Classes at the TAS

Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer | Private Coaching

Winter sessions at The Actors Studio (TAS) run from Jan. 12 to April 5. Check out the dates below for more detail on weekly summer sessions.

Spring sessions at TAS will begin April 6. Check out the dates below for more detail on weekly summer sessions.

Winter Session Begins: Jan. 12, 2009 (12 weeks
Spring Session Begins: April 6, 2009 (10 weeks)

Fall Sessions
Please check back at a later date for sessions.

Winter Sessions
Improvisation Classes

Improv For Kids: Mondays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
10 weeks, $135 (Ages 6-9)
Improvisation for kids focuses on teaching students the rules and guidelines of improvisation, as well as encouraging students to express their opinions and thoughts confidently and without judgment. There are four main components to learning improvisation; listening, positive thinking, acceptance of ideas, and communication. The guidelines of improvisation can be used as tools to help students create a strong social and ethical foundation for themselves as they grow as individuals. Improvisation is used as a team building tool for many corporate companies, as well as a confidence building techniques in schools. At TAS we teach the art form, not only to help students develop as improvisers, but to also help them grow into the amazing young adults they are meant to be. If your child has a knack for comedy, or if your child is looking to express his or her creativity, Improv For Kids is where they should be!

Improv For Adults: Mondays, 8 to 9 p.m.
10 weeks, $135 (Ages 18 and up)
Our improvisation classes are of the highest standard; however don’t let that scare you into thinking that we are too advanced for adults out there looking to break out of their shell! Many adults take classes with us to help them in social, business, and presentation skills. Improvisation’s rules and guidelines also aid those wanting to improve their communication skills. If you have an itch to try the funny or you want to improve your presentation skills, no matter what your reason, our adult improvisation class is definitely for you. We even make you perform in public! I know, we’re mean, but you’ll thank us for it when you hear the roar of the audience’s laughter! Take a chance, and check out our Improv For Adults class!

Comedy Classes

The Comedy Hour: Thursdays, 6 to 7 p.m.
10 weeks, $150 (Ages 13-18)
Students have tackled everything from Lucille Ball to Seinfeld in this class of overachieving comedians! The Comedy Hour is full of different sketch, sitcom, and comedic film scenes that can be adapted for the stage. Our students dig deep beneath the surface and work vigorously to find the root of the ultimate comedic scenes. If you like comedy, and you want to be serious about what’s funny in the world of entertainment, then this is the class for you!

The Scriptwriter Series

Scriptwriting for Teens: Tuesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
10 weeks, $135 (Ages 10 - 18)
Scriptwriting for Adults: Tuesdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
10 weeks, $135 (Ages 19 and up)
Scriptwriting is a very independent craft. Students, young or old, will take the opportunity to write a new piece of work or adapt something out of their writing repertoire. They will tackle structure, technique, and play development throughout each semester. At the end of each semester, the students will showcase their work at The Scriptwriters Series at the historical Peel Heritage Complex.

Writers as Directors Program: Tuesdays, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Full year commitment, $450 (Ages 10 and up)
Have you ever wanted to write your own one act play, audition your own actors, and direct a piece of work that you have written? If so,  this is the place for you. TAS is proud to present the Writers as Directors Program. Students will spend six months writing a one act play based on a vision discussed with the Program Director. Students will meet three times a month to read through, edit and adapt their scripts. In February 2009, the students enrolled in the program will hold auditions, giving all students currently enrolled in the acting, improv or comedy class an opportunity to strut their stuff in a new piece of Canadian theatre. Students will turn from writing to directing and will direct their own scripts, rehearsing once a week with their cast. They will work towards a performance night, where students writers, directors and actors can showcase their work. Pull out the laptops and director chairs….we have a show to create!!!!!  *Pre-Requisite: Must have taken an acting or scriptwriting class previously.

Vocal & Piano

In 2007 TAS began the Vocal Performance Program, guiding students who had previously been trained vocally to the art of being a vocal entertainer. The program soared to new heights, so much so that we have had to break things up, in order to make sure everyone receives the training they need at the level they need it. In September 2008 we will say hello to a new private vocal lesson program, a private vocal package that has a rock star edge to it, piano lessons so that we can create the next Elton John or Diana Krall, and of course the transformation of our TAS Rockstars into a troupe/band that will tour the GTA. Please read carefully and see what program best suits your needs as a performer and vocalist. If you have questions please speak with Kristine Marchese, Director of The Actors Studio, regarding what would be best for you or your little rock star.

Private Vocal and Piano Lessons
The Actor Studio Vocal Instructors will guide students through vocal warm ups, technical vocal training, song selection, and song preparation. Students and parents can choose from a one hour lesson or a half hour lesson, to take place on a weekly basis for 10 weeks. Each of our vocal students will work towards preparation of a song for our end of semester cabaret style productions. Our goal is to work with your child to help them gain confidence and training in both vocal and performance.

One hour vocal lesson - $55 per lesson
Thirty minutes vocal lesson - $30 per lesson
One hour piano lesson - $55 per lesson
Thirty minutes piano lesson - $30 per lesson

Combo lesson: 30 minutes piano and 30 minutes vocal, $55 per lesson

Lessons times available Thursdays, 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays,  10 a.m.to 3 p.m.
Students are required to sign up for a 10 week program.
Private Coaching is available on an individual lesson basis

The Rock Crew!

Private Vocal Lessons with a Rockstar EDGE!
This 2008-09 season TAS will continue with the Rockstar program offering students two different ways to find their inner rockstar! THE ROCKSTAR EDGE!

If students sign up for a private vocal 10 week session, they can add the Rockstar EDGE to their already existing package for an additional $160. This additional cost would cover the musical arrangement by Enzo Lapadula, which if any of you had the pleasure of experiencing our vocalists from last year, will know creates a top notch arrangement. Want to hear for yourself? Check out the Media Page and see what we’re talking about. It would also cover an hour rehearsal with Enzo and the created music, as well as two hours of vocal performance training with Kristine Marchese. Our 2007-08 Rockstars will back us up when we say, we are the best to have ever hit Brampton.

The Rockstars Crew
TAS Rockstar Vocal Performance Program
If you have had previous vocal training and are looking to up your game in the world of pop/rock entertainment, than we have a program for you! Over a 10 week period we will take you through TAS’ School of Rock! Students will have three private 30 minute vocal lessons, musical arrangement recorded and played by Enzo Lapadula, a one hour rehearsal with the arrangement with an mp3 recording and a two hour vocal performance session with Kristine Marchese, all for $250. Student will perform their rock song or ballad at our end of semester cabaret style productions, and will receive a live recording of their song post production.

Film Classes

TAS film classes are by far the best in town, and we can say that because we have some of the best instructors currently working in the entertainment industry. Our film classes focus on audition technique, on-camera tricks of the trade, and scene study. We encourage beginners to take a class as well as veteran actors who are well versed in the art of on-camera acting. TAS provides mock film shoots, to prepare students for what it would be like to be on a real film shoot. We edit the footage shot and provide each student with a DVD copy of their class’ scenes and monologues. At the end of each semester, the classes gather for a Premiere Film Screening, where we dim the lights and watch the short scenes and films that the students have worked so hard on, complete with popcorn and beverages! Our film classes guarantee audition/film shoot preparation and of course a whole lot of fun.

Lil Film Actors : Wednesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
10 weeks, $150 per session (Ages 8-12)

On-Camera Teens : Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8 p.m
10 weeks, $165 per session (Ages 12 – 18)

On-Camera Adults: Wednesday 8 to 9 p.m.
10 weeks, $165 per session (Ages 19 and up)

Acting / Dance Troupes

TAS students participating in our on-stage acting classes leave with a tremendous amount of performance knowledge, a diverse understanding of theatrical styles, and they even dabble in a little Shakespeare. We want our students to have a great deal of fun, while learning the art of stage acting, time management, memorization, characterization, vocal warm up and projection. In the past, our classes have lived in 1969, walked in the Shakespeare’s shoes by creating their very own adaptations and they have perfected the art of performing monologues! Our acting students will also be encouraged to audition for our Scriptwriters in early 2009as they will be presenting their new pieces of Canadian Theatre in June 2009. We’ll keep you posted! This audition process is only open to those students currently enrolled at TAS. We’ll see you at the Complex!

