Acting and Theatre Camp Programs

Acting, Directing, Acting for Stage and Screen

Our Theatre Camps include acting programs that cover a wide range of styles and skills, from Stage Combat to Clown, Collective Creation to Scene Study, Shakespeare to Movie Acting, and we offer programs geared to all levels, from beginner to advanced.

At Centauri, campers choose one specialty arts program per session. To see a chart listing all the programs and their sessions click here.

August 2012 Acting and Theatre Camps...

July 2012 Acting and Theatre Camps...

Acting for Theatre and Film

Session 1, ages 13-18

Learn to be spontaneous, focused and alive in your performances as you tackle demanding roles both for live theatre and for a camera. We’ll learn how to dissect a script, build a character and breathe life into a scene. Our first goal will be to create scenes intended for a live audience. From there, we’ll transform our work for the medium of film, learning about acting on screen and developing a fearless relationship with the camera. What is the difference between acting on stage and acting on film? We’ll explore this question as we discover how to be versatile as actors. Join us for an exciting journey into stage and screen performance, and prepare yourself to tackle the demands of both!

Playing Shakespeare

Session 1, ages 14-18. Instructor - Eleonore Prokop

Delve into the kaleidoscopic world of Shakespeare and encounter the Bard as never before! Gather together his ghosts and ghouls, revel in his romance, feast with his fools and explore with us the forests, heaths, courts and palaces of the world’s greatest writer. In this program, we’ll unlock the secrets of Shakespeare’s language, landscape and character, working as an ensemble and incorporating diverse theatrical styles as we discover for ourselves the creative possibilities of Shakespeare. What happens when you meld his themes and characters with your own creative vision? Find out as you join us for an exploration of the actor’s craft, working as part of an ensemble to create an original theatre piece inspired by Shakespeare, for performance on the final day.

Theatre Just for Laughs!

Session 1, ages 9-14.

Have people ever told you that you are funny? Does comedy come naturally to you? If not, that's OK too! No experience is required for this comedic acting program; if you enjoy acting and like to laugh, then come on in! Performers will stage a monologue, discover how to make exciting scenes through improv, and then explore the art form known as commedia dell'arte, which uses hilarious stock characters, physical theatre and ridiculous plots to keep an audience in stitches! We’ll master the form, and use it to create scenes that will have your friends giggling non stop. In the final stage of our comedic adventure, we’ll write and perform our very own standup routines. Whether you are a seasoned comedian or trying your hand at humour for the first time, join us this summer and add comedy to your list of performance skills!

Stage Combat:"Upon my Honour!"
Famous Duels in History!

Session 1, ages 14-18.

Did you know that a Japanese Samurai responded to a duel with a rowboat paddle.. and won? That the Elizabethan playwright Ben Jonson killed a fellow actor in a duel? Or, that one famous French writer fought a duel while holding an umbrella, saying he would rather die than get wet? As an actor-combatant, you’ll begin by polishing techniques of unarmed combat, working to perfect an on-stage fighting technique and dramatic flair that is not only safe, but looks spectacular. Next, we’ll place a rapier in your hand! You’ll spend several days working on sword technique, before you apply what you have learned by recreating some of history’s most famous sword duels. We’ll rehearse our dramatic and comedic duels again and again, shaping our work into an exciting environmental performance that is guaranteed to amaze our audience on the final day. Some previous experience in stage combat or martial arts is essential for campers taking this program.

The Curse of the Vampire... Clown!

A Beginner & Intermediate Clown Project
Session 2, ages 14-18, Instructor: Jordi Hepburn

Whether you have taken Clown before or hope to try it for the first time, join us this summer as we build a hilarious clown show around all things supernatural! Learn the methods of Jacques LeCoq and put your body and imagination to work... clown is all about playfulness and fun! We’ll use creative movement, serious and comedic improv and a host of crazy activities to help you develop as a performer. Clown is an essential addition to every actor’s repertoire: there are few better ways to tap into your subconscious and discover sources of originality. Will your clown experience a zombie apocalypse, team up with Frankenstein to awaken a monster, or come face to face with Shakespeare’s witches? Join us for this hilarious one-of-a-kind program, and find out!
In response to your requests, we have designed this program to cater to experienced as well as beginner clowns. Campers taking clown for the first time will be asked to attend special elective workshops for the first three afternoons of camp in order to speed up the process of creating their clown. Then, both 'streams' of the program will come together to work on the final show!

