Expressive Body with Dreda Blow
Tues. Feb 25, 4pm – 6pm

Join dance-theatre artist Dreda Blow as we explore the expressive capacity of our bodies through dance improvisation techniques, games, and creative play. Absolutely no dance experience is necessary– this workshop is fun, gentle, and adaptable to all physical abilities.
Dreda will guide us on an exploration of impulse, presence, the expressive use of the breath, spine, and torso, and approaches to creating physical language from text and imagery, as we share many laughs along the way!
Cost: $25 ($20 for subscribers, students, arts workers, under-employed)
Age: 14 +
Number of participants is limited to 12: Book your spot today!
Dreda Blow is a dance-theatre artist, choreographer, and arts educator now based in Nogojiwanong/ Peterborough. She started her professional dancing career with Het Nationale Ballett in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, later joining Northern Ballet in the U.K from 2007-2018 and elevating through the ranks to principal dancer. Dreda has also performed in Hong Kong, Beijing, Bangkok, Berlin, and Salzburg, and worked with Cape Town City Ballet in South Africa and the Latvian National Ballet in Riga.
Take 5! Wellbeing for Theatre Artists with Nicolle Nattrass
Thurs. Feb 27, 4pm – 6pm

This workshop is designed to address the unique challenges faced by theatre artists (including production & admin). It will provide a safe space for participants to look at their own challenges and stressors in our broader environment, as well as exploring 5 different tools to enhance and maintain mental well-being. This workshop fosters community and strengthens support systems for all.
Tools and Takeaways:
• Uplift and offer solutions that validate demands as theatre artists, decrease stress, and boost mental well-being.
• Participants will experience five accessible tools for actor self-care and overall mental well-being.
• Peer-to-peer support, increasing connection, sharing and community building.
• Group guided journaling reflection exercise and introduction to journaling as a key therapeutic strategy.
• Mental health resources and support networks.
Cost: $25 ($20 for subscribers, students, arts workers, under-employed)
Age: 14 +
Number of participants is limited to 12: Book your spot today!
Nicolle’s work in a post-pandemic world is grounded in two industries: as an actor, playwright, dramaturge, and director, as well as a coach and Addiction Counselor CAC II (CCPC Global/ Canadian Council of Professional Certification). Nicolle possesses a deep understanding of the demands and challenges of performing arts and the importance of protecting mental wellbeing along with creative processes and goals.
Auditioning for Theatre Schools with M. John Kennedy
Fri. Feb 28, 4pm – 6pm

Are you considering going to a college or university to study acting? Do you have to audition to get in? Do you know what they are looking for?
This workshop is for anyone getting ready for a theatre school audition, or anyone wanting to work on their auditioning and acting skills. We will teach you practical skills and questions to ask that will make your acting more believable and interesting.
What to prepare? It is recommended that you prepare a memorized monologue to work on (ideally from a full-length contemporary play that you have read), but if you don’t have one prepared, don’t let that stop you from attending to learn more about the auditioning process.
Cost: $25 ($20 for subscribers, students, arts workers, under-employed)
Number of participants is limited to 12: Book your spot today!
M. John Kennedy is the Head of the Acting Program at Randolph College for the Performing Arts (randolphcollege.ca). He has over 20 years of experience teaching Acting, Stage Combat, Improvisation, Theatre History and Professional Development.
Intro to Mask Play with Mark Wallace
Sun. March 2, 10am – 12pm

Why should performers today learn about playing in mask?
Do you ever conceal parts of yourself around others, limiting what you show to the world about who you are? Of course you do, we all do; we all feel self-conscious and limit ourselves at times. What we wear, how we move, how we speak, all of it changes how we appear to others in the world.
When you put on a theatrical mask, however, it can transform you. It can unlock hidden physicality and emotion that you might keep locked away. By concealing the face, you reveal parts of yourself you might not otherwise show.
In this intro to mask play, participants will learn about how, when, and why different kinds of masks are used in theatrical performance and training. You will have the chance to experience mask play and he physical and vocal work needed to make masks come to life. Our objective is for you to push your boundaries as a performer, to transform your everyday self, to play freely, to laugh and to learn.
All are welcome, regardless of experience.
Cost: $25 ($20 for subscribers, students, arts workers, under-employed)
Number of participants is limited to 12: Book your spot today!
Mark has been creating and performing in masks on stage and screen and teaching new mask students to play for over 25 years. He has a fabulous collection of theatrical teaching masks (Commedia, Greek, larval, character), made by Trish Leeper and by Esther Dragonieri. Mark is the Artistic Director of New Stages Theatre in Peterborough.