Personal Coaching:

In addition to our regular classes and workshops, Act One also offers more personalized individual and small group coaching for novices and experienced actors alike, regardless of age. Whether you have an upcoming audition you wish to be better prepared for, are seeking further insight and performance enhancement for a theatrical role you are currently cast in or simply looking for some pointers and assistance in presenting a short piece in the upcoming company "Variety Show", Act One's instructors can help through intensive one-off sessions all the way to a formally-mapped out coaching strategy over a series of weeks or months. Just as importantly, we strive to accomplish it in a fun and comfortable manner suited to your personality and style.

We can provide assistance in audition techniques and strategies, monologue selection and presentation, character and role development for upcoming or exisiting productions, voice and movement work for Musical Theatre, or just more individual drama and acting instruction for those who prefer a more personalized atmosphere or can not commit to a fixed weekly class schedule.

We can provide coaching sessions for up to a maximum of 4 persons per session. When more than one person is scheduled per session, all participants must be identified in advance and be attending for the same related reasons (ie. all seek audition instruction or all are in the same production or scene, etc).

Given the highly specialized and personal nature of this service offering, we request that you contact the school should you require more information or have further questions.

Examples of situations which can benefit from Personal Coaching:

• Selecting, analyzing and preparing a new monologue or providing a fresh twist on an existing one for an upcoming audition.
• Revewing and rehearsing audition scenarios and techniques.
• Pursuing more detailed, in-depth character development and performance options to enhance formal rehearsal and performance quality and success.
• Additional formal rehearsing and development of songs and/or dance numbers for music theatre-type productions.
• Quick "crash-course" assistance with developing, enhancing or practising a skit or performance number for an upcoming talent/variety show for your workplace, charity event or other function.
• Developing a training program for those with irregular and irratic schedules.
• Providing instruction and training for those who may initially be uncomfortable with groups of strangers and /or prefer to try things out in a more personal setting.
• For those seeking assistance with very specialized theatrical or acting techniques or issues.
• For those who simply wish to develop more confidence in whatever in-public or performance activity they will be engaged in.

Coaching Rates:

Actual rates are very dependent upon the nature of the coaching required and the numbers attending each session, but in general, the details are as follows:

• Base rates will usually be between $20-$30 per hour for individual one-on-one coaching..
• Rates will increase by $10/hr for a second person and $5/hr for each additional person. Personal coaching sessions are capped at 4 people.
• For larger group rates, please contact Act One directly.
  
• All rates are provided based on instruction taking place at Act One's location. Sessions can be off-premise with special arrangement. A travel expense fee may be levied depending upon distance. Any such fee will be solely to cover the cost of the travel involved.
  
• All fees are subject to taxes where applicable (PST and GST).
• Coaching sessions must be a minimum 1 hr and can be made longer in minimum 1/2hr increments. (Except in the case of larger group sessions or deadline pressures, Act One does not recommend coaching sessions of longer than 2hrs. A student will normally find two 1 1/2hr sessions, seperated by atleast a day or two for personal review, will be more beneficial than one solid 3-hr session. This is however entirely up to student request and instructor discretion).

 

Act One's "Discover Drama" Program for Scarborough and Durham Region Elementary Schools

As part of its operating philosophy, Act One and its staff believe in giving back to the community in which they live and work. As part of this, Act One is pleased to offer its free "Discover Drama" program to any elementary school in Scarborough and the Durham Region. Teachers for grades 1 through 8 at any school within this area who would like assistance in introducing drama and theatre to their students are invited to contact Act One.
At the request of the teacher, we can arrange for one of our instructors to visit the school and lead a 1-3 hour, fun, age-appropriate session of theatre games, exercises and other interactive activities to help the teacher demonstrate the many facets of theatre, from historical to contemporary and from conventional to improvisation. Working closely with the requesting teacher, the objective is to help provide teachers with a strong foundation from which to help them expand into other areas of drama and broaden students' interests and experiences with the performing arts
		If you would like more information on this community program, please contact the school. We would be happy to discuss your ideas and objectives and work with you to allow our program to help you acheive your goals for your students. We can be reached at (905) 420-8129 or info@actonedrama.com.

Act One's "Connecting With Community Theatre" Program

Act One is committed to both participating in and supporting Community Theatre in and around the Durham Region. Through its owner and Artisitic Director, Act One enjoys long-term relationships with many of the groups and organizations operating withing this area. In recognition of this relationship and the important contribution they make to our community, Act One is pleased to offer the following options to prospective and current Act One students and their families:

Community Theatre Member Discount

Act One is pleased to offer a 5% discount off registration fees for any workshop or course taken by a student who either is or is directly-related to a current, active member of a recognized community theatre group. Directly-related applies to being the child or sibling of another person who is the current, active community theatre member. To qualify for this discount, the prospective student simply needs to provide a copy of their applicable membership card or a simple, signed note from a member of the group's executive.

This 5% discount is applied after all other applicable discounts and adjustments and will be in effect for each and every course or workshop registered for.

To determine whether a group is considered a recognized community theatre group, the group should be a member of the Association of Community Theatres of Central Ontario (ACT-CO). You can view the list of current ACT-CO member groups by clicking here.

Theatre Ticket Discount Program

In addition to providing direct training and experiences to help its students participate in theatrical activities throughout their lives, Act One also strives to help them and their families enjoy watching theatre as well. Through its relationship with area community theatre groups, Act One has arranged for its students and their families to qualify for various discounts off the regular admission ticket prices for a number of local groups. These discounted rates are only available through tickets ordered through the school. They can not be obtained via the groups' normal box offices. Please contact the school for more details.

Currently, Act One students and their families can obtain discounts of between 10% to 15% for many of the season performances presented by the following groups:

	Scarborough Players	www.theatrescarborough.com
	Scarborough Theatre Guild	www.theatrescarborough.com
	Whitby Courthouse Theatre	www.whitbytheatre.org

We will be adding more groups as final details are confirmed. Please check back here regularly for additional group information or contact the school.

Act One's "Charities On-Stage" Program

Act One has receieved gracious support from many areas over the past years. In recognition of its current success and future promise, the school is now trying to give something back to the community at-large. Every year Act One presents year-end performances showcasing the accomplishments and skills of the students as reflected in the work they have mastered. Beginning this year, Act One is also presenting a Christmas Show for the families and friends of its Full-Year program students.

For all these productions, a nominal admission fee is charged. Most of the proceeds go towards covering the cost of presenting these shows, however Act One ensures that fully 25% of all proceeds are placed into the Act One School of Drama Charity fund. In the month prior to the performances, the school's students are asked to nominate their favorite charities and one of the nominees is selected as the recipient of that season's charity portion of the performance admission proceeds.

Following completion of the performances, a cheque is drawn on the Act One Charity Fund and is presented to the nominated charity on behalf of and in the name of the staff and students of Act One School of Drama.

2006-07 Charity On-Stage Recipient: Sick Kids Foundation