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.
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VANCOUVER
ACTING
WORKSHOPS
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
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May 7 - Make the Ceiling the Floor Workshop with Barbara Deutch
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May 8 - Make the Ceiling the Floor Workshop with Barbara Deutch
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May 25 & 26 - Indie Filmmaking Workshop with Carl Bessai
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June 15 & 16 - On-Camera Acting Workshop with Brandon Jay McLaren
with Barbara Deutsch
MAKE THE CEILING THE FLOOR WORKSHOP
FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS!
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Barbara is returning to Haven for this special workshop!
This 1 Day crash course features four hours of in-person direct connection coaching with Barbara Deutch. In this workshop, you will learn Barbara's signature tools that you can apply instantly to any situation when the stakes are high.
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Topics Include:
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Role Play Meeting with Casting Directors and Agents
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Get Help Navigating What is On Your Plate Right Now
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Networking vs. Connecting Authentically
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Dealing with Self Sabotage
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And much more!
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Not sure if this is the right fit for you?
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Email Barbara at barbara@bdapproach.com for a free chat. It’s like speed dating, but for your career.
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MAKE THE CEILING THE FLOOR WORKSHOP with BARBARA DEUTSCH
(IN PERSON)
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May 7 (6pm - 10pm)
Total: $150.00 including gst for 1-Day Workshop
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May 8 (10am - 2pm)
Total: $150.00 including gst for 1-Day Workshop
2-DAY ACTING ON-CAMERA WORKSHOP
with Brandon Jay McLaren
DESCRIPTION:
It is no exaggeration to say Brandon Jay McLaren is one of the busiest, most versatile actors working internationally in film and television today.
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A Haven Acting Studio alumnus, Brandon can currently be seen in the Freeform comedy Everything’s Trash. Other notable performances **include fan favourite ‘Xavier Watkins’ on the Disney + comedy/action series Turner & Hooch, ABC’s action series The Rookie, alongside Nathan Fillion, and as ‘Buckley’ on season 5 of the acclaimed FX series Snowfall, created by Dave Andron, Eric Amadio and John Singleton. A genre-hopping actor with killer comedy chops, smoking hot dramatic intensity and effortless charm, Brandon wants to share his experience, techniques, and stories with you, exclusively at Haven Acting Studio, in this on-camera intensive.
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Utilizing scenes from top-notch shows that he has worked on, as well as other dynamic current productions, day 1 will be focused on dramatic scenes and day 2 will be an exploration of contemporary comedy.
Brandon will be focusing on on-set skills including:
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taking direction on the fly
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having agency over your craft
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the ability to be versatile
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taking educated risks
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This workshop is geared toward students with previous training and on-set experience. Only 12 spots available.
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2-DAY ACTING ON-CAMERA WORKSHOP with BRANDON JAY McLAREN
(IN PERSON)
JUNE 15 (2pm - 6pm) and JUNE 16 (10am - 2pm)
Total: $300.00 including gst
ON-CAMERA COMEDY WORKSHOP
with Jill Morrison
PREREQUISITE:
Both veteran and newer actors are welcome, and scene partners with similar levels of experience will be paired up together.
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DESCRIPTION:
In an encouraging, challenging, and always fun atmosphere, actors will work with partners on multiple scenes on-camera.
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The focus of this energetic class will be on breathing and rehearsal tools, camera technique, broad comedy vs more grounded styles, and the specific differences between multi and single-camera approaches. Using scenes from film and TV, Jill will work closely with each actor to help bring out and nurture their unique comedic voice, while building the specific skills that are required to work in numerous professional environments where funny is money!
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FORMAT:
Students are assigned scenes from film and TV.
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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.
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2-DAY ON-CAMERA COMEDY WORKSHOP with JILL MORRISON WORKSHOP (IN PERSON):
TBD (11am - 3pm) *MAX 10 Students
Total: $260.00 including gst
In addition to her always popular “On-Camera Comedy Class” at Haven Studio, Jill is now offering this new MONDAY NIGHT SCENE STUDY CLASS. A veteran performer of stage and screen, Jill brings over 15 years of teaching acting to her own unique, fun and empowering style of coaching.
Using scenes from contemporary plays, Jill’s class focuses on voice, clarity of storytelling, creating complex characters and building a strong connection to scene partners. From script analysis to rehearsal process, to final performance, Jill’s Scene Study class will help you “find your wings” and fly!
