CBC Actors Conservatory
2019 CBC Actors Conservatory Showcase
Overview
PROGRAM DESIGN
APPLY
RBC Competitive Advantage Series
2020/2021 PROGRAM DATES
PROGRAM START: |
Spring 2021 |
PROGRAM END: |
TBD |
*2021/2022 program application dates are to be determined. To receive email notifications regarding key program dates, please SIGN-UP HERE.*
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The CBC Actors Conservatory is the only full-time immersive onscreen acting program of its kind in North America. It invites eight actors from across Canada to engage in a six-month transformative artistic and professional experience to expand their skillsets, increase their onscreen confidence and empower them to navigate career and marketplace opportunities.
The Conservatory affords actors the opportunity to:
- Strengthen their instrument; hone their range, power and depth by working with some of the world’s leading practitioners
- Expand their professional reel and showcase their onscreen talent
- Engage in a collaborative script-to-screen process
- Own the audition process
- Increase their understanding of the professional screen industry
- Extend their creative community and accelerate their career opportunities through access to international mentors, leading industry professionals and a wide range of creators
Ultimately, the CBC Actors Conservatory exposes actors to many perspectives and constant practice. The more actors experience working within different frameworks, with different creative collaborators and with different narrative material, the better prepared they are to navigate, adapt and engage with the professional onscreen industry.
The Conservatory has launched close to 90 actors and is recognized industry-wide as a vital hub for exciting, professional onscreen talent.
ELIGIBILITY
Designed for actors who:
- Are deeply committed to the craft
- Are ready to explore their practice
- Are prepared to engage in a professional collaborative process
- Are committed to expanding their range as an onscreen performer
- Have some previous training as an actor and a growing body of work as a performer
Applicants must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada.
TUITION & FEES
Tuition for the 2020 CBC Actors Conservatory is $8000.00. Each actor accepted into the Conservatory will receive a bursary of $14,500.00 to offset the tuition in its entirety and provide them with a modest monthly stipend. This financial support is made possible in part through the generosity of many individuals and companies who have contributed to the CFC’s Endowed Scholarship and Bursary Funds.
Please note that there is a $25.00 application fee via PayPal for all CBC Actors Conservatory applications.
ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
The CFC is committed to providing accessible practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation at any stage of the application process or have any questions regarding appropriate accommodations please contact Deborah Fallows, CHRO, at: dfallows@cfccreates.com.
CONTACT
For questions and clarifications, please contact programs@cfccreates.com.
2019 CBC ACTORS CONSERVATORY SUPPORTERS
PROGRAM PARTNERS

PROGRAM PATRONS


PROGRAM SPONSORS


PROGRAM MEMBERS

THE COMWEB/WHITES JAY SWITZER INDIGENOUS CREATOR AWARD
PROGRAM FRIENDS
ORIGINAL MUSIC CREATED THROUGH THE SLAIGHT MUSIC RESIDENCY

CFC SPECIAL THANK YOU
NELLIE LINDNER, THE CITY OF TORONTO
THE AL AND MALKA GREEN ARTISTS' HEALTH CENTRE
OUR APPRECIATION GOES TO:






