How we teach ACTING:

We opened the doors to the Acting Company in 2013. We are renowned for our ability to create safe and fun spaces for actors to take risks and develop the fundamental and advanced acting techniques that are required for today's industry standards.

We are often asked: "Are your courses for stage or TV/Film?

Our answer? Both! We believe that actors must learn to ACT before they learn to act for TV and Film. Acting for TV and Film is a skill to be learned AFTER you develop an acting technique. That technique is then applied to any and every acting medium: TV/Film; Voiceover; and Theatre.

Our teaching draws upon the classic standards and traditions established by Stanislavsky and the Moscow Art Theatre. We also incorporate practices of such noted teachers as Michael Chekhov, Sanford Meisner, Stella Adler and Uta Hagen, as well as the techniques of current teachers such as Anne Bogart, Ivana Chubbuck and voice teacher Kristin Linklater.

We do not believe that learning to act is akin to therapy.

We believe that the best acting comes from technique, imagination, practice and encouragement.

Our favourite Acting Quotes:

"Acting is the ability to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances." - Sanford Meisner

"You cannot create results. You can only create conditions in which something might happen."

- Anne Bogart

"An ounce of behavior is worth a pound of words." - Sanford Meisner

"I'm curious about other people. That's the essence of my acting. I'm interested in what it would be like to be you." - Meryl Streep

Chris Ralph, Co Founder and Artistic Director

Chris is the co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Acting Company and has taught acting and voice at York University, University of Ottawa, private studios, and currently teaches acting and voice at Algonquin College. Chris is a graduate the National Theatre School of Canada and has an MFA in Acting from York University.

Recent acting credits include The Virgin Trial (GCTC - 2019 Ottawa Rideau Award for Best Actor); Up to Low (NAC); Half Life (Theatre Northwest); A Christmas Carol (NAC); Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike (Plosive Productions); The Amorous Servant (Odyssey); Glengarry Glen Ross (Avalon Productions – Capital Critics Award for Best Production); Billy Bishop Goes to War (Plosive Productions – Capital Critics Best Actor nomination); The Game of Love and Death (Odyssey); and Death and the Maiden (Plosive Productions).

How we teach ACTING:

Recommended Reading for Actors

Chris Ralph, Co Founder and Artistic Director