This program introduces students aged 3-4 to the world of drama. They are encouraged to tap into their natural inner creativity and through that, gain self-confidence, enhanced expression and stronger communication and performance skills. Fully developed basic reading and writing skills are not expected. This program is formatted in a manner that doesn’t require a script in order to “act”.
This is a more formal introduction to the world of theatre. Focus is on building confidence, teamwork, stage presence, and having fun. The objectives are to allow the students to discover their own abilities and provide them with the opportunity to discover a love of and passion for the performing arts.
This is a more formal introduction to the world of theatre. Focus is on building confidence, teamwork, stage presence, and having fun. The objectives are to allow the students to discover their own abilities and provide them with the opportunity to discover a love of and passion for the performing arts.
This course is designed to provide students with a solid grounding in drama and confidence when performing on stage or simply engaging in public situations. Focus is on developing and enhancing student (both new and experienced) acting technique and developing their live performance skills.
This course is designed to provide students with a solid grounding in drama and confidence when performing on stage or simply engaging in public situations. Focus is on developing and enhancing student (both new and experienced) acting technique and developing their live performance skills.
This course is designed to provide students with a solid grounding in drama and confidence when performing on stage or simply engaging in public situations. Focus is on developing and enhancing student (both new and experienced) acting technique and developing their live performance skills.
This class expands on the material covered in the earlier ages and delves deeper into core concepts. Theatre games and exercises are employed to help students discover new performance perspectives, in a fun and suportive environment.
This class expands on the material covered in the earlier ages and delves deeper into core concepts. Theatre games and exercises are employed to help students discover new performance perspectives, in a fun and suportive environment.
Students in this age category can expect to explore high-school level drama concepts and material. Focus is on creating a supportive environment of trust among the class to enable students to learn what it means theatrically to succeed both in individual and collective ensemble performance situations.
Students in this age category can expect to explore high-school level drama concepts and material. Focus is on creating a supportive environment of trust among the class to enable students to learn what it means theatrically to succeed both in individual and collective ensemble performance situations.
Students in this age category can expect to explore high-school level drama concepts and material. Focus is on creating a supportive environment of trust among the class to enable students to learn what it means theatrically to succeed both in individual and collective ensemble performance situations.
As students progress in this class, they can expect to be introduced to post-secondary level material. Script and character development will be strongly emphasized and the concept of "moment to moment" acting will be explored to help students learn various approaches to bringing maximum stage life and reality to the words in their scripts.
Music Theatre classes are initially split into acting, singing and movement/dance components, then slowly integrated back together as one, with the aim of aiding the students in understanding how to incorporate all three elements into a unified musical performance. Character and story development are emphasized to teach students how to layer their musical acting, singing and movement with depth and reality.
This class builds on the core musical theatre concepts and techniques introduced in the younger class. These are explored in a way that enables both new and experienced students to enjoy and benefit from the class. As the year progresses, the students will graduate to high school level material and concepts. They can expect to have the opportunity to gain experience with solos, duets and ensemble performance.
Students in this class can be expected to work on post-secondary level performance concepts and technique. A strong emphasis is placed on helping the students develop the self confidence to take risks and discover the true boundaries of their ability as a musical actor.
This class is offered for students who wish to gain confidence and comfort with the movement aspects of Musical Theatre. Please note this is NOT a traditional, formal "dance" class. It is geared primarily for those students who have little to no formal dance training but wish to enhance their Musical Theatre performance range or those who do not wish to pursue a traditional dance class format.
This class will help both experienced and novice students understand the core principles, as well as the "tricks" and subtleties of acting for film. The emphasis is on having fun while learning. Topics to be covered include how the language of film tells a story, the relationship between the actor and the camera and the role of choices in creating variety, depth and continuity in a role.
This class will help both experienced and novice students understand the core principles, as well as the "tricks" and subtleties of acting for film. The emphasis is on having fun while learning. Topics to be covered include how the language of film tells a story, the relationship between the actor and the camera and the role of choices in creating variety, depth and continuity in a role.
This class builds on the concepts from the Ages 11-13 program and the maturity of the older students, to delve much deeper and more broadly into the concepts, principles and techniques of successful film performance. Returning students will also have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of camera work, film production and scene direction.
This course is designed for students looking to take their creativity from imagination, to the page, and then bring it to life, either in front of the camera or on stage. Focusing more on practical writing experience than theory, the class objective is to provide an understanding of the key concepts, structures, guidelines and options that the student has available to develop their stories into material that will be both effective in presentation and entertaining in narrative.
