In an exciting new phase of a creative educational partnership, the Ottawa School of Theatre (OST) has teamed up with Burning Passions Theatre to present a pair of performance-related classes with award-winning professional director Laurel Smith on Sunday, September 15 and Sunday, October 20, 2024.
The day-long master classes, hosted at the Ottawa School of Theatre’s Orleans location, will focus on Audition Technique (September) and Scene Study (October).
“We’ve heard that there is a need for more professional development opportunities for theatre artists in Ottawa, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with Ottawa School of Theatre to create these opportunities for actors to play and grow,” says Smith, Burning Passions Theatre’s Artistic Producer. “It’s hard to get this practice outside of a rehearsal room, and we hope these workshop will also help artists come back together and meet new potential collaborators.”
The OST is Ottawa’s longest running theatre school. With over 30 years experience, they provide theatre arts education and hands-on experience to students of all ages, from 5 to 105, in both English and French. Its mandate dovetails perfectly with the history of Burning Passions Theatre, which since 1998 has combined professional productions with an extensive focus on theatre arts and technical training, new play development, and making theatre accessible to all.
Many Ottawa residents are familiar with Burning Passions Theatre’s signature project, the acclaimed Classic Theatre Festival, which after a successful, award-winning decade producing Broadway favourites in Perth, relocated to Ottawa in 2022 where it staged two additional summer seasons. The company has undergone a strategic review, which will see it building an increased focus on its core mandate of training, mentorship, and new work development.
With over 45 years of experience as performer, director, dramaturge, playwright and producer, Laurel Smith is enthused about the continuing partnership with OST, and looks forward to welcoming new participants.
“It’s almost hard to put into words, but there is a magic that happens when we explore the possibilities of character creation and development in the theatre,” Smith says. “For me, rehearsal halls feel like sacred spaces where performers open themselves up to their vulnerabilities, creativity, and insights as we put together the pieces that lead to staging a piece that connects on an intellectual and emotional level with audiences.”
Smith stresses the importance of storytelling in a world beset by strife, stress, and sickness, noting that during the height of the pandemic, it was online streaming platforms that provided entertainment that helped many deal with the difficult reality of lockdowns and uncertainty.
“While acting is often an act of inspiration, it’s also a lifelong commitment to training and learning new techniques to stay in touch with the theatrical muses and continually improve how you create and share characters and stories,” Smith says. “The bond you develop with an audience is based on being as truthful and authentic to the character as possible, so those watching can relate on an individual level to what is happening on the stage because you have made it real for them.”
Those wishing to register for the September 15 Audition Masterclass can click here:
For the Scene Study Masterclass on October 20, please click here: