TEEN  COURSES ~ 13 TO 19 yrs

Every BODY moves!
And we all move differently.

DANCE TECHNIQUE & REPERTOIRE PROGRAMS:

Learn, practice and perform the foundational elements of these fundamental dance styles.  Classes generally consist of a warm up, center work and floor barre, traveling, learning a piece of choreography, and a cool down to finish. But at Ovation!, you never know what else might sneak into your class each week!  New ideas, new teaching techniques, and stuff ‘outside the box’ are highly encouraged!

FLASH-MOB Dance SIZZLE!

~ for all-ages, all-levels of dancers ~ no experience required!

• An innovative program that encourages families to come and dance together! Inspired by Ovation’s! Flash-Mob dances, this unique class brings all generations of the family together – kids, parents and grandparents. For people 6 yrs and up to learn together, move together, and laugh together!
• The course is tentative for 2011-2012 - please inquire if interested and we'll do our best to schedule it again this season! It’s usually a 90-minute class for a 4 or 6-week session in the spring (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: Last season we did 6 community flash-mob performances from July into September. We anticipate the same for spring/summer 2012!
• Additional rehearsal hours may be required for the flash-mob performances as scheduled.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!

Ballet/Jazz Combo

Intermediate Tap

Mixed Medley: Ballet/Jazz/Contemporary

~ for intermediate to senior level dancers

• Course Instructor: Kate Knox
• In today’s dance world, the lines between genres, disciplines and styles are blurring every day. This class celebrates that cross-over by blending ballet with jazz and contemporary styles, working on technique, strength, flexibility, and repertoire/choreography. Extra time is spent on pure ballet technique and strength-building.
• Season 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Tuesday nights for 90-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase at the Ovation! studio; and a separate showcase piece created for the year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre.
• Additional rehearsal and production hours will be required when mounting the show in May.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!

Stage Presence: Movement Boot Camp for Actors, Singers and Musical Theatre Performers

~ For beginner to advanced level students (non-dancers), in the disciplines of drama, voice, or musical theatre, wishing to enhance their stage presence by developing body awareness, and physical connectedness to their performances.

• Course Instructor: Kate Knox
• This course is recommended for any performer (who is a non-dancer) to get in shape physically and prepare your body to sing, dance or act, allowing yourself to move more freely on stage. All young performers can benefit from this program. Most young singers rely heavily on their head/face/voice in performance and often forget about the rest of their body! Strong fundamental movement training can help you remember that performing (whether it's for the stage, film or tv) requires fluid, controlled, and believable movement, working together with great facial and voice expression.
• You will be moving, sweating, strengthening, and stretching in a variety of ways and through a variety of healthy-body-healthy-mind regimes.
• Season 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Saturdays for 60-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• Performances: this is a non-performance class. This class is all about you feeling great and moving well on stage. What you learn here you’ll take into all of your other classes and performances (and it may spill over into your real life as well – so beware!)
• **Course Fees: please inquire. For students enrolled in a full-season drama, voice or musical theatre course, you can add this course into your schedule at a reduced rate please inquire. Thanks!

BROADWAY & FOSSE JAZZ! Technique & Repertoire

~ intermediate to advanced level dancers master Fosse’s incredible technique and show-stopping style, along with some favourite broadway-style repertoire!

• Course Instructor: Kate Knox
• This class focuses on developing the technique and style of world-renowned dancer and choreographer Bob Fosse, and performing Broadway-style jazz! Fosse Style ~ Bob Fosse was an innovative and ground-breaking choreographer. Some of his most notable works include: All That Jazz, Liza with A Z, Chicago, The Little Prince, Sweet Charity, and Cabaret. Fosse style is known for isolation, creativity, humour and detail.
• Kate’s old-meets-new approach will help you master the core elements of Fosse and Broadway Jazz – elegance, dynamics, and precision. Jazz is a necessary component of the audition for any post-secondary or professional dance program. And Fosse jazz is challenging…..explosive….show-stopping!
• Season 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Tuesday nights for 75-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase at the Ovation! studio; and a separate showcase piece created for the year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre.
• Additional rehearsal and production hours will be required when mounting the show in May.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!

