Testimonial from Christian Lloyd (select credits: American Gods, The Handmaid’s Tale, Map to the Stars)

“I just saw US; the latest film from Jordan Peele.  It’s a brilliant allegory for how we, as humans (and especially artists), get in our own way.    There’s forever a demon on our shoulder telling us we’re not good enough, attractive enough, tall enough, short enough, bookable enough and we let that “other” side, the fear based side, win.   John has a finely tuned, innate ability to cut ourselves from ourselves and let our individualism approach the scene.  Snowflakes look the same until you brave the microscope.   

The demons will always be there.   John has a way of giving them less agency. ”

Photo Credit: Christian Lloyd (Getting Captured Photography)

We are ecstatic that Shaun James McComb will be joining our teaching roster and starting a brand new On-Camera Scene Study class on Tuesday evenings, in March 2019. The new class (The Cycle) will be geared towards those new to the craft or are looking to re-examine their technique by working at a slower pace than John Gordon’s regular and advanced On-Camera Scene Study classes. Shaun will also be co-teaching Monday afternoons with John Gordon starting in March.

More about The Cycle: As actors we can spend a lot of time trying to be ‘good.’ Perhaps this elusive goal is set because we simply need the next job or we want some sort of feeling of success to justify our life choices as an artist. At the Dirt, we understand that that pressure we put on ourselves can restrict our playful impulses while in the act of make-believe. The Dirt has honed in on some key concepts that The Cycle unpacks to bridge the gap between technique and play.  By working at a slower pace The Cycle aims to keep acting fun, develop strategies to utilize the actor’s natural nerves, and form a vocabulary that ignites a free imaginative flow from analysis to practice to performance.

More about Shaun: Shaun is a graduate of Humber College’s Theatre Performance. He completed the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre Training at the Stratford Festival under principal David Latham. Shaun had a short stint in the MFA program at York University and is now currently completing his MA at the University of Guelph where he is also teaching acting. Along the way Shaun also studied privately with a variety of on-camera coaches including John Gordon. Shaun splits his time between Toronto and Guelph, where he grew up.

“Working with John over the years, both privately and in class, has been (as John would put it) “a blast”. His approach to a scene or character is always with a sense of curiosity, and humour, using his knowledge of life and work to lend empathy and insight. He has both deepened and brought a sense of ease to my work and how I approach it.

I believe learning comes through doing; coaching with John provides the forum to explore a scene a variety of ways, providing me with options, layers, and the readiness I need to go into any audition or set feeling prepared and ready to play.”

—Natalie Brown, actor (Jack Ryan, Crown and Anchor, The Crossing, XX, The Strain, Sophie)

I had a very short notice for my Kim’s Convenience audition and immediately called John.  He challenged me to dig deeper into the scenes and reminded me to slow down and work moment-to-moment. He gave me the confidence to trust my instincts and truly bring myself to the work.

There are so many reasons why I continue to study with John but what I have found most useful over the years is simple: it really is a class.  You aren’t prescribed what your ‘type’ is or given material according to your ‘hit’.  John works with each individual and offers guidance to help actors find a process that is entirely their own.  He creates a room full of curiosities and humour where you are given space to learn and grow, a space where “failing” is celebrated.  The goal is always toward finding truthfulness while breathing and playing with your heart wide open.

Nicole Power (Kim’s Convenience, Sisters {Soulpepper})

As actors, we come to realize much of our career is about stamina. How can we keep things interesting for ourselves? Continue to seek out inspiration? Our agent and peers tell us how well we’re doing; auditioning semi-regularly, booking a few times a year. That fun day on set arrives. We update our resume: Cop #2, Funny Chick at coffee shop, Grieving Mom, Aggressive Frat Boy. Essential to the story, but nameless.
We’re searching for something more creative, to sink our teeth into… So we sit down, start to write. We’re excited. We’re going to have a name! Maybe even a last name!! Our protagonist begins to take shape: A person who grew up in the suburbs, works a meaningless job, barely keeping their artist dream alive, earnestly taking to heart the dreary advice of ‘write what you know’…

Let’s reinvigorate this inevitable stage of creation. Attend a 2 day collaborative weekend workshop at The Dirt to unlock characters within; characters you’ve been talked out of believing you are equipped to embody.

