How does the schedule work?

We offer classes during six sessions per year (Jeb/Feb, March/April, May/June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct, Nov/Dec). Registration opens generally one month before the start of a new session and most classes have an early-bird deadline and a regular class deadline.

How will I be notified if I am accepted into class?

We will contact you no later than 3 days after the regular session deadline (usually 7-10 days before the start of the first class) to let you know if you’ve been placed in your first or second choice. If we cannot place you in a class and you have paid the early bird registration fee, the entire fee will be returned to you via e-transfer.

What if I have to miss part of a class for an audition?

Please let John or Shaun know ahead of time so they can re-arrange the order of the scenes and notify the other actors. You can leave class early or arrive late after an audition.

What class am I best suited to?

We recommend John Gordon’s On-Camera Scene Study class if you are a working theatre or film/television actor. JG’s Master/Advanced Class is best suited for actors who are working regularly in film/television and theatre or who have studied with John for at least two terms.

Shaun James McComb’s class if best suited for actors who are new to the craft or are looking to re-examine their technique by working at a slower pace than JG’s regular and advanced classes.

If you’re still unsure, it’s best to audit either John + Shaun’s classes to see what would be a good fit.

How do I audit a class?

The Dirt encourages new students to drop in and audit our in-person on- camera scene study classes for free. We just ask you to arrive 10 minutes before class and stay for as little or long as you like. The address of The Dirt is 636 Pape Avenue (entrance off Cavell Avenue, behind John’s video). Please give us a heads up email first at john@dirtunderneath.com for John’s classes and at shaun@dirtunderneath.com for Shaun’s classes.

For online classes please email John or Shaun directly to request permission to join the Zoom sessions.

See Registration page for a complete list of class times or click HERE for the full Dirt calendar.

Why did I not get placed in the class I applied to?

We try very hard to accommodate all the students that apply to The Dirt. Students are placed into classes based on experience, optimal pairings with other actors, and availability. If we are not able to place you, we will certainly recommend an alternate class at The Dirt or another studio.

If I’ve taken class before at The Dirt, do I still have to fill in an online registration form?

Yes please! It helps us organize our numbers for the classes.