Theatre Ontario Camp - Youth Courses
August 10 to 16, 2008

The Best Theatre Experience Of Your Life

Share the Theatre Ontario Camp experience with students from all over Ontario at Brock University in St. Catharines.  Theatre Ontario's Theatre Camp has been running since 1986 and have earned praise from drama teachers, theatre schools, community theatre and professional theatre people, agents and actors getting started in the business.

The courses will help participants to:

  • Strengthen their powers of concentration;
  • Stimulate imagination and creative powers;
  • Achieve a higher level of self-confidence and self-discipline;
  • Expand the ability to work and communicate with others.

For 2008, we are offering two courses:

The application deadline is June 30, 2008.
Click here to download a PDF course application form.  Enrollment is limited to 40 places for "The Theatrical Art" and 20 places for "Sing Out Louise! - Musical Theatre Performance Techniques And Tricks."

 

 

The Theatrical Art

There are three elements to "The Theatrical Art" course:

Clowning & The Pleasure Of Play!
With Sonia Norris

Explore your imagination, find your inspiration, expand your possibilities, release your fears, and discover your pleasure to be ridiculous!  Come delve into the world of the bizarre through the doorway of the clown's red nose.  Based on the teachings of European clowning genius Philippe Gaulier, this course will explore concepts of pleasure and play that are at the heart of all performing, and then move into finding each student's individual clown.  From there we will build characters working with costumes and props, discovering how to make bold choices and interact with an audience.  Come discover the power of play and the creativity of clown!  Extremely physical and guaranteed to be fast, furious fun!  Bring your camera and your willingness to take a risk!


Sonia Norris is Artistic Director of The Chaos Factory, an ensemble theatre company in Toronto creating new collaborative work based in clown and mask theatre.  They have presented their work at The Theatre Centre, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Artword Theatre, the NYC International Fringe (voted Best One Man Show) and the San Fran Fringe Festival (voted Pick of the Fringe).  In May 2007 they represented Canada at the HIFA Festival in Zimbabwe and will return May 2008 with a mask version of Ionesco's The Lesson and will devise a show with The Young Africa Centre.  Sonia graduated from the Playhouse Acting School and studied physical theatre in Europe at Ecole Lecoq and Ecole Philippe Gaulier, as well as at the Dell'Arte School of Physical Theatre in California.  She holds an MFA in directing from York University.  Sonia is on faculty at the University of Windsor's School of Dramatic Art where she directs and teaches acting, mask theatre, improvisation and devising ensemble theatre.  This year, she has been asked to guest teach at The National Theatre School of Canada, The Dell'Arte School of Physical Theatre, Laurentian University, Louisiana State University, and Loyola Marymount University in California.

 

 

Playwriting - Telling A Story
With Herbie Barnes

The playwriting course is the exploration of what a story is.  Looking into the great films and books to reveal what are the essential elements to creating adventures on the stage and on the page.


Herbie Barnes has spent two decades working and playing in the improvisation world, learning first with Toronto Theatresports and later with Second City Toronto (and then returning to both institutions to teach.)  Herbie has taken the skills learned and developed and taught across Canada in universities, schools and theatre companies.  Herbie also uses the tools in his work as a director, actor, playwright and dramaturge.

 

 

Stage Combat (Unarmed And Armed)
With Daniel Levinson

This is a physical acting course that covers the foundation techniques for stage combat.  The participants will learn how to work with a partner to create safe and visually-effective fighting techniques without weapons as well as with both long and short staves.  Quarterstaffs and Pilipino fighting sticks have been used for years to teach actors better use of their body, spatial awareness, and use of objects as the extension of their body.  The course will cover how to create the illusion of falling, throwing, blocking, striking, and choking.  These are the same techniques used by professional actors.