Over this 2 day workshop we will use improvisational techniques to develop a character with you. We’ll work through exercises to develop physicality, lean into status work, and have you live within imagined scenarios. We’ll work to find your protagonist. Whether that be Young Woman From The Prairies, Wacky Neighbour With A Dark Secret, or even… no…that’s unrealistic why bother?…the lead. The lead!!!??? Yep. The character with seemingly effortless ease and status who has a long long term objective and spends the whole play/series/movie getting f’d with and overcoming. Whoa. Weird. Are you guys sure about this? For the love of heck, why not!? We’ll give you the space to experiment and explore, using your own lived experience to create a unique and multifaceted character. This weekend requires commitment and a willingness to throw yourself into the deep end and stretch. If you are brand new to improv we recommend taking a few drop-ins at the dirt before applying.

Working with John at The Dirt allows me to get out of my own way while staying in my lane. I’m always looking for ways to stay loose while digging deeper into the work without getting hung up on old (bad) habits or tricks, or letting fear of failure and stagnation lead the way. I don’t get to muscle through here.

As a coach, John’s generosity towards the actor and their work is limitless- he facilitates a safe space to explore, create, and grow which creates confidence and ease on set, regardless of the circumstances. Often times I’ve been in classes where I’m in performance mode and don’t get the opportunity to dig down and open it up, seeing what potential may arise. John encourages us to step back in over and over again and to stay courageous with the work. There’s no fear or judgement here for me anymore, just a deep renewed sense of joy and excitement about working out.

If you’re looking for a place to really play and explore the work while witnessing and sharing in the development of colleagues and peers, The Dirt is where it’s at. There’s joy here. That’s a great thing. That’s John. And the music and chat before hand are stellar…

Stephanie’s credits: Cardinal, Shadowhunters, Workin’ Moms

On Thursday May 17 Hannah Spear will be offering our second improv workshop from 6:30-9:30pm.  Starting June 7, drop-in improv classes will be offered the first Thursday of every month, 6:30-9:30pm.

In this workshop we will use improv exercises to get you working more from impulse and instinct. We’ll work on playing from your personal point of view, using the wealth of experience from your life to make confident character choices. We will also work to get you comfortable failing.

Whether you are a pro, have taken a couple improv classes, or have felt slight terror at the mere thought of improvising… come to the Dirt for a few hours of challenging fun. This three hour workshop will be $15 (cash accepted on the day of workshop). Register by emailing hannahjspear@gmail.com

Read Hannah’s bio here

We’re delighted with our new location at 636 Pape Avenue.

Now what about actors? We show up and good for that. With the best of intentions we develop habits, many of them involuntary. Some give us a career, but we wonder why we’re not having as much fun as we used to. We seek spontaneity, but get onstage or to set and perform exactly the way we did at the kitchen counter. We feel this problem is unique to acting. We are unable to see similarities between art forms, only differences. Actors, like every other kind of artist, are growing, changing and need to practice. It’s amazing that we think we don’t need to.

First and foremost, acting is embarrassing. It’s way better when it is. We need a space to break patterns and habits, to stop worrying about whether it’s polished enough, to develop new points of view, to know not just know what the characters want, but why they deserve to get it. I believe breath connects us to emotional and physical impulses and that cannot be emphasized enough. I believe in comprehensive script analysis and working moment to moment to achieve visceral objectives. In front of the camera and onstage at The Dirt, this pursuit is not sacred and is full of silliness and joy.

The Dirt Underneath has been open for business  since 2014. Working actors at the top of their game are practicing here year round. I taught and trained at the Professional Actors Lab for nine years, two at Equity Showcase and conduct workshops at Bishop’s University. As a young man I trained at Bishop’s and Studio 58 in Vancouver. I direct, act and continue to study in Toronto. Actors need a place to practice. To dig in the dirt.

“Working with John over the years, both privately and in class, has been (as John would put it) ‘a blast’. His approach to a scene or character is always with a sense of curiosity, and humour, using his knowledge of life and work to lend empathy and insight. He has both deepened and brought a sense of ease to my work and how I approach it. I believe learning comes through doing; coaching with John provides the forum to explore a scene a variety of ways, providing me with options, layers, and the readiness I need to go into any audition or set feeling prepared and ready to play.” Natalie Brown/actor (The Strain, Cracked, Sophie)