Geordie Theatre School (GTS) is all about jumping in, having fun, working together and finding your voice!
Our multi-level workshops, after-school classes, public classes, and now our new GTS à la Carte classes provide children and teens with the opportunity to build a solid foundation in acting by learning the craft from passionate and caring professional educators and artists.
GTS offers a variety of ways for young people to experience the impact of theatre while encouraging strong skills in Confidence, Creativity and Craft.
Children and teens explore how to create fascinating characters, build exciting stories, and present them to an encouraging audience of family, friends and community supporters.
Each year GTS offers two sessions with classes being offered on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Registration for the Fall Session begins in mid-May with classes running from late-September to early-December with an in-class final presentation. Registration for the Winter begins in late-November with classes running from late-January to early-May with a final performance at Moyse Hall.
GTS Public classes usually take place at the Greene Centre (1090 Greene Avenue) which is easily accessible by car or public transit, however we are currently offering all classes ONLINE due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
GTS JUNIORS
Each session involves the creation of a final group performance that comes from the imaginations of the students which is presented to family, friends and community members.
The Winter 2021 Session will remain ONLINE with shortened class times but will nevertheless culminate in an end-of-the-year Final Virtual Cabaret Performance.
Our hope is to return to IN-PERSON as soon as it is safe to do so.
Join in on the FUN!!
Register by January 18th 2021 and receive our Early Bird Discount!
Ages 6 & 7
Saturdays 10:30am – 11:30am ONLINE
Cost $225/session (Early Bird $202.50)
Classes run from February 6th to May 8th 2021
With a focus on encouraging creativity, working as an ensemble, exploring characters and playing with storytelling, students will learn how to share ideas and invent scenes through play and teamwork.
Maximum 12 students per class.
Ages 8 & 9
Saturdays 12:15pm – 1:15pm
OR Sundays 12pm – 1:00pm
ONLINE
Cost $225/session (Early Bird $202.50)
Classes run from February 6th/7th to May 8th/9th 2021
Students will channel their imagination, work as an ensemble, and dive into character and story creation while sharing their ideas and inventing scenes together through play and guided improvisation.
Maximum 12 students per class.
Ages 10 to 12
Saturdays 2pm – 3:00pm
OR Sundays 1:45pm – 2:45pm
ONLINE
Cost $225/session (Early Bird $202.50)
Classes run from February 6th/7th to May 8th/9th 2021
While working on building and engaging the imagination, students will explore the importance of ensemble, the development of more complex characters, story-building, and a deeper understanding of working with their impulses.
Maximum 12 students per class.
GTS TEENS
Teens
Thursdays 6pm – 7:30pm ONLINE
Cost $275/session (Early Bird $247.50)
Classes run from February 11th to May 6th 2021
While encouraging creativity and developing their acting abilities through a variety of theatre exercises, teens will explore character development, body/voice awareness, ensemble, and improvisation.
Each session involves the creation of a final group performance which will be presented to family, friends, and community supporters. The Fall Session culminates in an in-class presentation while the Winter Session ends with an end-of-year Cabaret Performance which will be virtual this year.
Maximum 12 teens per class.
Teen Ensemble NEW!
Sundays 3:30pm – 5:30pm with Dakota
Cost $825/year
Early Bird 10% off
The Teen Ensemble is a unique opportunity for teens who are interested in potentially pursuing acting and who want to grow as performers. The full-year program will bridge the gap between skill building and professional development providing teens with a more hands-on experience in performing for the theatre.
The program will include movement & vocal techniques, script & character analysis, audition techniques, regular guest artist teachers/speakers, and an outing to Montreal theatre.
The program will culminate in a final performance in front of family, friends, invited community members and agents.
A maximum of 8 teens will be accepted into the Teen Ensemble. Acceptance is limited to those teens who have done a teen class before, who have proven their commitment, and is subject to approval by the teacher and the GTS Director.
Please email the GTS Director, Jessica Abdallah, to express interest in the program.
What could be better than exploring all the fun theatre has to offer? Doing so in the comfort of your own school! With GTS After School students explore how to create fascinating characters, build exciting stories, and then present them to an encouraging audience of family, friends and community supporters.
GTS regularly offers after school classes during the Fall and Winter sessions at F.A.C.E. School in Downtown Montreal and Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School in Rosemount-Petite-Patrie . These classes are reserved for current F.A.C.E. or P.E.T.S. students. These classes are currently on hold until a time when schools can accommodate after school programming again.
Is your child’s school not on our current list? Let us know and we’ll reach out to see about starting your very own GTS After School program!
GTS à la Carte recognizes that sometimes we need a little variety in our lives by offering several one-off GTS experiences for you and your child to pick and choose from! Here’s what’s on the menu…
GTS Drop-In gives kids the chance to enjoy some theatre fun without having to commit to a 12-week session or the pressure of a public performance! Register within 24hrs of the next class and join one of our GTS teachers for 60 minutes of theatre games for only $15!! Classes will begin in February and will be offered for ages 6 to 9 on Sundays at 10:00am and for ages 10 to 12 on Tuesdays at 4:30pm. All classes will be online until we can meet in-person again!
Why should kids have all the fun? Join us for GTS Family Fun where families can sign up together and learn theatre games that are full of play for the whole family! Once a month, GTS will be offering a special 60-minute workshop to bring families together – register today and see what all the fun is about! From February to May 2021, GTS Family Fun will be offered on the last Saturday of each month at 1pm! All classes will be online until we can meet in-person again!
GTS Homeschool brings engaging theatre education to your child while connecting them with other homeschooled children. Join one of our amazing teachers online for 60 minutes of interactive theatre games!
Have you ever wanted to bring a puppet to life? Act for the camera? Execute an epic stage battle? Sing and dance to your favourite musical? Perform a Shakespearean monologue? Audition with confidence? Then join us for one of our GTS Specialty Workshops!
All our workshops are able to move online depending on the current COVID-19 restrictions.
Are you a school, community centre or day camp? GTS offers group specialty workshops to fit your needs, space and budget.
Can your child just not get enough GTS theatre training? Is your child eager to try theatre but can’t commit to a 12-week session? Are they excited to try something new and completely different? If yes, then one of our GTS Specialty Workshops might be just the right thing for them!
GTS Online
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Geordie Theatre School created GTS Online which offered a wide range of online workshops as our way to make things just a bit easier, creative and playful for kids and their families. As we move into our 2020-21 season, GTS will continue to offer GTS Online options when we are not able to physically come together as a way to remain connected to our GTS family.
On-Camera Workshop
April 17th & 18th 2021 NEW DATE!
$175/2-day in-person intensive plus footage
This 6-hour intensive workshop will introduce participants to the differences between theatre and on-camera performing, what to expect from a film set, and will jump into on-camera acting with short and long scenes. At the end of the second day everyone will sit and watch the footage on TV!
Sessions available for Ages 9 to 12 and Teens.
48hr Theatre Creation
POSTPONED until Spring or Summer 2021
$250/2-day Intensive
Inspired by the highly popular 48 Hour Film Project, GTS students will come together for one crazy weekend to create and stage their own play in less than 48 hours! Students will handle all areas of putting on a play from writing to directing to designing and acting – and then will share their final creations to an invited audience on the last day of the workshop. There will even be awards given out at the end!
This workshop is meant for Teens with at least one session of GTS under their belts.
Audition Technique Workshop
Spring Date TBC, 2021
$75/2-day in-person workshop
What exactly happens in an audition? What can an actor do to give themself a better chance? This introductory workshop will take participants through everything they need to know about how to audition – from the moment they walk in to their last impression. Students will then get to try it out for themselves in their very own mock-audition in front of Montreal directors.
Sessions available for Ages 9 to 12 and Teens.
Musical Theatre Workshop ONLINE
with Trevor and Jenny
November 7th & 14th 2020
$75/2-day workshop
Join Trevor and Jenny for an innovative ONLINE introduction to Musical Theatre. This 2-day workshop will introduce students to the triple joys of Musical Theatre – singing, dancing & acting! Students will receive one-on-one singing lessons, learn choreography, work on a scene from a popular musical, and even play some musical theatre games! Sessions available for Ages 6 to 12 and Teens.
Puppet Workshop
with Daniel
December 5th & 6th, 2020
$75/2-Day Workshop
A head. Two arms. A nose. A finger nail. IT’S ALL ALIVE!!!! In this workshop, we’re going to be using readily available and recycled materials to build a small human styled puppet. And then, we’re going to bring it to life!
Join Daniel for two days of puppet fun and walk away with your very own puppet! Sessions available for Ages 6 to 9 and 10 to 12.
At GTS, our classes are taught by some of Geordie’s favorite Montreal theatre professionals because we believe that kids deserve to learn from the best! Here are some of the talented people who are teaching for GTS this year.
Trevor Barrette is a Montreal based actor, director, playwright/composer and teacher. Upon graduating from JAC’s Professional Theatre program, he founded the award winning Kaleidoscope Theatre Montreal, for which he directed their 11 productions, including 4 original musicals. As an actor, he has performed on stage with the National Arts Centre, Centaur Theatre, Geordie Theatre, Repercussion Theatre, MainLine Theatre and Persephone Productions and in readings and workshops at the National Theatre School, Infinitheatre and Playwrights Workshop Montreal. He is a proud member of the Montreal English Theatre Awards Committee, the Montreal Clown Festival’s Board of Directors and the Quebec Drama Federation’s Board of Directors. Trevor currently teaches at the Segal Centre, Geordie Theatre School and Montreal Children’s Theatre. You can see him on stage this spring in Scapegoat Carnivale’s Yev.
Samantha Bitonti (she/her) is a Tiohtià:ke/Montréal-based actor and creator. Since earning her BFA in Theatre Performance from Concordia University, she has actively pursued various areas of performance including: clown, voice, film, and stage combat (AAC with FDC). She is thrilled to be an Artistic Associate at Repercussion Theatre for the fall of 2020. Samantha is a proud alumna of Imago Theatre’s ARTISTA program; as well as current teacher at Geordie Theatre School, cultivating creativity for young people. Select credits include: Measure for Measure* (Repercussion), Reaching for Starlight* (Geordie), The Trophy Hunt (Rabbit in a Hat), Enough Already (Alien Gaze); Maggie & Bianca Fashion Friends (voice); The Lower Plateau (Dépanneur Films). *Nominated for Outstanding Emerging Artist, Performance – METAs 2019. Samantha is a critical thinker, a lover of art, an advocate for community, and a keen observer of the power of storytelling.
Olivia Hawkes is a theatre teacher whose background includes teaching in Montreal and abroad in Rome, Italy. In Rome, Olivia led children’s theatre workshops and a theatre summer camp. Her theatre degree from Concordia University (2019) specializes in Shakespearean studies, where she also dabbled in playwriting and theatre performance. Olivia has acted as Christine, in The Phantom of the Opera and Sandra in A Beautiful Thing, by British playright Jonathan Harvey. In 2013 she performed as part of the Cambridge University corpus christi ensemble and that year she took a workshop series at the Royal Welsh Academy of Music and Drama. In Olivia’s approach to teaching theatre her emphasis is on inspiring her students to act as autonomous creative beings enabling them to experience the magic of creating stories. Olivia is also a soprano and a member of two Montreal based choirs, including the OPCM.
Daniel is a Montréal (unceded Kanien’kehá:ka land) based theatre creator, animator, teacher, learner and aspiring everything. In Sydney, Australia (Gadigal Land) where he grew up, he studied theatre creation and acting and was most interested by devised works and physical theatre. In Australia, his work appeared in the Sydney Fringe Festival, the Sydney Chinese New Year Festival, the AIMDA Emerge Short Works Festival and he toured Australia with New Zealand playhouse – a young persons theatre company who visited more than 350 schools over a 12 month period across Australia and New Zealand. Since arriving on Turtle Island (North America), he has collaborated with or learned from artists at The Minneapolis Children’s Theatre, The Interact Centre for Visual and Performing Arts (Minneapolis), The Vancouver International Children’s Festival, Geordie Theatre Productions (Montréal) and The Segal Centre, among others. Daniel is searching for joy, for meaningful community, for vulnerable story telling – so if you have any, feel free to share!
Puppet Workshop – Dec. 2020
Patrick Park is a Montréal based artist and graduate of Concordia University’s Theatre Performance program. Featured performer credits include: Mythic, Prom Queen, Fancy Nancy: The Musical (Segal Centre), Hairspray (CSLDS/Centaur), Punk Rock (BCT/Centaur), and Attempts in Flight (Dai Bao/MTLFringe). He is also a member of the dance group, East2West, performing on stages across Canada and the US as well as on YouTube for an audience of over one million subscribers. Outside of performing, Patrick has worked as a teacher/choreographer with notable drama education programs such as Geordie Theatre School, Segal Academy, and Montréal Children’s Theatre.
Teens – Thursdays 6:00-7:30pm
Originally from New York City, Jenny is a multifaceted performer and theatre educator. She has a B.F.A. in Music Theater from The Hartt School (University of Hartford), studied Classical Voice and Musical Theatre Development at the Manhattan School of Music, and has been teaching for over 10 years. When not teaching she works as a theatre performer, music director, choreographer, and gigging vocalist and harpist in Montreal and along the U.S. East Coast. Jenny is the music director of The Montreal Children’s Theatre, music director for the Segal Academy, instructor at CAMMAC’s Musical Theatre week and for Royal West Academy’s Theatre programs, associate music director (under Nick Burgess) for Akiva School’s Productions, and has a highly sought out private vocal and music studio. You might have seen her perform in “Fancy Nancy the Musical” (Rhonda) at the Segal Center, or in other staged theatre, cabaret, or jazz productions around Montreal the past few years! Jenny can’t wait to work with the Geordie Theatre Team to create some musical magic!
Musical Theatre Workshop – Nov. 2020
Cheyenne Schaub is a multidisciplinary artist based in Tiohtia:ke/Montreal, and a current student at Concordia University in Performance Creation with a minor in Psychology. As an avid storyteller herself through writing, acting, music, and play, Cheyenne is very excited to be teaching once again with Geordie, in hopes to hear and watch others – her students – tell their own stories in their own unique and beautiful ways!
Julian Stamboulieh began his media career as an actor and a freelance video editor in 2004 in Montreal. After receiving his BFA in Photography, and starting his company Beanduck Productions alongside producing partner Benjamin Warner, he soon found himself in his directorial debut. In 2013, Julian created and directed LARPs, a scripted comedy web series that received worldwide critical acclaim. With a licensing deal from Legendary Digital Network’s Geek & Sundry in Los Angeles, a second season was financed, with both seasons acquiring 10+ international awards and 4+ million views. Over the past several years, Julian has developed and taught several courses, including the 9-day “Producing an Indie Project: Start to Finish” workshop, presented through L’Institut National de l’Image et du Son (L’inis). He is currently sitting his second term on ACTRA Montreal Branch Council.
On-Camera Workshop
Jen Viens is a director, actor, teacher and producer originally hailing from BC. While there, she studied theatre at UBC, and trained with Matthew Harrison at the Actor’s Foundry in Vancouver. Jen relocated to Montreal five years ago and has been an active member in the arts community since. She has been teaching theatre to children of all ages for over twelve years and is thrilled to be part of the Geordie team!
Directing credits include: SEVEN – a Documentary Play, Unicorn Included (web series), Party Princess (web series), Subtraction (Uncanny Theatre Co.)
Performance credits include: What Happened After Nora Left Her Husband (Imago Theatre) Helix, Stunt Double on Twilight, Gwendolyn in The Importance of Being Earnest, The Passage (Winner of Best Solo Production at the Montreal Fringe), and ‘Jen’ in the acclaimed web series Battle Jar; Resolving Arguments Since the Dawn of Time.
Ages 10-12 – Saturdays 2:00-3:00pm
On-Camera Workshop
Dakota Jamal Wellman is a performer and creator currently based in Montreal. Originally from Port Hope, ON, Dakota completed his post-secondary studies in theatre at Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Upon graduation, Dakota relocated to Montreal to participate in the Artist Mentorship Program at Black Theatre Workshop, and has been fortunate to call Montreal home ever since. Dakota is happy to be working with GTS for a third year and to be surrounded by all the great people that make Geordie a family. Winner of the 2017 META for Outstanding Emerging Artist – Performance, notable credits include: Eva In Rio (Playground Productions), Reaching For Starlight (Geordie Theatre), Blackout (Tableau D’Hote Theatre), Don’t Read The Comments (Sermo Scomber Theatre), The Revolutions (SpiderWebShow), Much Ado About Nothing (Repercussion Theatre). Film/TV: Futureman, Matthias & Maxime, The Walk-In Closet, The Bold Type, The Death And Life of John F. Donovan.
Teen Ensemble – Sundays 3:30-5:30 pm
The GTS Bursary Fund offers full and partial scholarships to benefit youth from families in lower economic backgrounds, allowing access to engage in the performing arts with passionate and caring professional educators and artists.
Since 2017, over 50 young people have benefitted from this program that encourages potential through a dynamic exploration of theatre.
Applications are accepted throughout the year with decisions being made 2 weeks prior to the start of each session.
How to Apply
The GTS Bursary is easy to apply for! Simply fill in our GTS Bursary Application Form and return to GTS Director, Jessica Abdallah.
Why Donate
Each donation to the GTS Bursary Fund helps us to continue inspiring the next generation of theatre makers. A full scholarship covers the registration fee, GTS t-shirt, and tickets to all Geordie Theatre programming. A charitable tax receipt will be issued for all donations over $25.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Geordie Theatre School created GTS Online which offers a wide range of online activities and has been our way to make things just a bit easier, creative and playful for kids and their families. As we look towards our Fall 2020 session, we are working on online options for all of our classes and workshops so that, in the event we still cannot physically come together, we remain connected to our GTS family.
All Public Classes take place at the Greene Centre (1090 Greene Ave). The Greene Centre is easily accessible by public transit and is a short walking distance from both the Atwater and Lionel-Groulx metros. If coming by car there is a designated drop off zone, as well as several options for free street parking. The Greene Centre has a seating area on the main floor where you can wait while your child is in class – or you can walk up Greene to any number of nearby cafes or restaurants.
Parents/caregivers are not allowed to attend the classes as we believe in the importance of encouraging children to participate in class independently from parents/caregivers so that they can have the time and space to develop their own relationships with their peers. We believe this allows them to gain more confidence and further develop their ability to create and express amongst an ensemble.
At the time of registration, you will be asked to pay either the full amount or a $100 deposit. If you choose to pay the deposit then the balance will be due during the first week of classes. Alternative payment plans are available and can be discussed with the GTS Director, Jessica Abdallah.
Yes, GTS is proud to offer full or partial bursaries to all our classes and workshops through the GTS Bursary Fund. For more information and to apply, please visit our GTS Bursary Fund section.
Unfortunately, we do not offer trial classes as we believe it is important for our teachers to know the number of students registered prior to the start of class. However, we do have a very reasonable cancellation policy in the rare instance that a child wants to quit the session after the first class.
We understand that sometimes children change their minds and so we offer the following Cancellation Policy:
FOR GTS WORKSHOPS: Cancellation in writing at least 2 weeks prior to the workshop – Refund minus $15 processing fee.
FOR GTS WORKSHOPS: Cancellation less the 2 weeks prior to the workshop – No Refund.
GTS is not a talent agency and does not seek out auditions for our students. However, whenever we receive audition calls from members of the Montreal theatre, film or voice communities, we are more than happy to pass them on to our students.
Our teachers are all professional artists, creators and theatre innovators from the vibrant Montreal theatre scene who have a passion for teaching the next generation. They all have extensive experience teaching children and youth and, whenever possible, will be accompanied by an intern. To learn more about our individual teachers you can visit our Meet Our Teachers section.
You can support Geordie Theatre School in a number of ways.
At the moment, GTS does not offer a regular summer camp. However, we do offer a variety of Specialty Workshops throughout the summer.
Yes! At the end of our Winter Session students will have the opportunity to perform in our Final Cabaret at Moyse Hall to an audience of family, friends and community supporters. The Fall Session ends with a smaller in-class presentation.
Yes, we accept new students into each class up until the third week of each Fall and Winter Session (pending availability).
We do not allow students to register in classes outside their grade. We believe students benefit from working with their immediate peers. This enables students to connect through common concerns and issues, which is especially important in the collective creation process, whereby they collaborate on stories they will tell through theatre.
At Geordie Theatre we believe in creating an environment where everyone of diverse abilities to feel welcome and comfortable. Please learn more about Geordie Theatre’s commitment to Accessibility. Our school encourages integrated classes where kids from a variety of needs are able to engage in theatre together. If your child would benefit from a particular support in an educational setting, we encourage you to reach out to the GTS Director, Jessica Abdallah, to discuss how best we can create a happy and successful experience for them.
For more information,
contact our GTS Director
Jessica Abdallah at jessica@geordie.ca
Geordie Theatre is located on the unceded Indigenous lands of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Tiotià:ke (known as Montréal) has existed as a meeting place of many First Nation peoples, including but not limited to the Abenaki , Anishinaabeg (Algonquin), and the Huron-Wendat. We extend our deepest respect to the elders of these communities and to all Indigenous peoples who carry the history of this island’s land and waters – caring for it and calling it home. We are honoured and privileged to share stories on this land.
We wish to also acknowledge that we are grateful to those seeking sustainable solutions to our global climate crisis, so that we may continue to inspire and challenge our audiences near and far.