VANCOUVER ACTING
CLASSES + WORKSHOPS
No tricks.
No shortcuts.
No false promises.
Just passionate creativity and uncompromising
respect for the craft of acting and
all that it demands.
​
VANCOUVER
ACTING
CLASSES
Top working actors from Canada, the US and abroad train with Ben Immanuel at Haven Studio.
On-camera and scene study classes for beginners and up-and-comers are also available.
We keep our standards high, our class sizes small, and our prices fair.
UPCOMING CLASSES
​​​​​​​​​​​​
with Ben Immanuel
SCENE STUDY
PREREQUISITE:
Ben works with actors with previous training and professional experience.
DESCRIPTION:
Students are assigned scenes from stage plays and are expected to be off-book and rehearse with their scene partners between classes. There are 5 classes per session. There are 5-6 scenes per night, and each class is 5 hours long. Every scene works every week.
AUDIT POLICY:
To maintain the safest and most focused atmosphere for the students in class, drop-in audits are not available. If you want to speak with Ben before signing up for a class, however, we are glad to arrange that.
​
SCHEDULE:
TUESDAY NIGHTS - SCENE STUDY (IN PERSON):
September 5 - October 3 | 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Max 10 students) *WAITLIST ONLY
Total $440 including GST for 5 weeks of class
​
October 17 - November 14 | 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Max 10 students)
Total $440 including GST for 5 weeks of class
​
FRIDAY DAYS - SCENE STUDY (IN PERSON):
September 8 - October 6 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (Max 10 students) *WAITLIST ONLY
Total $440 including GST for 5 weeks of class
​
October 20 - November 17 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (Max 10 students)
Total $440 including GST for 5 weeks of class
SCENE STUDY
with Jill Morrison
PREREQUISITE:
This class is geared towards actors newer to Haven Acting Studio who are looking to build a solid foundation before applying for Ben’s scene study classes.
DESCRIPTION:
Scenes from contemporary stage plays will be worked on for the five-week session, focusing on Haven Studio‘s “3 C’s”:
Comprehension, Clarity and Commitment.
Do you truly understand the story you are telling? Do you have the instrument to communicate your ideas without technical/emotional obstacles? How far will you go, how much will you give, and how hard will you work to deliver the goods in a truthful, entertaining, and original performance?
Take the plunge into Haven’s challenging, yet always supportive atmosphere, led by this veteran performer on stage and screen. Jill will guide you in taking your work to the next level and prepare newer students for admission into Ben Immanuel’s advanced scene study classes.
FORMAT:
Students are assigned scenes from stage plays and are expected to be familiar with the scene and rehearse with their scene partners between classes. There are 5 classes per session. There are 6 scenes per night. Every scene works every week.
AUDIT POLICY:
To maintain the safest and most focused atmosphere for the students in class, drop-in audits are not available. If you want to speak with Jill before signing up for a class, however, we are glad to arrange that.
​
SCHEDULE:
MONDAY NIGHTS - SCENE STUDY (IN PERSON)
September 11 - October 16 | NO CLASS October 9
6:30 pm – 10:30 pm (Max 10 students)
Total: $400 including GST for 5 WEEKS of class
​
October 23 - November 20
6:30 pm – 10:30 pm (Max 10 students)
Total: $400 including GST for 5 WEEKS of class
​
November 27 - December 18
6:30 pm – 10:30 pm (Max 10 students)
Total: $320 including GST for 4 WEEKS of class
AUDITION BREAKTHROUGH
with Nelson Wong
PREREQUISITE:
This class is for actors with previous acting training.
DESCRIPTION:
In this fast-paced on-camera audition workout led by seasoned actor Nelson Wong, you will learn and refine the vital skills necessary to deliver unique, confident, well-prepared auditions that will help you break through your fears and enjoy the casting process.
This weekly workout seeks to demystify the audition process and helps actors own their creative space. Actors will receive feedback and practice while exploring camera technique, genre, character choices, and personal stakes with the goal of being able to create a confident and creatively dynamic process for every audition.
​
Students receive their class footage each week via Dropbox.
AUDIT POLICY:
To maintain the safest and most focused atmosphere for the students in class, drop-in audits are not available. If you want to speak with Nelson before signing up for a class, however, we are glad to arrange that.
​
SCHEDULE:
​
WEDNESDAYS - AUDITION BREAKTHROUGH (IN PERSON)
September 27 - October 18 | 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm (Max 10 students)
Total: $300 including gst for 4 WEEKS of class
​
October 25 - November 15 | 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm (Max 10 students)
Total: $300 including gst for 4 WEEKS of class
​
November 22 - December 13 | 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm (Max 10 students)
Total: $300 including gst for 4 WEEKS of class
LEVEL UP YOUR SELF TAPES ONLINE
with Nelson Wong
PREREQUISITE:
This class is for actors with previous acting training.
