character choices
- Camera versus stage
- Working effectively on camera
- Analyzing your work to improve your performance
No previous experience required.
Mondays 7:00 – 10:00pm
September 19 to November 21, 2011
Course fee: $450.00 + tax |
 |
Intermediate: Intended for the more experienced actor with some on-camera background, this workshop builds on the foundation laid down at the introductory level. In it, you will hone your skills as a screen actor and prepare to take your performances to a higher level. Through recorded scene work and feedback sessions, you will move beyond the fundamentals of on-camera performance and explore the differences between a good and a truly memorable performance.
You’ll focus on:
- Script analysis and interpretation
- Reality and Truth
- Creating and sustaining strong characters
- Active listening
- The camera-actor relationship
- Analyzing your work to improve your performance
Introductory level or previous experience required.
Thursdays 7:00 – 10:00pm
September 22 to November 24, 2011
Course fee: $450.00 + tax |
|
Advanced: This workshop is intended for the experienced actor with significant on-camera experience. Building both on your experience and on the skills acquired in previous courses, it enables you to consolidate and fine-tune your skills as a screen actor in order to create unique performances of great intensity and truth. When possible, you will work on original material in collaboration with emerging screenwriters and filmmakers.
You’ll focus on:
- Script analysis and interpretation
- The collaborative model
- Creating and sustaining strong characters
- Emotional truth and connection
- Expanding the envelope
- Analyzing your work to improve your performance
Intermediate level or previous experience required.
Wednesdays, 7:00 –10:00pm
September 21 to November 23, 2011
Course fee: $450.00 + tax |
|
FINDING YOUR VOICE
Learn how to tap into the power of your voice in a natural, simple and enjoyable way, exploring your voice as a source of personal expression and creativity.
The class will focus on release of sound, breathing, resonance, techniques to improve your speech and diction. This is an essential class for anyone who presents on stage. Finding Your Voice will make you aware of your own power of communication.
Thursdays: 7:00 – 9:00pm
September 22 to November 24, 2011
Course fee: $320.00 + tax |
|
or
Sundays 7:00 – 9:00pm
September 25 to November 27, 2011
Course fee: $320.00 + tax |
|
Ottawa Theatre School, The Acting Conservatory Program
 |
 |
|
| The Ottawa Theatre School offers an opportunity for dedicated students to develop the skills they need for a career in acting. The Ottawa Theatre School is an intensive three year program in which students train with committed theatre professionals. The program encourages students to begin to find their own artistic voice while honing specific skills. The Ottawa Theatre School is registered as a private career college under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005. This is a diploma program. |
||
For more information, click here
PRIVATE CLASSES
Instructors at OSSD offer private classes to develop vocal skills or to deal with specific vocal issues. Specialized sessions are available in a variety of training areas such as dialects, body awareness, classical text work (Shakespeare, Moliere etc.) and audition preparation. These sessions are individually tailored to suit your needs and can be flexibly arranged to fit your schedule.
Private classes cost $85.00 per hour with a minimum of a 4 session commitment. It’s $95/hour otherwise. Please call the office for details.