CHOREOGRAPHY: Creating the Dance

~ Intermediate to senior levels dancers.....Just because you know how to dance, doesn’t mean you know how to choreograph. This is your chance to spread your creative wings and create the dance!

• Course Instructor: Cynthia Croker is a co-Artistic Director of MOTUS O dance theatre (www.motuso.com ), one of Canada’s most successful dance companies. Cynthia is a dancer, director and prolific choreographer, who has been touring across Canada and around the world for 20 years. She’s currently on faculty at the world-renowned Banff Centre for the Arts and is a lead instructor with the prestigious Royal Conservatory of Music’s “Learning Through the Arts” program. In addition to creating and performing, Cynthia leads classes and workshops that focus on a variety of components of performance, with a special focus on drawing the most out of every performer.
• Using her 20+ years of experience, Cynthia explores the elements of choreography via Doris Humphrey’s ground-breaking methodology outlined in her book, “The Art of Making Dances”. Humphrey was a dancer/choreographer in the early 20th century and her book captured and categorized the elements needed to make dance interesting to watch. Her methods and ideas are still considered the gold standard in the practice of choreography. This course focuses on the elements of how to choreograph a new work with a professional understanding of physical, musical and visual design and composition. As dancers, it is imperative to understand stagecraft, and the various components of the art of making dances. Each lesson consists of developing the inspiration with which to create dance, and then exploring those ideas through form and function. Ultimately dance is for an audience. This program looks at elements that are interesting to the human eye and heart, and endeavours to create dance that thrills the audience!
• TENTATIVE FOR SEASON 2011-12 - LOGISTICS ARE BEING WORKED OUT!
• *Performances: there will be a showcase piece created for the year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre. There may also be opportunities to choreograph for the Ovation! flash-mob dances in the community.
• Additional rehearsal and production hours will be required when mounting the show in May and when working on the flash-mobs.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!

The Acting/Drama program

The ACTING/DRAMA program at Ovation! moves students through the full arsenal of acting techniques and dynamics. Each level moves at a steady pace that begins by introducing or strengthening the basic foundation elements of dynamics, movement and trust, and then streamlines to focus more intently on specific subjects, depending on the class.

Junior Drama

~ For beginner to intermediate level students, wishing to learn and practice drama skills in a demanding training environment.

• Course Instructor: Jeff Young
• This program builds on the foundational elements taught in the introductory program. It focuses on all the fundamentals of acting. Students engage in activities that include spatial awareness, collaboration, listening and responding. Students begin to explore drama through Dynamics, Movement, and Trust, including Mime and Mechanics. Some text work is also involved, and the goals of the course include: using the whole body to create movement, tension and place without the use of props; developing a means of artistic communication through body language exploration; and, encouraging an awareness of observation and recall.
• Season 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Monday nights for 60-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase at the Ovation! studio; and a separate showcase piece created for the year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre.
• Additional rehearsal and production hours will be required when mounting the show in May.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!

Intermediate Drama Course

~ For intermediate students wishing to learn and practice drama skills in a demanding training environment.

• Course Instructor/Show Director: Jeff Young
• This program is an extension of the principles and foundational elements taught in the junior program, with more text and scene work brought into play, along with stronger character, voice and physical work as well.
• Ovation! chooses intelligent, sometimes challenging, thought-provoking plays for our intermediate and senior drama programs. Any challenging subject matter is dealt with in a supportive and responsible educational manner.
• Season 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Monday nights for 75-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase at the Ovation! studio; and a separate showcase piece created for the year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre.
• Additional rehearsal and production hours will be required when mounting the show in May.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!

Stage Presence: Movement Boot Camp for Actors, Singers and Musical Theatre Performers

~ For beginner to advanced level students (non-dancers), in the disciplines of drama, voice, or musical theatre, wishing to enhance their stage presence by developing body awareness, and physical connectedness to their performances.

• Course Instructor: Kate Knox
• This course is recommended for any performer (who is a non-dancer) to get in shape physically and prepare your body to sing, dance or act, allowing yourself to move more freely on stage. All young performers can benefit from this program. Most young singers rely heavily on their head/face/voice in performance and often forget about the rest of their body!  Strong fundamental movement training can help you remember that performing (whether it's for the stage, film or tv) requires fluid, controlled, and believable movement, working together with great facial and voice expression.
  
