1) For new performers, the basics of improv: collaboration, association, acceptance and exploring details
2) For experienced improvisers: scene elements, story & plot
For all: 
3) A deeper understanding of the complex relationship between society and theatre and the effects they have on each other
4) The importance of theatre within any given society.
5) General knowledge and understanding of the various cultural and traditional styles of theatre we will visit.

But mostly:
I aim to spark within your learner both a desire to learn more about theatre arts and a respect for the way different cultures use theatre for different purposes.

I want to acknowledge that as Canadian of Scottish descent, I have no right to speak on behalf of other cultures around the world nor claim to speak from experience of diversity. I am sensitive to this.  My lifelong experience and training is in theatre arts and performance, and it is from that place I find my voice and focus. I aim only to share the respect and awe I have come to know from learning about theatre around the world throughout history.

I first enrolled in theatre school when I was 8. I then began a professional film and television career when I was 12. That was over 35 years ago. 

I continued to train for eight years in acting, improv, musical theatre, scene study and performance. And then my career took off and I could only keep up with training periodically. I was a lead actor in 5 different TV series and did too many movies to list. I always continued to return to training along the way, with various teachers and coaches, expanding to include techniques and styles of Chekov, Meisner, Strasberg, Method acting, and yet more improv. I still train now, with peers, when time allows.

I was fortunate enough to achieve minor celebrity status for a time (people often recognize me from the Bride of Chucky or Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda). I have been lucky to work alongside many bigger names and some great actors; Jennifer Tilly, John Ritter, Kevin Sorbo, Louis Gossett Jr, Katheryn Heigl, James Woods, Rhea Perlman, Michael Moore, Michael Ironside, Alan Arkin, David Carradine and Eugene Levy, just to name a few.  For the Canadian Geminis (what used to be Canada's answer to the Oscars or Emmies and are now called the Canadian screen Awards), I was nominated twice and won once (2002). 

I love teaching about theatre, movies, acting, writing & improv on Outschool. I have been doing so here for over two years now. A few parents asked me to offer a more comprehensive drama program for their learner's education... and so here it is!  

I hope to introduce your learner to the thrilling world of drama!

Homework Offered
Assessments Offered
At the beginning of each lesson, the class is given an oral test of the previous week and marked as a group. 
Grades Offered

Drama Teacher Academy - PD certificate - Approaching Drama Class with an Indigenous Perspective
Drama Teacher Academy - PD certificate - Teaching Theatre with Divergent Students and Class Sizes in Mind
Drama Teacher Academy - East Meets West Theatre Traditions (Noh, Kabuki, Sanskrit)
Britannica.com - general fact checking
Drama Notebook.com - Native American Integrated Arts; Pantomime; Asian Theatre History; African American History Month Drama Activities; 
The Royal National Theatre of London - Commedia Del'Arte