ADVANCED ACTORS CLASS
Classes with Aaron Craven
Artistic Director Aaron Craven is one of Vancouver’s busiest performers and most recommended acting teachers. This weekly workout for advanced actors features a host of professional actors and emerging talent honing their craft.
The class features a combination of scene study, on-camera audition work, voice, improvisation — all the tools required of a professional actor. Class materials range from film and television sides to modern plays, with an emphasis on delivering grounded and authentic performances tailored for the screen.
Known as a busy working actor and generous coach, Aaron runs his classes with a high level of integrity. Cell phones are put away, actors are off-book and the work is fun and intense.
If you’re a serious actor who’s ready to put the work in, this is the class for you.
Previous acting training and an audit of class are prerequisites to joining.
"I love Aaron's straightforward approach. His passion and knowledge for the craft are contagious and his coaching skills are so beneficial in the auditioning process. I was truly impressed with the level of talent. I would highly recommend his training to any actor." - Jackie Lind, Casting Director, Emmy Award Winner.
Schedule -
Monday 6-10pm, ongoing.
Investment -
$310 + GST - 4 week block
$790 + GST - 12 week block
Location -
The Working Actors Gym Studio
Unit 203 161 Keefer Street
Vancouver BC V6A 4X1
ADVANCED ACTORS PERFORMANCE CLASS
Classes with Aaron Craven
Do you have the drive to perform rich material in front of an audience? This is a five week performance class for advanced actors, hosted by Artistic Director Aaron Craven. *The class is by invite only for Working Actors Gym students and alumni cast members from our theatre company's plays.
Actors will rehearse short, stand-alone plays for four weeks, capped with a performance for an invited audience on the final week. We invite industry guests, casting directors and followers of our theatre company to attend the final performance, a unified performance of these short plays. The final night is called "Short Plays and a Social." It's an invigorating and rewarding finale to five weeks of work, capped off with a social mixer after the final show!
Schedule -
Tuesday 6-10pm. Contact us for the next start date.
Investment -
$410 + GST - 5 week block
Location -
The Working Actors Gym Studio
Unit 203 161 Keefer Street
Vancouver BC V6A 4X1.
*Final performance in an alternate venue TBA.
FOUNDATIONAL ACTORS CLASS
Classes with Kate Craven
In this set of introductory classes with Kate Craven, newer actors will build foundational skills and understanding of both the craft and business of acting.
After working with actors of varying levels for the past two decades, Kate has developed an 8 WEEK FOUNDATIONAL ACTING COURSE which clearly and concisely walks actors through the process of preparation to performance, while maintaining professionalism on set. Each week covers a new aspect of the business, always keeping the emphasis on developing the actor as both artist and professional, creating firm foundations and acumen
in areas including: *character, *relationship, *genre, *voice, body, mind, *pre set, on set, post set, *professionalism, *agency advice.
Kate has an eye on delivering truthful performances on screen through script analysis, voice and body work and scene study, she also offers insight into in-person and on-tape auditioning, how to find the right head shot photographer and how to prepare for the shoot, how to seek out an agent, personal professionalism, on-set etiquette, and industry advice and pointers.
The final week of the course is dedicated to completing a one-minute demo reel built from class work, which can be used for agency search, or if already represented, to show your team your current work.
Kate offers a superior level of training and a safe space to learn the fundamentals of our art form by creating a calm but challenging environment with a focus on self-esteem and confidence so that all students feel the freedom to explore and grow. A healthy mindset and a respect of self and the creative process will always be at the forefront of the way Kate teaches.
Schedule -
Wednesday 6-9pm
Investment -
$620 + GST - 8 week block
Location -
The Working Actors Gym Studio
Unit 203 161 Keefer Street
Vancouver BC V6A 4X1
OUR COACHES
AARON CRAVEN Advanced Acting Coach
Aaron is the founder and artistic director of Mitch and Murray Productions. A graduate of the University of British Columbia, Aaron has been a busy screen actor in Canada and the USA for two decades. TV credits include recurring roles on Family Law, iZombie, Travelers, The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco, Somewhere Between, Ties That Bind and Gracepoint. Features include The Dresden Sun, Tim Burton's Big Eyes, The Predator, The Age of Adaline, and The Atticus Institute.
Stage credits for Mitch and Murray Productions include: Heroes Of The Fourth Turning, Snowflake (*Jessie Award nomination, lead actor), Lungs, Smart People, Detroit and Speed-the-Plow (acting) and An Intervention, Body Awareness and Sex With Strangers (directing). Other credits include Gaslight at the Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles and Wilde Shorts at Chemainus Theatre.
His play Instantaneous Blue had its world premiere with the company in January, 2023 at the Waterfront Theatre in Vancouver. He's also developing a TV series, Yakima, winner of top drama pilot in the Scriptation screenplay contest.
His experience in all these disciplines informs Aaron's approach as an acting coach. He brings a precision of direction and a keen eye for performance, script analysis and creative possibilities to his dynamic classes at The Working Actors Gym.
KATE CRAVEN Foundational Acting Coach
Kate began her training for film and television in Sydney, Australia with renowned acting coach Sandra Lee Paterson. On moving to Vancouver, Canada Kate found her home at The Working Actors Gym and has been studying with industry veteran Aaron Craven for the past decade, developing both her craft and her teaching technique, drawing largely on the principles of practical aesthetics.
She brings over 20 years of international industry experience (both in front of and behind the camera) to her classes, with broad experience on both stage and screen. A singer and dancer, Kate intertwines her teaching with vocal and body exercises so actors begin to find comfort in breath and movement, and confidence in who they are; not only as an actor, but also in who they are in the world.
Aside from acting and teaching, Kate is also a writer and is in development for over a half dozen projects. She is the Company Manager for Mitch and Murray Productions and produces the company’s annual theatre production alongside her business and life partner,
Aaron Craven.
PRIVATE COACHING
Private coaching sessions are available at our studio.
Starting at -
$50 / half hr.
$85 / hr.
A note on self-tapes:
If you are requested to tape for a UBCP/ACTRA project, congratulations - the production will provide you with a paid-for self-tape service, arranged by casting through your agent at a taping studio. This includes a professional studio setting with lights, camera, sound and reader at ZERO COST TO YOU.
We STRONGLY URGE all actors to use this service, a contractual privilege for UBCP/ACTRA projects. This right has been fought for by the union and is unique to our jurisdiction.
We believe in coaching an actor's performance. At the same time, we support the ethical stance that actors shouldn't pay to audition (including self-tapes). Additionally, off-camera readers should be compensated for their labour, which they are when actors use production-paid taping services. It's a win-win for performers.
Should you be taping for an out-of-town project or project not covered under a UBCP/ACTRA contract, we will gladly continue to coach and tape you in studio.
Break legs!
Location -
The Working Actors Gym Studio
Unit 203 161 Keefer Street
Vancouver BC V6A 4X1
Workshops
From time to time, we offer exclusive acting workshops with industry professionals. Sign up for our newsletter (below) so you can stay informed and register first!
On-Camera Audition Workshop with Anne Marie & Peter DeLuise
Thursday June 12th, 11am - 4pm. $145 or $135 for Working Actors Gym students.
Don't miss this rare opportunity to work with the dynamic duo of Anne Marie and Peter DeLuise. Actors will work with audition sides and receive feedback from the perspectives of these industry veterans who have a wealth of experience in film and television.
Over the course of her career, Anne Marie was a series regular on the shows Higher Ground, the CTV pilot Sabbatical and CBC’s Strange Empire. Later in her career Anne Marie also worked in casting with Jackie Lind for five years starting part time as a reader, then an assistant and finally as a casting associate. She has mentored several young actors through the local Women in Film mentorship program and loves helping actors “level up” their craft.
Peter DeLuise was a series regular on Seaquest and 21 Jump Street. He has been of one the busiest directors in Vancouver for decades, working on shows such as Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis, Stargate: Universe, 21 Jump Street, The Outer Limits, Jeremiah, Andromeda, Higher Ground, Hope Island, Painkiller Jane, jPod, Sanctuary, Kyle XY, Haunting Hour, Level Up, Cedar Cove, Chesapeake Shores, When Calls the Heart, Dark Matter, Shadowhunters and the made for TV movies 16 Wishes, Robin Hood: Beyond Sherwood, Romantic Comedy 101, and Zapped.
To apply, EMAIL US HERE and please include a headshot/resume with your email. Previous acting training or professional experience required. Twelve spots maximum.