• You will be moving, sweating, strengthening, and stretching in a variety of ways and through a variety of healthy-body-healthy-mind regimes.
  
• Season 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Saturdays for 60-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
  
• Performances:  this is a non-performance class.  This class is all about you feeling great and moving well on stage.  What you learn here you’ll take into all of your other classes and performances (and it may spill over into your real life as well – so beware!)  
  
• **Course Fees: please inquire. For students enrolled in a full-season drama, voice or musical theatre course, you can add this course into your schedule at a reduced rate please inquire. Thanks!

Master Class/Senior Drama Through Performance Course

~ For intermediate to advanced students wishing to develop their acting skills by training and producing a play for performance in a demanding training environment.
~ Students must AUDITION! for this program.

• Course Instructor/Show Director: Jeff Young
• A limited number of students will be accepted into this program where you'll produce a 45-60-minute play.
• When preparing for a role every actor asks 6 questions: WHO AM I? WHERE AM I? WHEN AM I? WHAT DO I WANT? WHAT IS MY OBSTACLE? HOW DO I GET WHAT I WANT? We will learn how to answer these questions during rehearsals of an edited full length play. Our aim is to achieve complete integration with the inner life of the character . You will learn to experience the strong forces that drive him or her, how to pursue that powerful want, and how to recognize what is stopping you, for conflicting needs and obstacles are what create Acting!
• As a production program, this course will put into practice the skills developed in previous years and experiences at Ovation! or through other drama programs. This intimate and focused training/performance class will build on the initial and intermediate foundation concepts of drama studies and will add some new concepts and elements into the mix. This program prepares students for post-secondary studies and performance. You’ll delve deep into voice, characterization, speech, and thematic communication, through script and scene study, culminating in the production of a play. Script choice will be finalized after enrolment in the fall, and specific casting will be done internally through studio work.
• Ovation! chooses intelligent, sometimes challenging, thought-provoking plays for our intermediate and senior drama programs. Any challenging subject matter is dealt with in a supportive and responsible educational manner.
• Season 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Mondays for 2 hours (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase in early January (location/specs to be announced); a performance of the CHOSEN PLAY in late March (location and final specs to be announced); and a separate showcase piece created for the year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!

Ovation! Stage Writes - PLAYWRITING

~ For intermediate to advanced students wishing to write, direct, and act in original scenes produced for performance in a demanding training environment.

• Course Instructor: Jeff Young
• Theatre is the oldest form of dramatic storytelling, and many still consider it the most electrifying. Nothing beats the intensity of actors sharing the same air as the audience.
• This course introduces young actors to some of the central challenges and skills inherent to the art of playwriting (setting, dialogue, character arc, props, and plot through line). It provides tools and ideas that are useful for those who may wish to pursue playwriting in the future, but also provides a heightened understanding of how plays are made and how they work, all of which is important knowledge for successful actors and directors as well.
• Each participant will write at least one short 5-7min scene. Creative feedback will be given during live performance-workshop sessions, by the instructor and other members of the course. After the workshop process is complete, the writer becomes the director and other members of the course become the actors. Every member of the course is guaranteed to write, direct, produce and act in at least one piece of live theatre.
• TENTATIVE FOR SEASON 2011-12 - LOGISTICS ARE BEING WORKED OUT! It’s a 75-minute class (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: successful scenes will be performed during Ovation’s year-end performance event called Get STAGEstruck! at Markham Theatre
• Additional rehearsal and production hours may be required when mounting the scenes.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!

PRIVATE ACTING/AUDITION PREP CLASSES

~ Private classes (45-60 minutes) can be scheduled on Thursday evenings by speaking with Bonnie Craig, Academy Director Contact us!

Every voice is unique.  Learn how to develop yours and let it shine and be heard to its potential.

Ovation! vocal students learn an arsenal of vocal techniques, styles and dynamics, always with the goal of singing well and singing safely.  Each level is unique in its approach to learning or building on existing skill and comfort level.  Engaging, energetic and exciting, these courses are aimed at vocalists who wish to work and develop their voice and presentation skills in a variety of styles.  Classes are in a group format, and all students train and sing each class, which works towards controlling performance anxiety.

Versatile Vocals - Intermediate

- Intermediate ~ this is an intermediate skill-development program geared to students wishing to further develop their voice through technique, ear training, and performance in a variety of vocal genres.

• Course Instructor: Daniel Abrahamson
• Aiming for the concert hall, studio or the radio as a vocalist? Then versatility and strong performance skills are keys to your success. With this program, you’ll train and gain performance experience in a wide variety of vocal genres (jazz, rock, pop, theatre, classical, folk). You’ll refine vocal technique required for each genre, and develop a critical ear and eye. Solo, ensemble, and harmony work is included. A solid vocal warm-up and work on technique is a feature of every class. The students change music genres every 5 or 6 weeks and each of these mini-sessions culminates with an in-studio 'performance'. We videotape these performances and class-work regularly in order to provide feedback on both the audio and visual components of students' performances. Your voice is unique. This program will teach you how to let it shine and be heard to its potential.
• Season 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Wednesday nights for 90-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase at the Ovation! studio; and a separate showcase piece created for the year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre.
• Additional rehearsal and production hours will be required when mounting the show in May.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!

Vocal Ensemble - "Glee-inspired" Show Group

~ this program is geared to high school students & adults wishing to fill their lives with “GLEE”! An audition is not required, but participants must have some previous vocal experience.

• Course Instructor: Cheryl Cline
• This is a "GLEE"-inspired program……a fabulous vocal class working on a variety of popular music arranged for a small performance ensemble. Song choices include material from The Beatles catalogue + a wide range of ‘big’ songs from the 70's, 80's, 90's and today. We always have fantastic ideas for performances including potential FLASH-MOB opportunities! Versatility, exciting repertoire, lush harmonies, and strong showmanship are the key elements here. Big, bold and exuberant best describes the feel and intent of this course!
• Season 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Saturdays for 75-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase at the Ovation! studio; and a separate showcase piece created for the year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre. Local flash-mob opportunities will be explored through the season as well.
• Additional rehearsal and production hours will be required when mounting the show in May.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!

Stage Presence: Movement Boot Camp for Actors, Singers and Musical Theatre Performers

~ For beginner to advanced level students (non-dancers), in the disciplines of drama, voice, or musical theatre, wishing to enhance their stage presence by developing body awareness, and physical connectedness to their performances.

• Course Instructor: Kate Knox
• This course is recommended for any performer (who is a non-dancer) to get in shape physically and prepare your body to sing, dance or act, allowing yourself to move more freely on stage. All young performers can benefit from this program. Most young singers rely heavily on their head/face/voice in performance and often forget about the rest of their body! Strong fundamental movement training can help you remember that performing (whether it's for the stage, film or tv) requires fluid, controlled, and believable movement, working together with great facial and voice expression.
• You will be moving, sweating, strengthening, and stretching in a variety of ways and through a variety of healthy-body-healthy-mind regimes.
• Season 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Saturdays for 60-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• Performances: this is a non-performance class. This class is all about you feeling great and moving well on stage. What you learn here you’ll take into all of your other classes and performances (and it may spill over into your real life as well – so beware!)
• **Course Fees: please inquire. For students enrolled in a full-season drama, voice or musical theatre course, you can add this course into your schedule at a reduced rate please inquire. Thanks!

PRIVATE VOCAL CLASSES

~ Private classes (45 minutes or 60 minutes) can be scheduled by speaking with Bonnie Craig, Academy Director. Contact us!
 
Each weekly lesson is tailored specifically to each students' level of ability, taking into account their desired specialties. Focus is on developing the natural voice, with a strong foundation of proper technique while allowing for personal style. Students are given a solid warm-up, and then work on repertoire chosen with the teacher.  Private classes are booked directly through the Ovation! office to match student with instructor and the most suitable day/time of the week.