Pint Sized Pacinos: Wednesdays, 5:30 to 6 p.m.
10 weeks, $70 per session, (Ages 3-5)

Act 1: Wednesdays, 6 to 7 p.m.
10 weeks, $135 per session (Ages 6-9)

Act 2: Wednesdays, 7 to 8 p.m.
10 weeks, $135 per session (Ages 10-12)

Act 3: Wednesdays, 8 to 9 p.m.
10 weeks, $135 per session (Ages 13-18)

TAS Dance Troupes
TAS dance troupes are forces to be reckoned with! The Young Company puts out killer combinations in hip hop, lyrical, jazz and sometimes a little tap. The Dance Crew is smooth and on fire, mixing dance styles and attitude to perfection. Our goal is to increase technique, and spatial awareness when dancing, along with adding the attitude and star quality that is needed to make any dance combination an entertaining one! Whether you have been dancing for years or are a beginner, our Dance Crew and the Young Company work together to help one another create solid dance pieces that stand alone as high quality productions! Come on! Join us, and get your groove on.

The Young Company: Tuesdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
10 weeks, $135 per session (Ages 8-11)

Private Coaching Available
Acting & Dance
TAS provides 30 or 60 minute private coaching sessions for students. Students can sign up for a 10 week program, or as auditions come they can call Kristine Marchese and book a session. Availability for individual coaching session is based on instructor availability. Students that look to book for a 10 week program can expect to learn theatre or dance history, script or choreography analysis, and audition tips for cold readings or dance auditions. Private coaching sessions provide one on one instruction for the students personal monologue repertoire and dance technique.

Individual Coaching Sessions: $35 for 30 minutes // $60 for 60 minutes

Private Acting/Dance 10 week Program: $30 for 30 minutes // $55 for 60 minutes

Hooligans History:
In September 2007, TAS held auditions to find Brampton’s best youth improvisers, and found them we did. The elite group of 12 began working with Kristine Marchese (Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, The Second City) and Marco Timpano ( The Second City, LA Comedy Festival) to develop strong improvisational and sketch comedy writing skills. In early October, the troupe found a name for themselves, The Hooligans. On the heels of finding an appropriate troupe name, the witty group of 12 began improvising and writing such shows as “On With The Snow”, “Knock, Knock, Hoo-ligans there?”, “$15 All You Can Laugh Buffet” and of course their first full length sketch revue, “Those Paint Chips Were Tasty” which played for one show only at The Second City in Toronto. The Hooligans are professional, driven, and possibly some of the funniest kids to come out of Brampton!

New Season, New Hooligan!
In July 2008 the group must say good bye to one of its members, as they head off to University life which means TAS will host auditions in September 2008 to find their newest member of The Hooligans!

Thursdays, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
$425 for full year (September to July, $142 per semester) Ages 14-18

* By audition only Sept. 3, 2008. To schedule an audition, e-mail theactorsstudio@dytproductions.com

The Thugs

In September 2007, TAS launched its first ever improv/sketch troupe called The Hooligans. Since their creation, The Hooligans have gone on to perform at The Rose Theatre, Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People and the acclaimed Second City. The Thugs will be the most recent addition to TAS, acting as the place for the up and coming improv stars to make their debut and train to become one of our elite Hooligans in coming years.

TAS will audition students in September 2008, and will choose a group of 12 to make up The Thugs. The troupe will rehearse once a week, they will have one in house show at the Peel Heritage Complex, and they will open for The Hooligans for one of their productions. This is an intense rehearsal process, but will prove to be fun for all involved.

Mondays, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
$375 for full year (September to July) Ages 10-13
*By audition only on Sept. 3, 2008. To schedule an audition, e-mail theactorsstudio@dytproductions.com

The Rockstars Troupe

2008 marked the year of the rockers!
TAS vocal program is different than most in Brampton. Our students are exposed to the classic rock, blues, country and pop rock that span over several decades. We provide a full band sound and the supreme electric guitar styling of Enzo Lapadula. Our students are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and try new music, new vocals, and new ways of performance strategy. Our TAS Rockstar Troupe performed at each of TAS’ end of semester cabaret style productions and they began TAS Concert Series by performing at Hugh’s Room concert venue in Toronto. We pride ourselves on providing the students with the most authentic concert experience and our Rockstars Troupe will be performing at several venues throughout the GTA beginning September 2008.

Ages 12 and up, $550 for full year (Sept.-June, $183 per semester)

*By audition only on Sept. 4, 2008. To schedule an audition, e-mail theactorsstudio@dytproductions.com

Spring Sessions
Please check back at a later date for sessions.

Summer Sessions
Please check back at a later date for sessions.