DESCRIPTION:
This class is for actors wanting to improve their self tape game! Participants will be challenged to submit weekly self tape auditions which will be reviewed in class. Students will receive notes and direction to implement live in a zoom callback style class environment. Navigate the challenges and triumphs of self taping in a fun and supportive atmosphere.
AUDIT POLICY:
To maintain the safest and most focused atmosphere for the students in class, drop-in audits are not available. If you want to speak with Nelson before signing up for a class, however, we are glad to arrange that.
​
SCHEDULE:
​
TUESDAYS - LEVEL UP YOUR SELF TAPES (ONLINE)
September 5 - 26 | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Max 10 students)
Total: $250 including gst for 4 WEEKS of class
_edited.jpg)
THE ALL INCLUSIVE
with Ben Immanuel, Jill Morrison, David Milchard and Nelson Wong
PREREQUISITE:
This session is open to newer actors, as well as more experienced actors in need of an inspiring tune up. Scene partners will be paired up according to their level of experience.
DESCRIPTION:
This is an opportunity for committed actors to work with 4 of Haven Acting Studio’s veteran teachers. We’ll explore various techniques, on-stage and on-camera, with the ultimate goal of bringing more tools to your process to develop into a more well-rounded, confident, and joyful actor. Quit procrastinating, break through your creative blocks, refine your process, and amaze yourself with what you are capable of when you fully commit to your growth as an artist in this challenging, yet always safe and supportive 6 class intensive.
Actors will receive a link of their on-camera work which they can use for promotional purposes such as when submitting to agents, adding to their Casting Workbook profile (if they don't have a demo) or simply sharing with their reps to show their development.
WEEK 1: JILL MORRISON - (6 - 10pm)
We begin the process by defining each actor's goals, then move into script analysis, clarifying objectives and obstacles, and exploring personalization.
WEEK 2: BEN IMMANUEL - (6 - 10pm)
Scenes are on their feet with a focus on character exploration, breath work, and freeing up impulses.
WEEK 3: JILL MORRISON - (6 - 10pm)
Digging deeper emotionally, technically refining delivery, and mining the material for higher stakes and more dynamic performances.
WEEK 4: BEN IMMANUEL - (6 - 10pm)
Go big! This week is focused on behaviour and sensory work — letting go and getting messy in order to discover more about your characters and their objectives, while still maintaining clarity throughout the arc of the scenes.
WEEK 5: DAVID MILCHARD - (6 - 10pm)
Through a series of playful yet always grounded exercises, our resident improv master will take the group off the scripted page, freeing up your impulses to open up new worlds of creative discovery.
WEEK 6: NELSON WONG - (6 - 10pm)
Finally, take everything you’ve created with the previous 5 weeks of work serving as a rock-solid foundation, and refine it for condensed, focused on-camera scene work that will stand out, get noticed in self tapes, and send you to set empowered and excited to work.
FORMAT:
Students are assigned scenes from stage plays and are expected to rehearse with their scene partners between classes. There are 6 classes per session.
​
AUDIT POLICY:
To maintain the safest and most focused atmosphere for the students in class, drop-in audits are not available. If you want to speak with Ben, Jill, David or Nelson before signing up for a class, however, we are glad to arrange that.
​
SCHEDULE:
​
THURSDAYS ALL INCLUSIVE (IN PERSON)
September 7 - October 12 | 6:30pm - 10:30pm (Max 10 students) *FULL
Total $500 including gst for 6 weeks of class
​
October 19 - November 23 | 6:30pm - 10:30pm (Max 10 students)
Total $500 including gst for 6 weeks of class
RAISING THE BAR
with Ben Immanuel
PREREQUISITE:
This is an advanced class by invitation only.
​
DESCRIPTION:
Raising the Bar is a scene study class for actors with considerable training and/or professional experience, especially those who have worked extensively with Ben in his ongoing scene study classes. It is by invitation only. Students are assigned scenes from stage plays and are expected to be off-book and rehearse with their scene partners between classes. There are 5 classes per session. There are 6 scenes per night, and each class is 5 hours long. Every scene works every week.
​
AUDIT POLICY:
To maintain the safest and most focused atmosphere for the students in class, drop-in audits are not available. If you want to speak with Ben before signing up for a class, however, we are glad to arrange that.
​
SCHEDULE:
​
SUNDAY NIGHTS - RAISING THE BAR (IN PERSON):
September 10 - October 8 | 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Max 12 students) *WAITLIST ONLY
Total $440 including GST for 5 weeks of class
​
October 22 - November 19 | 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm (Max 12 students)
Total $440 including GST for 5 weeks of class
.jpeg)
THE ON-SET EXPERIENCE
with Award Winning Series Regular Tom Stevens
The self-tape got you the job, but can you pull it off in 1 or 2 takes on set?