Daniel Levinson is the Artistic Director of Rapier Wit, Canada's oldest stage combat school and production company.  As well as being an actor, writer, and director, Daniel is a certified Fight Director and Instructor with Fight Directors Canada.  His FDC qualifications are recognized by the Societies of American, Australian, Nordic, New Zealand and British Fight Directors.  His fight direction and instruction credits include shows throughout Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, as well as the United States and Italy.  Daniel is the owner/operator of Canada's oldest stage combat school, Rapier Wit, and is the resident fight director and instructor of Theatre Erindale, Sheridan College and Canadore College.

 

 

Sing Out Louise! - Musical Theatre Performance Technique And Tricks


With Gerald Isaac

Confidence.  Poise.  Creativity.  This program gives students who love musical theatre an opportunity to act, sing, and dance; and to learn the skills necessary to audition and perform in musical theatre.  The course includes warm-ups, scene study, diction, articulation and projection.  Participants will experience the preparation, rehearsal and presentation of musical theatre in an enthusiastic and professional atmosphere.  Class Size: 20 participants.


Gerald Isaac - Actor, singer and dancer, Gerald was most recently seen as "Zazu" in The Lion King.  His career has taken him from North America to Europe and Asia, performing in the worlds of theatre, musical theatre and opera.  Gerald has taught, directed, acted as vocal coach, and given master classes to Ryerson Theatre School, Stratford Festival, Opera Atelier and Queenston Music Studio and has also acted as an off-ice communications teacher for figure skaters.

 

 

Theatre Ontario Camp Package Includes:

  • Your choice of course
  • an exciting 5 days of intensive theatre instruction
  • group warm-ups each morning
  • 3 buffet-style meals daily (including vegetarian fare)
  • single accommodation in residence at Brock University
  • planned social gatherings
  • contact with established professionals and group leaders who can answer questions about a career in theatre
  • a visit to the Shaw Festival
  • the opportunity to meet other talented students who share your enthusiasm and dedication to theatre
  • a closing night party
  • memories and friendships

Both courses begin the evening of Sunday August 10, with at least six hours of instruction each day.

 

 

Course Fees and Registration

Theatre Ontario Camp package is $975 (taxes included) (+ $45 if not already a Theatre Ontario student member; membership must be valid through September 2008.)

Enrolment is limited.  We accept payment by Visa, Mastercard, American Express and cheque.  Course fee must accompany application.  Register by fax at 416.408.3402, by mail, or in-person in our office.

Application Requirements

Please provide a copy of your student ID card or a photo of yourself; the names and phone numbers of two people (who will act as your references); and written answers to the following questions:

  • What is your theatre experience?
  • What do you hope to learn at summer courses?
  • What is the most important thing you would like to tell us about yourself?
  • How did you hear about Theatre Ontario’s camp?

 

 

Judy Silver Scholarship

The Judy Silver Scholarship provides financial support to youth attending Theatre Ontario's Youth Summer Courses.  Scholarship applications are due before June 2, 2008.  Incomplete applications or applications received after June 2 will not be considered.

Please click here for full information about the Judy Silver Scholarship.

 

 

Cancellation Policy

Payments are non-refundable after June 30, 2008.  Any cancellation must be in writing.  Theatre Ontario reserves the right to withdraw any course with full refund.

 

 

For The Parents

We have day and night counselors on site.  Instructors are required to provide Theatre Ontario with a satisfactory background check.  All adults (except counselors) stay in a separate residence from the students.  In order to make the week as pleasant for everyone as possible, please inform Theatre Ontario of any medical conditions which may affect participation and which the instructor should be aware.  Theatre Ontario assumes no responsibility for personal injury, however incurred, nor for the loss of personal effects during attendance at the courses.

 

 

Check In and Check Out Schedule

Check in between 2-5pm on Sunday August 10.  Join us for dinner at 5:30pm followed by your first class.  Classes and assignments though out the week will follow your instructors' schedules with six hours of instruction each day.  There will be homework!  Classes are finished by 5pm on Friday August 15 with a closing night party after dinner.  Check out is Saturday August 16 at 10am.