Emphasis is on helping the students understand that the "fun and games" results of improvisation are derived from a solid technical foundation, self-discipline and confident, sharing teamwork. Students will work with different types of improvised theatre, to help expand their personal comfort zone and enable them to present greater variety and interest on stage.
This class builds on the concepts and techniques introduced in the Ages 12-13 class and provides its older students with the opportunity to explore ever more advanced material, comparable with early post-secondary programs. The course format allows for students of widely different Improvisation backgrounds to particiate in a constructive and beneficial manner.
This class is an introduction to improv as an art form. With a focus on foundational elements of scene building as well as getting comfortable with your choices on stage, it offers a comfortable space for beginners to explore multiple styles and formats of improvised stage-comedy in a group setting. No prior improv/Act One experience is required.
This class is designed for more intermediate/ advanced-level improvisers, with a more in-depth focus on the nuances of scene dynamics and exploring longform-improv styles and techniques. While shortform improv still plays a role in this curriculum format, this class invites experienced adult/past-Act One improv students to push towards greater personal and/or stage industry goals with ensemble play in mind.
(Pre-requisite: Adult Improv 1 / previous Act One or equivalent improv experience. Subject to instructor approval.)
This program is presented at an Introductory/Intermediate level for adults interested in learning what theatre can offer. It will have value to those wishing to acquire new skills and understanding of the acting process and have fun, while confidently and successfully pursuing future acting opportunities.
Students will learn the basics of voice work including improved breathing, vocal warm ups, widening vocal range and techniques for tackling accents and creating "characters" in an audience's ear. As part of their year's work they will create and record their own short radio show.
Designed for students with an interest in the more creative side of theatre, this class will introduce them to the differences between the various types of comedy: slapstick, parody, farce, satire & irony. Students learn techniques for maximizing the entertainment potential of each and when each is most appropriate.
Act One's core mission is to bring high-quality, accessible drama training to Durham Region. We are continuously refining the school's operations and policies. We strive to deliver the best experience possible to all those looking to explore drama in all its forms.
Act One's programs have been developed and refined through many years of direct experience teaching over 5,000 drama students and campers of all ages.
Effective drama instruction involves both group and individual instruction. We keep our classes small to ensure instructors can provide each student with the individual attention they require.
A large part of the drama learning experience is interaction between actors. We keep age differentials narrow so that students can interact with their own peer group and instructors can better tailor the material to the specific student.
The best way to learn anything is to put yourself to the test. For this reason, most Act One classes offer at least three performance events and up to 12 performance opportunities over the class year.
Act One courses are designed to be adaptable each year based on the individual student and collective class experience and objectives. Our goal is to allow all students to challenge themselves at their own level, not force everyone into a standard path.
Students have significant input into the material they perform. Act One believes in students presenting stories that matter to them, not pre-selected for them.
Act One programs have been designed to offer returning students mulitple growth opportunities from year-to-year.
Act One believes that the more comfortable a performer is, the more they will take risks and discover their true ability. Act One students have the opportunity to learn and perform on the same fully functional theatrical stage.
One of the biggest challenges for any student is to find a school that works for them. Act One's philosophy is that "no student walks through our doors unless they beleive they will enjoy and benefit from their experience here.
We are confident in our programs but also realize that everyone is a unique individual and that people and situations can change over time, through no fault of their own.
Act One offers a range of discounts to its students as part of our aim to help keep costs to families as low as possible.
Act One's philosophy is to be as open and upfront as possible with regards to all fees. Exclusive of class fees, all other costs are 100% optional and kept as low as possible, .
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Check out some of our students' work.... |
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2018 Year End Performance Trailer |
On Camera Class Short Film Project |
Uxbridge 24hr Short Film Challenge |
2019 Weekend of Monologues Trailer |
2017 Winter Cabaret Trailer |
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Act One prides itself on its devotion to high quality instruction. It is also true, however, that to truly succeed, perfomers need the opportunity to put new found knowledge and training to the test and gain experience and confidence in the performance of their growing abilities. We are committed to helping this process. During our school year, students have the opportunity to perform in at least three seperate events and perform on up to 12 show nights. Here are some details.......
This event takes place at the end of the Fall Term, Spanning six nights. students perform material from their class focus; such as short scenes, musical numbers, improv games and short film projects, etc. The aim is to provide students with the opportunity to gain experience in collabortive performance and to test out new skills, in a supportive environment that gives them the confidence to take risks and challenge themselves.