Stage Combat: Robin Hood: An Actor's Guide to Unarmed Combat and Quarterstaff

Session 2, ages 12-18. Instructor: Ian Walsh

"In 1266 arose the famous murderer, Robert Hood, together with his accomplices, about whom minstrels sing.” So wrote Walter Bower in 1769. But who was Robin Hood, really? And who were his fellow outlaws? In this exciting actor-combatant program, we'll explore both the folklore and the history of a hero who has inspired countless movies, epic poems and stage shows. We’ll learn the basics of stage combat as we devise our production, moving from unarmed combat to explore the techniques of quarterstaff, dagger, found weapons and more. Be prepared to rehearse again and again with your partner, creating sequences that are spectacular and safe. Campers will have the opportunity to show off both their stage combat and their acting skills as we put together an action packed production that will explore the legend of Robin Hood. Journey with us into a magical world whose truths lies buried in the mists of time. This program is open to beginner and experienced actor-combatants.

Finding your Funny:
A Comedian's Guide to Long Form Improv.

Session 2, ages 13-18 Instructor - Alanna Balicki

Are you ready to outwit your own ego? Become spontaneous and truthful on stage as you perform as a collective with fellow improvisers? Then you're ready for Long Form improv and... (trumpets please) The Harold! The Harold is the most exciting form of improvisational performance, where we build a show from only one word, and just about anything can happen. Its founder, Del Close, described improvisation as “an actor living his life on stage”. In this program, you’ll learn to create interesting characters instantaneously and leave an audience craving for more. You’ll develop the confidence to make bold choices instinctively, and discover that you don't need gags to make people laugh: there's power in truth! Prepare to play your part in two mind-melding shows on the final day. Comedy lovers, I bid you welcome.

William Wallace: The Myth, the Man and the Sword!
Stage Combat (Broadsword)

Session 3, ages 14-18, Instructor: Hunter Gates

William Wallace is a figure of myth as much as history. His epic struggles against the English - and his tragic end - have given rise to multiple movies and novels... and now, to a Stage Combat performance at Centauri! Our adventure will begin as we revisit the basics of combat for the purpose of safety, then we’ll move on to quarterstaff, before tackling the mighty broadsword. We’ll rehearse our fight sequences again and again, preparing to dazzle our audience with a retelling of life in Medieval Scotland, along with the glorious victories and monumental defeats of one of the country’s greatest heroes. Join us this summer for a never-to-be-forgotten adventure as we plunge into the world of the characters who surrounded William Wallace, emerging two weeks later with a daring final show! Participants must have taken at least an introductory stage combat program - at Centauri or elsewhere - or martial arts training, in order to choose this program.

Play Writing and Performance

Session 3 ages 9-14 Instructor: Alanna Balicki

Take on the ultimate creative challenge as you join a dynamic team to write, direct, rehearse and stage a production! In this fast-paced program, you will design your own characters through improvisation and reflection, and let their relationships point the way to a compelling story. Discover what it takes to create an original performance piece as you experiment with creative media such as mask, clown, choral work, storytelling, movement, puppetry and sound. Together with your friends, mold your favourite characters and your best ideas into a single, coherent play to present on the final day. Arrive with an imagination, discover what it takes to create then stage a performance, and leave with a notebook of ideas to inspire you in the future!

Theatre: The WE Project

Session 3, ages 13-18 Instructor: Jordi Hepburn

What does We mean to YOU? In this exciting arts experiment, we will reveal a series of bizarre objects, recordings and newspaper cuttings to three programs on the first day. Using all this as inspiration, the programs will work independently - and collaboratively - on original arts creations, sharing their work in front of an audience on the final day. If you are an experienced performer looking for an unusual challenge, look no further! We’ll begin with workshops that help us to grow as actors, and stretch our concept of theatre style. Then, inspired by the given materials, we will collaborate on an original theatre piece. Play Writing, improvisation, soundscapes, music, physical theatre, clown, mask, choral work, character-driven scenes, monologues, storytelling and multimedia: we may use any and all of them to build our show, depending on the interests of our group. Learn by doing in this exciting arts experiment, and combine your original theatre performance with the work of two other departments on the final day. (See also: The WE Project Dance and The We Project Photography).

Performance Arts Extravaganza!

Session 3, ages 9-14 Instructor: Daniel Poulin

In this program we begin our journey with an idea, end with an original stage performance, and experience a wide range of arts activities along the way! If you like to act but you also have other creative interests, this is the program for you. Want to write a script? No problem! Create characters, improvise scenes, build masks and design your own theatre set? Sure! Our final production may include film, dance, soundscapes, painted backdrops, projected images and even handmade puppets, so there’s room to explore all of the arts!. You may choose to write music, sing, build props or focus entirely on your acting. If you play an instrument, know how to juggle, love creating costumes or excel at acrobatics - we’ll try to make use of it all. Bring along your interests and your skills this summer and join with us to create an exciting, multidisciplinary production to entertain our audience on the final day.

