Company of Rogues Actors’ Studio provides a variety of workshops taught by our studio directors, Christianne Hirt and Joe-Norman Shaw. These workshops include Acting for Film and TV, Meisner Technique, Auditioning for Theatre, Scene Study and Play Polishing services.  Workshops can be delivered in-house at our Calgary-based studio (depending on availability) or out-sourced to other venues across Canada. Workshops are customized and priced accordingly based on budget, travel and workshop duration.

Rogues’ Workshops are ideal for College and University Theatre Programs, Talent Agencies, ACTRA Locals, High Schools and other actors’ groups seeking the best in professional instruction.

Acting for Film and Television: Working From Within Level 1*
This workshop is an introduction to the film acting process and the concept of “working from within” – the foundation of authentic performance. The fundamentals of on-camera technique are introduced through scene work and an exploration of the audition process- actors will work on a variety of scenes (sides) under “audition conditions”.

The instructor works individually with each actor, assisting them in crafting an authentic performance for the camera. The workshop culminates in a simulated audition, with the instructor taking on the role of casting director. The workshop also includes a discussion of the business of acting and the demands of the professional film audition.

*This workshop is ideal for actors making the leap from theatre to film or for actors beginning their journey into the filmic medium.

Instructor: Joe-Norman Shaw
Acting for Film and Television: Film is Behaviour

Level 2
This Level 2 class builds on the foundation laid in our Level 1 Film Class: Working From Within. This class delves into the heart of you- the actor. An approach to acting that is both intimate and personal. Through scene work, you will explore your personal connection to character and learn to break- down a scene into the most active elements. On-camera, you will discover the connection between subtext, conflict and private preparation- assuming a character’s inner life as your own. The workshop de-mystifies the film medium through gaining an understanding of the power of Authentic Behaviour.

Instructor: Christianne Hirt

Essential Meisner
Sanford Meisner was the Head of Acting at New York’s prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse where he developed a series of powerful exercises intended to allow the actor “…to live truthfully under given imaginary circumstances.”  This course is founded on his philosophy that “…until an actor is a more honest human being, only then is an actor ready to act”. The focus of the workshop will be to guide a dedicated ensemble of actors through Meisner’s Word Repetition and Improv Exercises. Actors will learn the Art of Emotional Preparation and what it means to work from the truth of themselves and off of the truthful behaviour of their partner. Intense and exhilarating!

Instructor: Christianne Hirt

Scene Study
This workshop provides an introduction to New York Style acting technique. “Living the part” or the concept of an actor’s subjective experience of character that was first developed by Stanislavski and later evolved through the work of Uta Hagen and Sanford Meisner in NYC. Drawing from these teachings, the instructor will work with each pair of actors to apply these valuable tools to the rehearsal of a prepared scene. These techniques are intended to take the actor deeper into their role, rendering a more authentic performance.

For this workshop, actors will need to have done preliminary work on their scenes: read the play, explored some basic blocking, loosely memorized lines and are ready to take their work to the next level. Also available with this workshop are a one-hour informal lecture and Q. and A. on the elements of this acting technique, as well as the historical context and significance.
Instructor: Joe-Norman Shaw

Auditioning for Theatre
Every year theatres across the country hold General Auditions that require the actor to perform prepared monologues drawn from classical and contemporary plays. This workshop assists the actor in staging their material to meet the demands of the professional theatre audition. The instructor will work with each individual actor guiding them towards an entertaining, dynamic and authentic performance.

Actors must read the play from which their monologue is derived and provide the instructor with relevant given circumstances. Monologues must also be memorized and ready for direction.

Instructor: Joe-Norman Shaw

Play Polishing
This service is intended for theatre groups whose production would benefit from some outside advice from a professional director. Our director is available to view problematic scenes or even a full-run of you show and provide constructive critique to strengthen your production with sensitivity to the experience level of your director and cast.

Director: Joe-Norman Shaw
Adjudication -With Joe-Norman Shaw
Studio Director, Joe-Norman Shaw has offered his services as an Adjudicator for the Zone 5, Calgary Area High School Drama Festival (Black Diamond), the Alberta Provincial Drama Festival (High River) and the Fine Arts Program at Central Memorial High School.

Joe’s extensive experience as an acting instructor, as well as an actor and director, allows him to provide constructive criticism that is practical and usable. Always respectful of the participants, he turns the adjudication process into a highly entertaining and educational experience for artist and audience alike.