This event allows students to put into practise skills and techniques surrounding solo performance, such as monologues and musical solo numbers, etc. Improv students explore character-based work. Comfort with solo performance is important for all performers, as it is an integral component in most performance endeveours (film, TV, plays, etc). It is also essential for most professional auditions and can yield valuable confidence in any general public speaking setting.
Act One is constantly seeking out opportunities for its studnts to gain performance experience. We have been an active participant in various events over the years, such as the VIP Drama Competition, Uxbridge 24hr Short Film Challenge, City of Pickering's Artfest, etc. As these events vary year to year in operation and focus, it is unfortunately impossible to guarantee that they will be available in any given year.
Each class has the opportunity to work on and present a full-scale production, based on the focus of their class (ie. Theatrical Play, Short Film, Musical, etc). These take place in June and allow students to test the full range of knowledge and skills they acquired over the class year.
| Act One 2024-25 Class Fee Schedule (Please add 13% HST) |
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| Note Regarding 2024/25 Class Fees: Act One takes great pride in keeping its fees as low as possible. Over the previous 16 years, due to strict attention to cost control and a focus on student value, we were able to restrict annual increases to below 3%. Unfortunately, due to significant cost pressures from all our suppliers over the last twelve months, for the coming year, a 3.5% fee increase has been impossible to avoid. Please rest assured the school remains committed to keeping its programs as financially accessible as possible to all eastern GTA families. |
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| Total | Monthly | Term | Year | Cost/Hr | |
| 36-week Classes (Sept to June) | Class Hrs | (9 x 4 wks) | (2 x 18 wks) | (1 x 36 wks) | (approx.) |
| Early Years Theatre Ages 3-4 | 54 | $116.75 | $472.84 | $893.14 | $17.84 |
| Theatre Basics Ages 5-7 | 54 | $116.75 | $472.84 | $893.14 | $17.84 |
| Theatre for Ages 8-9 | 54 | $122.50 | $496.13 | $937.13 | $18.72 |
| Theatre for Ages 10-11 | 54 | $124.00 | $502.20 | $948.60 | $18.94 |
| Theatre for Ages 12-13 | 54 | $125.50 | $508.28 | $960.08 | $19.17 |
| Theatre for Ages 14-18 | 54 | $127.25 | $515.36 | $973.46 | $19.44 |
| Musical Theatre for Ages 7-10 | 54 | $134.50 | $544.73 | $1028.93 | $18.62 |
| Musical Theatre for Ages 11-13 | 72 | $166.50 | $674.33 | $1273.73 | $19.08 |
| Musical Theatre for Ages 14-18 | 72 | $170.00 | $688.50 | $1300.50 | $19.48 |
| Improvisation for Ages 11-13 | 54 | $125.50 | $508.28 | $960.08 | $18.62 |
| Improvisation for Ages 14-18 | 72 | $162.50 | $658.13 | $1243.13 | $18.62 |
| Acting On Camera Ages 11-13 | 54 | $134.50 | $544.73 | $1028.93 | $20.55 |
| Acting On Camera Ages 14-18 | 72 | $171.50 | $694.58 | $1311.98 | $19.65 |
| 32-week Classes (Oct to June) | Class Hrs | (8 x 4 wks) | (2 x 16 wks) | (1 x 32 wks) | (Cost/hr) |
| Choreography for Musical Theatre | 48 | $127.25 | $458.10 | $865.30 | $19.44 |
| Adult Theatre Ages 19+ | 64 | $175.50 | $631.80 | $1193.40 | $20.11 |
| Adult Improvisation 1 | 48 | $120.00 | $432.00 | $816.00 | $18.33 |
| Adult Improvisation 2 | 64 | $175.50 | $631.80 | $1193.40 | $20.11 |
| Voice Over for Film/Radio Ages 14-18 | 48 | $N/A | $N/A | $N/A | N/A |
| Directing for Ages 16-18 | 48 | $N/A | $N/A | $N/A | N/A |
| Please note - 10% Term and 15% Year Payment discounts already built into fees. | |||||
| Available Class Fee Discounts: | |||||
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Act One's registration process is a simple one that takes about two minutes. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation e-mail within 48 hours indicating we have received and processed your registration . Please note that you can register one student for multiple classes in one form submission. For families registering multiple students, please submit one form for each child.
Registration Notes:
Click here to go directly to the on-line registration section