Selected credits for Jill include A Million Little Things, Mean Girls, Supergirl, National Parks, Maid, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, Project Blue Book, The Good Doctor, Motherland, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Package Deal, Imaginary Mary, The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Healing Powers of Dude and Benchwarmers, and too many MOWs to mention!
DESCRIPTION:
With this American Accent workshop you will learn to speak with a general American accent, one of the most important accents for any performer to have in their repertoire.
Within this workshop, you will explore the strong, confident vocal energy that is fundamental to the American accent by engaging with its resonance, placement and flow. You will learn tips and tricks about flow and placement.
We will work together to isolate sounds from different countries and ‘give away’ pronunciation that should be avoided. To conquer "uptonation" which should be avoided unless, as an actor, you have decided that this could be a vocal trait of your character.
Areas covered include:
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Exploring key vowel and consonant changes, analysing tongue and mouth movement
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Breath and body work
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Facial movements/ muscle patterns
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Sound placement/resonant focus
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Scene recording analysis
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USA glossary, ‘give away sounds’ and American intonation
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Script work to enhance the accuracy and freedom of the accent
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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 Natalie before signing up for a class, however, we are glad to arrange that.
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SCHEDULE:
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1-DAY WORKSHOP (IN PERSON):
TBD (11am - 2pm) *MAX 10 Students
Total: $125.00 including gst
STANDARD AMERICAN DIALECT WORKSHOP
with Dialect Coach Natalie Moon
DESCRIPTION:
Get familiar with 3 British Accents in ONE workshop!
This workshop gives you a taste of three British accents over the course of two weeks.
Students will first focus on the most widely known and requested British accent RP. Then we will look at the more “upper crust” heightened RP, such as the accent in Downtown Abbey or Bridgerton. And finally, we will dive into the fun sounds of the cockney accent.
In class, we will look at the breakdowns of the accents, how they differ from standard American and how they differ from each other. We will also cover vowel and consonant changes, accent “rules”, flow, mechanics and placement.
Students will then choose one accent to focus on and we will use that accent in a short scene on-camera. We will be focusing on the chosen accent and the use of the accent in characterization.
Students will leave with a firm grasp of all three accents and the technical know how to be able to apply the workshop teachings to other scenes and auditions in the future.
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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 Natalie before signing up for a class, however, we are glad to arrange that.
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SCHEDULE:
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2-DAY WORKSHOP (IN PERSON):
TBD (11am - 3pm) *MAX 12 Students
Total: $260.00 including gst
A TRIO OF BRITISH ACCENTS WORKSHOP
with Natalie Moon
IGNITE YOUR AUTHENTIC VOICE WORKSHOP
with Erika Conway
PREREQUISITE:
This class is for both newer and veteran actors.
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DESCRIPTION:
Erika Conway, an alumni of Haven Acting Studio, has spent the past 4 years as a director, producer and coach of a touring a one man show that has swept up awards internationally, sold out Off Broadway and is still gaining momentum in professional theatres across Canada and the US.
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Erika knows and understands first hand the power of telling your story and tapping into your authentic voice.
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Our stories can provide the stepping stones for transformation.
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This class is designed to take a peek “behind the curtain”, do a deep dive into your internal world and ignite your authentic voice connecting back to your greatest asset. YOU.
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Her specialty is digging into your personal stories, shining a light on the internal roadblocks holding you back, liberating your creative spark, and activating that powerful authority you have within you just begging you to give it a voice.
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As a veteran of stage and film, Erika understands the creative culture actors face and the challenges within it. Her combined experience as a yoga/meditation teacher and creative coach gives her the ability to offer effective strategies.
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In this course you will delve into exercises including:
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Storytelling sessions
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Meditation / visualization exercises
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Writing & journaling with prompts
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Playful body movement sessions
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Your stories matter. Let Erika empower you to share yours!
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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 Erika before signing up for a workshop, however, we are glad to arrange that.
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2-DAY IGNITE YOUR AUTHENTIC WORKSHOP with ERIKA CONWAY WORKSHOP (IN PERSON):
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TBD (10am - 3pm)
Total: $260.00 including gst
THE IMPROV MINDSET WORKSHOP
with David Milchard
PREREQUISITE:
This workshop is open to experienced actors, beginners, and those with no acting experience.
DESCRIPTION:
David Milchard’s improv classes are a very popular component of our “All Inclusive” sessions at Haven Acting Studio. Due to high demand, we are now offering an intensive weekend workshop with David, exclusively at Haven.
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David’s approach to improv starts with curiosity. Discovery is the objective. Accepting what’s presented and building on it is the avenue David walks with his impulses and others. Nothing is more exciting and thrilling than the “Yes, and…” mentality.
What is Improv?
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Improv is about listening, discovery, and acceptance. Regardless of your skill level or your ambitions, this is a workshop for everyone. Have you always wanted to try improv? Are you an actor or a writer? Then this workshop is for you!
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Says David, “Improv changed my life. It created opportunities for me to perform around the world but more importantly connect with the people I meet every day! Improv truly is a gift! The Improv Mindset is a fantastic tool for all vocations. As an actor and director, I apply the basic improv fundamentals every time I step on set.”
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This workshop will offer exercises focusing on listening, accepting, teamwork, spontaneity, and storytelling.
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SCHEDULE:
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The Improv Mindset Workshop with David Milchard
TBD | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Total $260 including gst for a 2-day intensive
2-Night Online Scene Study Workshop
Exclusively at Haven Acting Studio
with Richard J. Lewis
PREREQUISITE:
These workshops are geared toward experienced actors. Please submit your current headshot and resume. Enrollment is limited to 12 students.
DESCRIPTION:
This is a chance to be closely guided by director/producer Richard J. Lewis, exclusively at Haven Studio.
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Dustin Hoffman, Evan Rachel Wood, Jeffery Wright, Ed Harris, Minnie Driver, Paul Giamatti, Thandie Newton, Anthony Hopkins … these are just a few of the actors Richard has worked with in over 30 years as an award-winning film and TV director. Richard’s other credits include A Million Little Things, CSI, Person of Interest, and feature films Barney’s Version and Whale Music.
Most recently, Richard has come on board as an Executive Producer on Ben Immanuel’s series Trigger Me, which was created in collaboration with students at Haven Studio, and is being repped by Thunderbird/Great Pacific Entertainment. Richard will be bringing his passion, experience, and love of the actor/director process to Haven Studio.
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FORMAT:
Students are assigned scenes from Film and Television Shows and are expected to be off-book and rehearse with their scene partners between classes. The scene will then be performed live on Zoom with their assigned partner.
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All scenes will be recorded and sent to you via Google Drive.
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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 an instructor before signing up for a class, however, we are glad to arrange that.
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2-Day Scene Study Workshop with Richard J. Lewis
TBD | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Total $250 including gst for a 2-day intensive
*Maximum 12 students*
HOW TO PLAY COPS FOR FILM AND TELEVISION
with Jason Tremblay
PREREQUISITE:
This workshop is suitable for both newer, and veteran actors.
DESCRIPTION:
So many actors audition for and hopefully book parts playing police officers of all kinds: rookies, veterans, detectives, sergeants, good cops, crooked cops and more. From day-players to series leads, there will always be police roles up for grabs in film and television. But how many actors know what’s required to play the role of a police officer accurately and truthfully?
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THE BASICS
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PROP FIREARMS HANDLING
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PROPER HANDCUFFING TECHNIQUE
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USING THE POLICE RADIO
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THINKING, WALKING, AND TALKING LIKE A COP
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PROPER CONDUCT AND PROTOCOL
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PROPER WARDROBE
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TAKING A DEEPER DIVE, THIS WORKSHOP WILL ALSO GIVE YOU A FIRST-HAND INSIDERS VIEW INTO POLICE CULTURE:
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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ROOKIES, VETERANS, AND “BOSSES”
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POLICE SLANG AND CODES
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HOW COPS HANDLE EMOTIONS (OR HOW THEY DON’T)
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DRINKING/GOSSIP AND INTER-OFFICE RELATIONSHIPS
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HAZING THE ROOKIES
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THE “BOYS CLUB” AND THE COMPLEXITIES OF BEING “LOYAL TO BLUE.”
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RACISM, POLITICS AND GENDER ISSUES.
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OFF-DUTY LIFESTYLE AND CONDUCT)
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With 20 years of experience as a police officer/detective, Jason Tremblay has played law enforcement of various types on shows including Day of the Dead, Maid, Demonic, Loudermilk, Spontaneous, Virgin River, BH90210, Power Rangers, Law & Order, Lifetime and Hallmark movies, and more. Coming from an acting family, he has spent countless hours on film and TV sets. He has seen it all, the true version and the showbiz version, and strongly believes if someone is going to play a cop, be they a good cop or a bad cop, they should start by knowing what it’s like to be a real cop.
Sides from shows, improv, role-playing, and lots of discussion and Q & A will all be incorporated into the day.
Everyone will be up on their feet participating in this intense, yet safe look behind the blue line.
This workshop is also open to writers.
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SCHEDULE:
TBD
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