Studying with John came at exactly the right moment in my career. 

The way that Covid has changed auditioning and the sense of community we once had was eroding my love of acting. 

When I started studying with John, I immediately rediscovered why I had worked to become an actor in the first place. In his class, it’s not about being bookable or right for the part. It’s about doing the work. Delving into the scene and exploring the character, connecting with your scene partner and most of all – taking risks knowing there’s no judgement.

John brings a breadth of experience to his coaching and his passion for actors and doing the work is evident. He has a unique, open and humorous way of encouraging his actors to dive deeper into the scene or the character. When I’m in his class, the outside world slips away and I’m completely engaged; whether I’m on camera or I’m watching my fellow actors work and assimilate John’s direction.

Credits: (The Boys, Cross, Workin Moms, Signed Sealed Delivered, The Kennedy’s, YPF, Foolproof)

John creates the kind of environment for his classes that I used to dream of. It’s a safe space for experimentation, risk-taking, and growth, all while knowing that your artistic journey is being seen and respected. John’s exceptional ability to collaborate and guide scene selection enables students to focus on and explore the most challenging or exciting aspects of their work.

Every session I had with John left me feeling increasingly at ease and self-assured in my craft, which in turn bolstered my confidence on set and during auditions. John’s passion for the craft and the profession is not only evident but also infectious, inspiring me to approach my relationship to the work with the same level of energy and enthusiasm.

Credits: (Canadian Screen Award winner: Best Actor TV Movie, Priscilla, See, Star Trek: Discovery)

Click here to watch Bryce’s Video Testimonial.

Credits: Harry Potter and The Cursed Child (play)

When I first came to study with John, I was at a low ebb in my approach to acting.

I had lost much of the fun of performing, and each new project or audition brought on a sense of dread rather than one of excitement and possibility. Working with John has helped me to rediscover the joy of acting.

Not only does he encourage actors to try bold choices and risk failing spectacularly, but he meets each performer exactly where they’re at, judgement free. Having someone who is able to speak directly to my specific mental blocks and habits has been challenging, and ultimately deeply rewarding.

John’s unique insight and incisive direction have been invaluable to my growth as an actor, and I now approach each project with a confidence and curiosity that I will continue to develop thanks to him.

Credits: (The Way Home, Sex/Life, Romance Retreat, Saving Hope, Baroness von Sketch)

It’s really easy for actors to get bogged down with their bad habits, fears and demons, and nobody understands that more than John. One of the things I love most about him is that he always makes space for his students to acknowledge these parts of ourselves, without letting them run the show. He is incredibly intuitive and is able to assess an actor’s needs without calling attention to them. The morning of my callback for “Women Talking,” John delicately pulled me out of a negative spiral and placed me into a state of gratitude and trust… a state from which he knows I do my best work.

John has always been two steps ahead of me, offering scenes, exercises and words of wisdom that have pushed me in directions I didn’t know I needed to go.

Credits: (Women Talking, The Good Doctor, Murdoch Mysteries, Glass Houses)

John’s class was one of the first acting classes I took in Toronto. I came in as an extremely shy, very nervous, introverted person who didn’t have very much knowledge of the industry. I wasn’t loud, confident or comfortable with attention and I believed that who I was went against everything an actor was ‘supposed’ to be. It wasn’t until John gave me one of the greatest pieces of advice which finally allowed me to feel like I belong. He told me that I, Tanu was a shy person, and that was completely okay. “If you are shy, be shy. If you are loud, be loud. If you are confident, be confident. Be exactly who you are as a person, as long as you can allow yourself to be brave as an actor”. …It still gives me goosebumps.

Now years on, John’s class is one I always intermittently come back to. He wears his heart on his sleeve and inhibits a real honest human openness which instantly creates a safe and comfortable atmosphere for you to explore your artistry without needing to focus on a perfect end result. He meets you where you are and takes on board personal goals and preferred material that you the actor choose to approach. I always leave his classes feeling mentally healthier and more importantly having gained deeper insight into myself and the way I work. Also, he’s just a hella cool human overall! Thank you John, for always welcoming me with open arms and making space for me; shy Tanu the brave actor.

Credits: (Umbrella Academy)

I wouldn’t be where I am in this roller coaster world of acting
without John. The Dirt allows me to safely take risks and look at the
variety of ways one can play words off the page. I laugh, I cry, I
surprise myself, I fall on my face then get back up and always go back
for more. John has a terrific way of making you feel like an equal and
the talent in his class never ceases to amaze me.

Credits: (Porcupine Lake, Killjoys)

There are so many reasons that I keep coming back to study at The Dirt. It all starts with the first class of each session. John checks in with every student to see where they’re at. “What do you want to work on right now?” is a question that I’ve heard from him many times now, and each time my answer changes and evolves as I do as an artist… and each time, he listens. The Dirt is a refreshing in its actor-driven environment. It is about play and experimentation and getting confident and comfortable in what makes us all unique performers. It is an opportunity to work with other excellent actors, on film and tv scenes that are in tune with your specific goals of what muscles you want to stretch. John is a world class teacher and director. He has an ability to understand the essence of a scene and what is being asked of the actor in a way that has helped immensely in my auditions and when I’m on set. John embraces actors for who they are and helps them hone in on their individual strengths and work through any weaknesses. The bar is set high in his classes and the work is extremely strong. John is not a guru, and he doesn’t want to be. He is, however, an excellent acting teacher and I am damned lucky to have found him and The DIrt. This studio and community have had a profoundly positive impact on my acting career. I love this place. Thank you John.

Credits: (Stardust, Mrs. America, Handmaid’s Tale, Cyrus and Chels)