Semester Dates

Fall
Sept 20 to Nov 29, 2010

Winter
Jan 17 to March 28, 2011

Spring
April 10 to June 19, 2011


Summer
July 5 to August 11, 2011

 

Timetable - Winter 2011

------- DAYTIME Programming ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
MORNING
AFTERNOON
Wednesday

 

------- EVENING Programming ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday Playwrighting Musical Theatre Finding Your Voice Dance Fusion
Monday Acting for Camera Introductory YogaSense    
Tuesday Get into the Act: Lvl 1 Improvise the Act Lvl 2    
Wednesday Get into the Act: Lvl 2 Get into the Act: Lvl 3 Acting for Camera Advanced Musical Theatre
Thursday Improvise the Act Lvl 1 Improvise the Act Lvl 3 Acting for Camera Intermediate Finding Your Voice
Friday Playwrighting Belly Dance    

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.


Tuesday
7:00 – 9:00pm
January 18, 2011 to March 22, 2011

Course fee: $285.00 + g.s.t. online registration


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
January 19, 2011 to March 23, 2011

Course fee: $285.00 + g.s.t. online registration

 

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.

Wednesday 7:00 – 9:00pm
January 19, 2011 to March 23, 2011

Course fee: $325.00 + g.s.t. online registration

 

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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.

Wednesday 7:00 – 9:00pm
January 19, 2011 to March 23, 2011

Course fee: $350.00 + tax online registration

or

Sundays 7:00 – 9:00pm
January 23, 2011 to March 27, 2011

Course fee: $350.00 + tax online registration

 

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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: Paul Dervis

Fridays, 6:30 –8:30pm
January 21, 2011 to March 25, 2011

Course fee: $350.00 + tax online registration

Sundays 7:00 – 9:00pm
January 23, 2011 to March 27, 2011

Course fee: $350.00 + tax online registration

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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.

Thursday, 7:00 –9:00pm
January 20, 2011 to March 24, 2011

Course fee: $285.00 + g.s.t. online registration

 

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.

Tuesday, 7:00 –9:00pm
January 18, 2011 to March 22, 2011

Course fee: $285.00 + g.s.t. online registration

 

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.
This course is taught by CRUSH performers.

Thursday, 7:00 –9:00pm
January 20, 2011 to March 24, 2011

Course fee: $310.00 + g.s.t. online registration

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Join The Dance

Do you find yourself naturally moving to music, but have two left feet? Does the sound of drums make you want to dance? Well OSSD is proud to introduce our newFriday or Sunday night dance classes. All that is needed is a sense of fun and creativity.

Dance Fusion: 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!!

Sundays 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
January 23, 2011 to March 27, 2011

Course fee: $150.00 + tax online registration

Bellydance: Enjoy the ancient dance form that has travelled from the Middle East and capltured the west. Learn to move your body with twists, rolls and undulations. A great way to recapture your femininity, co-ordination and rythem! What a fun way to shake the week off!

Fridays 7:00 – 8:00pm
January 21, 2011 to March 25, 2011

Course fee: $150.00 + tax online registration

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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
January 17, 2011 to March 07, 2011

Course fee: $450.00 + tax online registration


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
January 20, 2011 to March 3, 2011

Course fee: $450.00 + tax online registration

 

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
January 19, 2011 to March 2, 2011

Course fee: $450.00 + tax online registration

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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
January 20, 2011 to March 24, 2011

Course fee: $350.00 + tax online registration

or

Sundays 7:00 – 9:00pm
January 23, 2011 to March 27, 2011

Course fee: $350.00 + tax online registration

 

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Ottawa Theatre School, The Acting Conservatory Program

Ottawa Theatre School  
The Acting Conservatory Program is designed for adult students who are serious about wantingto develop their skills toward a career in acting. Students take classes with some of Ottawa's top professional actors and directors and train in OSSD’s studios in Westboro.

The three-year conservatory training program runs from September to May, with 20 hours of classes per week condensed into 4 training days. The schedule allows students to maintain employment while attending the program. Small class sizes ensure that the program can be tailored to individual needs. This is a diploma program.

For more information, click here

 

 

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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.


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