Who doesn’t love a good musical?  What’s better than Singing…Dancing…and Acting…all at the same time?  Nothing!
The Musical Theatre Programs at Ovation! offer students a chance to delve into this highly creative field by developing and honing skills in all 3 disciplines for the musical theatre performer.   

• In all program levels, students work towards creating a variety of songs, scenes, dances and monologues from both the traditional and contemporary musical theatre repertoire. Classes run the gamut across the core disciplines, and the weeks vary in content and structure.
• Flexibility allows for specific classes focused on key foundation elements of all disciplines, from movement style and choreography, to character vocalization, script analysis and character development.
• All program levels include discussion around Musical Theatre History, and the college prep/senior level also covers Audition Techniques and Resume Writing, in order to prepare the students for things to come!

Musical Theatre - Intermediate

~ this is an intermediate skill-development program geared to students wishing to further develop their ‘triple sensation’ skills in singing, dancing, and acting for the musical theatre performer.

• Course Instructor: Daniel Abrahamson
• This class is focused, but fun and exuberant and features material from a variety of musicals and styles/genres (shows like Cabaret, Into the Woods, Godspell, Legally Blonde, for example). All 3 'triple sensation' elements are included in this program, with instruction given in each area.
• The students from this level are also integrated into the senior musical theatre production program every 2 or 3 weeks throughout the season. They do their own class plus they stay for an additional 75-90 minutes longer to do skills development and show rehearsal with the senior class. They participate in the show doing some solo and ensemble/chorus work. (The extra time/rehearsal schedule is announced in the winter.) The senior production for 2011-2012 is OVATION'S 'SHOW OF SHOWS'!
• Season 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Wednesdays for 90-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase in early January (location/specs to be announced); a performance of the SHOW OF SHOWS! in late March (location and final specs to be announced); and a separate showcase piece created for the year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!

Stage Presence: Movement Boot Camp for Actors, Singers and Musical Theatre Performers

~ For beginner to advanced level students (non-dancers), in the disciplines of drama, voice, or musical theatre, wishing to enhance their stage presence by developing body awareness, and physical connectedness to their performances.

• Course Instructor: Kate Knox
• This course is recommended for any performer (who is a non-dancer) to get in shape physically and prepare your body to sing, dance or act, allowing yourself to move more freely on stage. All young performers can benefit from this program. Most young singers rely heavily on their head/face/voice in performance and often forget about the rest of their body! Strong fundamental movement training can help you remember that performing (whether it's for the stage, film or tv) requires fluid, controlled, and believable movement, working together with great facial and voice expression.
• You will be moving, sweating, strengthening, and stretching in a variety of ways and through a variety of healthy-body-healthy-mind regimes.
• Season 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Saturdays for 60-minutes (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• Performances: this is a non-performance class. This class is all about you feeling great and moving well on stage. What you learn here you’ll take into all of your other classes and performances (and it may spill over into your real life as well – so beware!)
• **Course Fees: please inquire. For students enrolled in a full-season drama, voice or musical theatre course, you can add this course into your schedule at a reduced rate please inquire. Thanks!

Master Class/Senior Music Theatre Through Performance Course ~ Ovation’s! Musical: “SHOW OF SHOWS”

~ For intermediate to advanced students wishing to develop their musical theatre skills by training and producing a musical for performance in a demanding training environment.
~ Students must AUDITION! for this program.

• A limited number of students will be accepted into this program where you'll work towards creating your own musical called the “SHOW OF SHOWS”. Students learn how to create new material and weave a variety of songs, scenes, dances and monologues from both the traditional and contemporary musical theatre repertoire into a comprehensive and cohesive story and musical theatre production!
• As a production program, this course will put into practice the skills developed in previous years and experiences at Ovation! or through other similar programs. Specific casting will be done internally through studio work.
• Season 2011-2012 Course Schedule - this course runs on Wednesdays for 2 hours (schedules may shift & are being finalized imminently).
• *Performances: there will be a mid-season showcase in early January (location/specs to be announced); a performance of the SHOW OF SHOWS! in late March (location and final specs to be announced); and a separate showcase piece created for the year-end Get STAGEstruck show at Markham Theatre.
• **Course Fees: please inquire. Thanks!