The CFC would like to acknowledge the co-operation of the Toronto Performers Branch of the ACTRA Performers Guild.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2019 PROGRAM MENTORS
Lindy Davies | Actor Mentor
Rae Ellen Bodie | Actor Mentor
Kelly McEvenue | Actor Mentor
Stephanie Jones | Actor Mentor
Susan Coyne | Actor Mentor
Kate Ashby | Actor Mentor
Rosemary Dunsmore | Actor Mentor
Jason Knight | Casting Director Mentor
Ingrid Veninger | Mentor
Tom Third | Music Mentor
David Ostry | Filmmaker Mentor
THANK YOU TO OUR 2019 PROGRAM GUESTS
Alyson Richards
Anita Shack
Anne Carey
Araya Mengesha
Barbara Larose
Chase McMurren
Chris Enns
Cory Bowles
Deirdre Bowen
Diana Cafazzo
Fred Brennan
Fred Levy
Gail Haupert
Getenesh Berhe
Harold Gronenthal
Ian Macmillan
Jennifer Goldhar
Jenny Lewis
Jesse Griffiths
Jim Allodi
Joel Hay
John Paizs
Jordan Canning
Judy Lung
Karen Lee
Kish Iqbal
Larissa Giroux
Leisa Bellmore
Lindsay Somers
Lucy Mukerjee
Mark Binks
Matt Eldridge
Maureen Dorey
Pat Mills
Paul Reynard
Rania El Mugammar
Richard Crouse
Sara Kay
Sherren Lee
Stephanie Gorin
Tim Cody
Trish Williams
Taisa Dekker
This full-time six-month program is designed to increase an actor’s confidence working in film and television, while expanding their onscreen portfolio and establishing strong creative and industry partnerships.
Actors are supported by industry professionals who share knowledge and counsel on best practices and the realities of working in the screen industry. The Conservatory offers actors continued opportunities to put their learning into practice with guidance and feedback at key stages. Actors refine their creative process and expand their skillsets through the following:
STRENGTHENING THEIR INSTRUMENT
Actors participate in workshops, exercises and master classes that explore a variety of approaches and techniques. They are challenged artistically within a productive forum, while expanding their acting toolkit.
EXPANDING ONSCREEN WORK
The Conservatory offers a wide variety of on-camera workshops, productions and exercises. These opportunities are designed to strengthen an actor’s onscreen acting skills as they work towards building a solid body of produced work. Actors will gain a better understanding of how camera impacts performance, how to work with a director to maximize the cinematic potential of a scene, and how best to interact and engage with industry expectations and onset protocols.
STRENGTHENING CREATIVE STORYTELLING AND COLLABORATIVE SKILLS
As part of the larger creative ecosystem at the CFC, actors in the Conservatory work closely with creators and talent across a range of programs and disciplines. Through this collaborative process, actors build a deeper understanding of what different disciplines bring to the onscreen storytelling process, how to effectively engage in the script-to-screen process and expand their creative and professional network.
OWNING THE AUDITION PROCESS
Actors will work with a wide variety of material, characters and genres to explore within multiple audition settings. They benefit from specific coaching and feedback on their audition work from a diverse range of casting and industry professionals, leaving the Conservatory with confidence in their ability to properly prepare for an audition and fully deliver on their intentions in the room.
ACCELERATING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER STRATEGIES
Actors meet with a number of industry professionals to gain a better understanding of the wider screen-based business. Guests and mentors share knowledge, coaching and insights into different aspects of the business, providing tools and strategies for actors to manage their careers.
Actors come to understand their rights as a performer, their role within the film and TV business, and best practices both on and off the screen. They leave the Conservatory with a renewed perspective on building their career, more empowered to manage life as a professional artist.
RBC COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
The RBC Competitive Advantage series is a new component of the CBC Actors Conservatory, made possible thanks to support from the RBC Foundation. This offering was created to build on the Conservatory’s impact, offering CFC Actors Conservatory residents and alumni access to continued high-level training and opportunities to expand their skill set and strengthen their abilities to remain healthy, relevant and self-sufficient.
ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
The CFC is committed to providing accessible practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation at any stage of the application process or have any questions regarding appropriate accommodations please contact Deborah Fallows, CHRO, at: dfallows@cfccreates.com.
CONTACT
For questions and clarifications, please contact programs@cfccreates.com.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
As part of the online application form, you will be asked to upload PDF files of each document listed below. Be sure to include your full name on each document.
1. Letter of Intent (ONE PAGE)
This is our introduction to you. Please outline what you hope to achieve by attending the Actors Conservatory. How might this program specifically help you advance your craft? What skills would you like to further develop as an actor and how do you plan to do that within the Conservatory?
2. Acting Resume
A current and brief account of your acting experience, including education, training and theatre/onscreen credits.
3. Headshot
A current photo or headshot in .jpeg or .pdf format.
4. Letters of Intent (MAX 2)
Letters from individuals familiar with your acting abilities. The letters should emphasize your proven commitment to your craft and be addressed to the ‘Actors Conservatory Selection Committee.’ These can be uploaded with the application, or emailed directly by the referee to programs@cfccreates.com.
5. Self-Tape
Demonstrating your range and talent, your self-tape should be a three- to four-page scene from film or television in the style of an audition self-tape.
SELECTION PROCESS
APPLICATION
Please review all application requirements in advance of submitting.
All applicants will be notified via email of their application status.
Due to the high volume of applicants, feedback will only be offered to shortlisted applicants.
INTERVIEW & AUDITION
A selection committee comprised of industry professionals from across Canada and key program staff are involved in the review process.
Shortlisted applicants will be notified by phone of audition and interview dates and times.
An audition and interview mark the final stage of the selection process. Interviews with shortlisted candidates are intended to clarify each applicant’s expectations and assist the committee in determining which candidates will best contribute to and benefit from the Conservatory’s immersive design.
If you are shortlisted, auditions take place towards the end of April and you will be notified of acceptance soon thereafter.
ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
The CFC is committed to providing accessible practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation at any stage of the application process or have any questions regarding appropriate accommodations please contact Deborah Fallows, CHRO, at: dfallows@cfccreates.com.
CONTACT
For questions and clarifications, please contact programs@cfccreates.com.
The RBC Competitive Advantage series is a new component of the CBC Actors Conservatory, made possible thanks to support from the RBC Foundation.
This component was created to help grow the actor’s international opportunities, well being and career longevity. It will offer CFC actor alumni access to continued high level training, select workshops to expand their skills set and strengthen their abilities to remain healthy, relevant and self sufficient.
2019 OFFERINGS:
1. LINDY DAVIES' TORONTO INTENSIVES
Lindy Davies & CFC are delighted to announce Lindy's 2019 Toronto Intensives/Master Classes will be presented in collaboration with the CFC’s RBC Competitive Advantage series.
2. ADVANCED MEISNER INTENSIVE
Lead by Stephanie Jones, the CFC is delighted to host an advanced 3 day Meisner preparation workshop this fall. Participation for actor alum was made possible through the CFC’s RBC Competitive Advantage Series.
3. ARTISTS & WELL-BEING CLINIC
Presented by the CFC’s RBC Competitive Advantage Series in partnership with The Al and Malka Green Artists’ Health Centre, this 2 day clinic explores stress management and mental wellness, offering best practices and strategies for living a healthy artist life. Topics include: Master the Art of Managing Stress: Finding Balance with the Four Elements, The Power of Words: Intention & Attention, Mental Health Self-Care and Living Well with Stress.
4. CREATIVE MONEY: TECHNIQUES TO FEEL AT HOME IN YOUR FINANCES
Presented by the CFC’s RBC Competitive Advantage Series in partnership with Rags to Reasonable’s Chris Enns, this session offers techniques and insight into financial management for working actors. Topics include: Defining Financial Goals, Clarifying the Building Blocks of Financial Stability, Variable Income, Fundamentals of Tax, Money Management Tools, and Saving and Debt Management.
SUPPORTED BY:
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