How to be an Actor in the Real World

Session 4, ages 14-18 Instructor: Valerie Buhagiar

So you want to be an actor? In this program we’ll provide you with a broad overview of the opportunities available for a working actor, and the skills you need to take advantage of each one. We’ll begin with stage performance, exploring monologues and scenes and trying out exercises that will ground you before you dive into a role. Next, we’ll teach you how to use your voice and develop a character for animation or radio. We’ll look at film, exploring an actor’s relationship to the camera, then move on to television as we try our hand at auditioning and commercials. Together we’ll explore the reality of acting - how to train, what it takes to succeed, how to get a role and what to do with it afterwards! All workshops will be practical, so actors will leave with two contrasting monologues and a bag full of tricks.

The Art of Performance

Session 4, ages 13-18 Instructor: Daniel Poulin

What is great acting? What makes a gripping and intriguing show? We’ll ask ourselves these questions, and participate in practical workshops that help us develop the skills we need to grow as performers. Then, we’ll explore the limitless possibilities of theatre by examining the work of experimental artists who refuse to be bound by traditional rules! How can we use theatre to communicate our social views? Is it possible to do new and exciting things with the actor/audience relationship, such as involving an audience directly in our show? How can we create fresh performance pieces that are meaningful in a world gone technological? Become a better actor, shake up your ideas of what theatre can be, and create a unique, experimental performance to share with your unsuspecting audience on the final day.

Theatre from the Page to Stage

Session 4, ages 8-14

What does it take to bring a play to life? Focussing on the role of an actor, campers will begin with scenes on the page - and end with a performance on the stage! You will be assigned a role, learn your lines, breathe life into a character and discover more about the rehearsal process. Along the way, you’ll take workshops in acting skills such as vocal projection, character development, improvisation, movement and scene study. Discover more about the theatrical process, from auditions to opening night, and learn how to approach your acting with skill and creativity as you mount scenes to share with an audience on the final day!

Theatre Beyond the Words

Centauri’s first ever bilingual English/French theatre program!

Ages 11-15 Instructor: Lauren Saunders

Join us this summer for our very first acting program taught in both the official languages of Canada! We’ll explore a variety of theatre styles and skills, from voice and movement to improv, mask, scene study, character development and collective creation. For campers with an interest in performance this program will provide plenty of excitement and inspiration - with the added benefit that if you are in French immersion or extended French, you get to improve your French at the same time - and just before school starts again! This bilingual program is also an excellent choice for campers who speak French as a first language, and wish to improve their English alongside their performance skills. Our instructor will switch between both languages as campers prepare a short piece of theatre in both French and English for presentation on the final day. Campers must speak some English and French to take this program: one language fluently and the other at least at a basic, conversational level.

Also check out our Stage Combat Camps

Check out our Film and TV Acting Programs

Check out our Musical Theatre Programs

Acting Camps 2012
Session 1 July 1 to 14	Acting for Theatre and Film (ages 13-18)
	Playing Shakespeare (ages 14-18)
	Theatre Just for Laughs (ages 9-14)
	Famous Duels in Histpry (ages 14-18)
Session 2 July 15 to 28	The Curse of the Vampire..Clown! (ages 14-18)
	Robin Hood: Unarmed Combat and Quarterstaff(12-18)
	Finding your Funny: Long form Improv. (13-18)
Session 3 July 29 to Aug 11	William Wallace: The Myth, the Man and the Sword! (ages 14-18)
	Play Writing and Performance (ages 9-14)
	The WE Project (ages 13-18)
	Performance Extravaganza (ages 9-14)
Session 4 Aug 12 to 19	Acting in the Real World (ages 14-18)
	Art of Performance (ages 13-18)
	Page to Stage (ages 8-14)
	Theatre Beyond the Words (ages 11-15)

"My son had nothing but praise for Centauri and the people he met there. He especially liked the opportunity to be productive in a non-judgmental atmosphere. He wishes school operated more like Centauri... when we witnessed what his troupe was able to stage after two weeks of development, we were astounded! They fully deserved the standing ovation they received."

"I just wanted to say a big thank you, and WOW, AWESOME! on the performances at the end of session 4. As parents, we saw incredible growth in our daughter's confidence and ability, as well as her willingness to speak out, show leadership and take on a significant role. What a fabulous opportunity - I want you to know she had a blast."

"Without Centauri, my children would never have appreciated live theatre the way they do." "I learned more about my craft at Centauri than I did in the whole of high school!"

"Centauri created an environment that fostered my creativity. I loved how I could combine writing, acting and directing into one piece."