Current Classes Being Offered
NEW! The Masks We Wear - Mask Making Workshop
On Camera Intro
On Camera Intensive
Yoga for Actors Workshop
On Going Classes by Siobhan
On Going Workshops by Siobhan
Siobhan McCarthy is an actor/ performer/ teacher with many years of professional performance experience and training, which allows her to draw from a wide range of bodywork/ movement modalities. For more about Siobhan - click here
She has been profiled and published in the Canadian Theatre Review where she was credited as being one of “Canada’s foremost cross-over artists” and her philosophy of “Using the arts as a tool for healing, self- discovery, empowerment and catharsis” was celebrated.
Ms. McCarthy is an accomplished PPSEC approved teacher and private acting coach. She has taught and lectured at UBC, John Casblanca's Acting School, New Image College of Fine Arts as well as other colleges and private institutions. Last year, she was the Artist in Residence with the City of Vancouver in the Down Town East Side teaching people mask making.
Register for classes and workshops - click here
Plaster Mask Making Workshop
In this mask making workshop participants will create a custom-made plaster of paris mask that they can use later on in performance or for fun, ie, future events. Please bring an old towel/ face cloth, wear old clothes, no make-up and be prepared to get messy and have a lot of fun!
Light refreshments will be served. All supplies are included. Cost $ 65.00 includes membership to the absolut theatre company society
About the Masks We Wear Project
This is an innovative multi-media community- building project devised by Siobhan McCarthy. It is an experimental workshop/ lab/ rehearsal series that will take place over an extended period of time- where actors, visual artists and members of the general public can make custom-fit masks, develop characters and performances that will result in an community installation performance project at the absolut theatre company in the months to come.
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In this six week on camera intensive workshop you will learn the foundations of the acting business so that you can go out into the industry and seek professional work. The course will cover audition and on- set etiquette, terminology, and the audition process for commericals, film and television dealing with nervousness, cold reads, improvisation and being 100% commited.
We will discuss and study the present climate of the industry in Vancouver, study scenes from projects that are being shot in Vancouver and BC and strategies on how to get an agent and then how to get your agent to work for and with you.
All classes will be taped so that students will be able to piece together a demo reel at the end of the workshop to assist them in finding representation.
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A follow up intensive workshop to Siobhan’s on
camera introductory class that covers the more technical
aspects of the Actor’s craft. Siobhan’s on Camera Intensive
teaches you ways to sharpen your auditioning skills
and use new techniques to make your taped auditions
look their very best. Stand out in every audition! Learn
film set terminology, and how it applies to you. Discover
the difference between shots such as Master/Medium/
Close-up/Dirty, and learn how to perform within each
while maintaining Continuity. Learn how to be an Editable
Actor with performance techniques like Action Cuts!
Scenes and Auditions are ALL ON CAMERA, and you will
receive a copy of your work at the end of the course that you
can use and learn from. 20 hours of the essential
On Camera Skills you need to know.
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Moving with Authenticity & Awareness
“Learn a practical warm-up routine for the mind and body
that you can use daily “
This 4 hour experiential workshop will provide you with yoga based postures/ movements, combined with a variety of other bodywork disciplines while putting the emphasis on physical awareness, breath, alignment, voice, stretching & relaxation. This class is a great opportunity for you to augment your own physical regime or introduce you to movement techniques and approaches essential for all actors.
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On-Going On Camera Intermediate Scene StudyMondays 6-10pm
Students who have taken the introduction to acting class may register for this weekly on camera scene study class where they will build upon the fundamentals they have learned and continue to work out and develop their craft.
On-Going On Camera Advanced Scene StudyWednesdays 6-10pm, or during the day
For working actors only. Entrance to the class is by audition and interview with the instructor.
Play Creation and Performance
A fun 12 week class for advanced students to create a piece collectively and then perform it live before a public audience. Students will be guided through the creation process, and the production process as an art and as a business.
Note: this course can also be offered as “short film project” where a film is written, shot and produced by the students.
Voice, Movement and Mask- 13 week class
where students are introduced to the foundations. Intro to a non-pathalogical approach to the work, yogic principals/ postures, alexander technique etc.
*Please note that all courses/ workshops are adaptable.
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Fundraising Workshop
Have you ever wanted to do a show but don’t have any money? Have you got a great project but you don’t know where to begin? Siobhan will talk about the ins and outs of funding. She will share her tips of approaching a project head on and encourage out of the box thinking when seeking funds. Bring a pen & paper for notes
Grant Writing Workshop
The business of grant writing is an art unto itself. Does it overwhelm you? Intimidate you? Why? Siobhan will break down the grant writing and proposal writing process. Bring a project in mind and lots of questions
Artist In Business Workshop
S. Siobhan McCarthy is the founder and Managing Artistic Director/ Producer of the absolut theatre company and blyssful productions. In 2004-05 she was Vancouver’s Artist in Residence at gallery gachet in the DTES and she has been the Production Manager of the VIFF Trade Forum for the past five years. Siobhan will lead this workshop, exploring options to self-employment in the arts. This workshop will provide practical tips in banking, grant writing, setting up a business and /or society, tax right offs and looking at the five-year business plan from an artists perspective. Some resources will be provided. Please bring a pen and paper to take notes as required.
Don’t Wait for the phone to ring- write, create, produce and perform your own work!
Are you tired of waiting for your dream part? Then create your own! Don’t plan on someone else launching your career- do it your self! Empower yourself and take control of your career. Siobhan will talk about the ins and outs of creating your own work, setting up your business, touring, writing techniques, funding and seeking out your key team players. Bring a pen and paper, open mind and loads of questions!
*Please note that all workshops can be adapted to the needs of the organization hosting them.
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To Register for classes, call (604) 263-1859