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 Some
Frequently Asked Questions
and some of our answers...
Question: "Who will teach me?"
All of your classes are
designed and taught by
Theresa Sears and/or David Switzer... not by assistants or apprentices.
Question: "So, are you guys actors or teachers or
directors or what...?"
We each have more than
25 years of professional actor experience behind our teaching. We now coach a lot more than we perform
but we still work as writers, directors and producers on occasion [if
the gig looks good!]. We each have been working artists in theatre, radio, film and television all
our lives. We have worked as actors from Tokyo to Britain, from the States to
the North Pole... and all across Canada. We’ve written, directed, coached,
performed or produced on dozens of shows for all of the major TV networks,
from commercials to comedy to drama. All of which means we understand what's
demanded out there in the current work environment. [Want to know more
about us? Go to How to choose an Acting Class
for
details.]
Question: "How do I register for a class?"
THAT'S
EASY! JUST PHONE or EMAIL AND RESERVE THEN PAY FOR THE CLASS BEFORE THE
DEADLINES.... FOR MOST CLASSES WE
NEED A SHORT INTERVIEW OR AUDITION. No forms to fill out! No partial deposits to remember! But hurry, we always sell out... go to
REGISTER
PAGE FOR ALL THE DETAILS.
Question: "OK, which class should I take? Is there a
"level one" etc?"
No, you don’t have to take our classes “in
order.” We teach YOU, not the level of the class you’ve booked. Ask us and
we can help you select the class you need. Whether you’re aiming at small
theatre work or feature film, we want to make your journey as exciting and as
joyful as the destination.
If you haven't acted before,
or haven't had any formal training, or if it's been a while and you're rusty
start off with our 4-week
ACTING FUNDAMENTALS
workshop or the TV
COMMERCIAL class.
If you have
taken acting classes somewhere else or if you
have a fair amount of experience on stage or on camera you will want to take
any of our
intermediate classes or weekend workshops on specific skills.
Question: "How big is the class?'
Our class sizes are designed to encourage
maximum individual learning... Almost all of our classes are run at an actor:director
ratio of 8 or 9 actors per instructor. Our Acting Fundamentals class has 22
performers in it. Most other classes have 16 positions available.
Question: "What is your methodology? Do you
teach a specific style of acting""
We believe passionately that
you learn by DOING not by being told what to do.... our classes are very
active and designed to give you more time acting and less time watching. Over the many years that we have taught we have
developed our own unique method for training actors that combines the best
from
traditional actor training and the insights of the new body-oriented
methodologies.
Question: "Can I audit or observe a class IN
SESSION?"
We normally don’t allow
class audits; we believe that you only learn by participation and also
auditors can disrupt the class feel. Our methodology uses the assigned
scenes from the previous week’s session and we cast from the core actors
in class only but THAT MEANS that every actor works a lot in class. We
would love to meet you to chat or answer your questions anytime...
check the home page for this
month's open studio hours.
Question: "What about your studio?"
Our studio at 626 King
St. West in downtown Toronto is one of the best-equipped, most
comfortable, private acting conservatories in the world! Drop by and see
it and say hi.... check the home page for this
month's open studio hours.
Question: "Am I too old? Too young? How old do
you have to be to study with you?"
We have taught actors
from 18 to 80+ in our studio so old isn't an issue. We are so heavily
booked with our current adult clients that we don't work with actors
under 18. [Sometimes an agent will suggest a very talented professional
who's 16-17 years old and after an interview we may accept them, with
referral.] If you are under 18 we recommend that you check the
TAAS website for
current classes for young actors.
Question: "Are you an agency? Can you get me job?"
Yes, we run an active production and consulting
company in film, theatre and television but NO we are not a talent agency...
We won't get you a job but you will be better equipped to get one yourself!
Our first love [and our most important job] is training you for your work in
performance and presentation.
[Oh, and be cautious about
classes connected to an agency... sometimes they are fine but legitimate
talent agencies make their money through selling YOU, not through selling
you stuff like classes or websites or photographs or conventions.]
Question: "Should I just study with you? Will
you teach me everything I need to know?"
No, go somewhere else! Yes, we really believe
that you should study with other teachers in other studios. You need to build your resume.
We can teach you a lot, but keep growing and learning all you can all over
town. We
usually recommend our fellow members in the Toronto Association of Acting
Studios.
Question: "Are you a college or university diploma
credited school? Do I get a certificate or a diploma?"
NOPE! This is a private, conservatory acting workshop... you
study here just because it's a great place to learn about acting. [And yeah,
it will look good on your resume...] but no one really cares about your
diploma, just how good you are!
More FAQs about us? Just e-mail us, or call
416-5164612.
FAQ'S about acting in Canada? Join
Canadian Actor Online and check out their massive mega-FAQ file:
Canadian Actor Online - Actor
information, education & resources [but come back here for workshops on
how to become a BETTER actor!]
Sears & Switzer Studio is a proud
member of TAPA - Toronto Alliance for the
Performing Arts - Home ,
Theatre Ontario , and the Toronto Association of Acting Studios [TAAS].
Sears & Switzer
Productions operates under the appropriate agreements with ACTRA, Equity,
and WGC.
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