This brand-new class at Haven Acting Studio is designed to get you informed, confident, and set-ready. It’s all about knowing what to expect, feeling comfortable with the process, and keeping your creativity alive throughout all the distractions and stress that naturally occur along with all the creativity and fun on film and TV sets.
Tom Stevens has spent many, many hours on set as a series regular, most recently in his multiple award-nominated role on CBC/CW’s series Moonshine. Tom loves the discipline, focus, and crazy unpredictability of collaborating on set, and wants to share his knowledge and experience with you in this demanding, playful, and eye-opening 5-week session of classes.
One week ahead of class, you’ll be assigned a scene and a partner. Each week you’ll build on the on-set requirements of the scene, with the luxury taking your time to learn and explore the many technical and creative steps that happen fast and furiously on set. By the last class, things will happen at the pace of a real film/TV set, with all that preparation and knowledge there to support you.
The truth is, many actors can deliver good self-tapes when it’s just them and a reader, with countless takes to get it right. But are you able to function under pressure with all the distractions of a film set swirling around you as the clock ticks louder and louder with each passing moment? When it’s time for “action!” can you deliver the goods in one or two takes, with comprehension, clarity, and commitment?
Of course you can. But it ain’t easy. And you don’t want to make too many mistakes on set. Make your mistakes in class, instead. Sign up for this 5-week deep dive and get set-ready with Tom!
​
Week 1 “Just for the Words”
The basics. What’s happening in the scene? What’s your objective and what are your obstacles? Your character has a long list of events that brought them to this place and time, so let’s get into that. Have you read the episode? Do you know the show? Let’s talk it out with your partner and get on the same page.
Week 2 "Get it on its Feet”
Blocking! We will put the scene on its feet, keeping it simple, and start to take things to the scene to the next level with physicality, keeping the technical requirements of the camera in mind.
Week 3 “Bringing in the Business"
Props and “business” time. Time to add the smaller details of the physical world of the scene. Continuity is essential, so we will work on making decisions and sticking to them, while keeping discovery and spontaneity alive.
Week 4 “Let’s Get Eyes on it”
Now we bring in the camera and use this as an opportunity to run the scene with all the moving pieces while we film it. We will be restricted by where the camera can go, so if that comes up, we will learn to “pivot.” We will also talk about lenses and the size of your coverage and how that will affect the size of your performance, from the wide shot to your close up.
Week 5 “All Hands on Deck”
We’re shooting the scene! Tom, the teacher will direct the scene, with fellow classmates taking on key roles as the crew. Working together this way is an excellent exercise in learning to stay focused throughout all the distractions that naturally occur on a film set, and also a great way to understand and appreciate the needs of the crew as you collaborate to make magic together.
​
AUDIT POLICY:
To maintain the safest and most focused atmosphere for the students in class, drop-in audits are not available. If you want to speak with Tom before signing up for a class, however, we are glad to arrange that.
​
SCHEDULE:
​
SATURDAYS - THE ON-SET EXPERIENCE (IN PERSON)
​
September 23 - October 21 | 10:00am - 2:00pm (Max 10 Students)
Total: $400 including GST for 5 WEEKS of class
SCENE STUDY
with Loretta Walsh
.png)
PREREQUISITE:
These classes are geared towards actors newer to Haven Studio looking to get a solid foundation before joining Ben’s scene study classes.
​
DESCRIPTION:
Loretta is currently shooting her 9th season as a series regular on When Calls the Heart, but she misses Haven and is returning to her home base to teach this high-energy class! Scenes from contemporary stage plays will be worked on for the five-week session, focusing on Haven Studio‘s “3 C’s”: Comprehension, Clarity, and Commitment.
Do you truly understand the story you are telling? Do you have the instrument to communicate your ideas without technical obstacles? How far will you go, how much will you give, and how hard will you work to deliver the goods in a truthful, entertaining, and original performance?
​
Take the plunge into Haven’s challenging, yet always supportive atmosphere, led by this veteran performer on stage and screen. Loretta will guide you in taking your work to the next level and prepare newer students for admission into Ben Immanuel’s advanced scene study classes.
​
AUDIT POLICY:
To maintain the safest and most focused atmosphere for the students in class, drop-in audits are not available. If you want to speak with Loretta before signing up for a class, however, we are glad to arrange that.
​
SCHEDULE:
​
WEDNESDAYS - SCENE STUDY (IN PERSON)
​
TBD | 11:00am - 2:00pm (Max 12 Students)
Total: $375 including GST for 5 WEEKS of class