I was doing a production during my last year of high school, and the artistic director recommended I attend Studio 58 or Ryerson in Toronto. I didn’t really know anything about theatre schools, so I decided to visit Toronto and check out some of their programs. Just when I was about to leave for Toronto, I received a letter from Langara saying I had been accepted into Studio 58.
As a backup plan, I had auditioned for Studio knowing that only about 10% of students actually got in. They have auditions throughout Canada, so I knew it was a competitive program. It was a shock because I was 18 when I applied, and on the application it said that I had to be 19 just to audition.
It’s a tough program, people do drop out, and if you’re not up to par you can even get kicked out.
The Program
When they say that you should have no jobs on the side, they mean it. Studio is and should be your life 8-12 hours a day, for 6 days a week. I was at Langara more than I was home. It’s a tough program, people do drop out, and if you’re not up to par you can even get kicked out.
When it comes to work, Studio provides you with all aspects of the Theatre world: Acting, Voice, Speech, Writing, Mime/Clown, Tap, Singing, Choir, and Movement. You’ll also learn about all the backstage work as well including Stage Craft, Lighting, Sound, Publicity, as Props.
The length of the acting program is about 3 years. There were 6 terms all together. The first 3 terms were spent training in formal classes, while the last 3 terms we would mostly rehearse for the shows we were putting on. Classes usually started at 9 and ended around 5 or 6ish. After classes we would have a crew call to work on any shows that were being produced. We had 2-3 shows a term, and if you go to the Langara website you can see past, present, and future shows.
During graduation, we would get invites to audition for the theatre companies in Vancouver as well as several Agents. Contacting and setting up auditions was all up to us though. They did have business workshops on how to work with companies, the process of getting grants, and going about creating work. I personally have gotten a lot of invites for auditions from the headshots and resumes that are posted on the Studio 58 website.
I would recommend Studio 58 to anyone that is passionate about theatre.
The Verdict
I would recommend Studio 58 to anyone that is passionate about theatre. If you think it will make you a big star, bring you fame and fortune; then this is definitely not the place for you. However, if you love acting, want to be technically trained, and are willing to dedicate yourself to the craft by all means audition.
As of now, I am personally focusing on film and television work. I can say that having Studio 58 on my resume has definitely helped me get my foot in the door. From my agent, to the people I audition for, everybody seems willing to see what a Studio 58 grad has to offer. We did have film classes to accompany our theatre classes, and it has definitely helped me become a more versatile actress.
I do have a full time job outside of acting, which pays for bills and living expenses. It’s tough getting work, I’m not going to lie. However, I have still been going to auditions and finding work on set in smaller productions.
(2 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
Loading ...
Almeera
Win
Studio 58 has one of the best reputations in the country for training young artists to grow and create their own work. I attended the school for three and a half years, and while I met some challenges that were beyond my expectations of the school, of training, of life! I was never unsure of my place there. I was there to learn to be an actor, to be an artist, and that’s what I got.
I think there are always moments when you question what you are doing with your life at any given point, and of course I had that too, but I do not contribute that with the school or the faculty. It was a very difficult program, with many ups and many downs, but as I graduated, I heard the words of our teachers ring through my head. If you can make it through this program, you will make it through the real world of theatre. It’s true. Nothing I have come across has been as hard, and yet I always feel 100% prepared and ready to work when I am called to be an actor.