BOS WORKSHOPS
During the pandemic, the BOS put together some exciting workshops for its members and community.
Technical Theatre Workshop
with Mike Johnston
Sunday May 30, 2021 @ 1pm
Mike Johnston
Mike has been working in the Theatre Industry for over 20 years as a Designer, Production Manager and Technical Director. His career began with an interest in lighting, sound technology and scenic construction techniques and evolved to include Production Management and design work. He is a graduate of the Humber College (Technical Production) and the University of New Brunswick (B.A. Arts- History Minor: Drama) programs where he gained the essential skills necessary to move out into the workforce. Since completing his studies, Mike has worked as a Freelance Technician, Designer and Production Manager for numerous companies including Edge and Company (Sunset Boulevard), The Royal Bank Festival of Classics (Twelfth Night, Love’s Labour’s Lost), David Warrack Productions (Rock N’ Roll),The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts (as a Stage Carpenter), The Fredericton Playhouse (Christmas @ the Playhouse 2007-2013, Bricklin: An Automotive Fantasy), Sudbury Theatre Centre (Red, A Christmas Carol), Saint John Theatre Company (Annie, Of Mice and Men, Diary of Anne Frank, East of Berlin, War Bride) and Theatre New Brunswick (Red, A Christmas Carol, The Boat, It’s a Wonderful Life). Before taking on the role of House Technician at The Brockville Arts Centre in 2019, Mike was the Technical Director for the Theatre Program at the University of New Brunswick. In this role, he developed programming and taught production skills and design theory for the theatre and assisted with the creation of a Double Major program in Drama. Also in this period, Mike functioned as a clinician for The New Brunswick Provincial Drama festival, the Imperial Theatre’s Backstage-Onstage workshop series focused on Production skills and provided lighting and projection workshops for Theatre New Brunswick. This workshop will provide a survey of the Equipment and techniques used to stage a production including: - A quick tour of the BAC technical facilities- Lighting, Sound, Fly equipment etc. - Lighting skills and theory including a look at the fundamentals of moving light technology. - Stage carpentry principles and construction practices. Theory and small-scale demonstration. - Safety on the stage, particularly as it applies to Lighting and Carpentry. -A Q&A period- what would you like to know about that was not addressed in the rest of this workshop.
Darrell
Christie
Singing Workshop | Jan 24, 2021
(Queens University)
Hailing from the UK, Darrell Christie is recognized for his versatility and collaborative approach to performance and arts education. Having studied at both Keele University in the UK, and York University in Canada, Darrell specializes in vocal performance (music theatre and classical voice), conducting, and music education.
Darrell has built a successful international career as a performer, musical director and educator working across Canada, in addition to appearances in the UK, France, China, and Australia.
Through his energetic and holistic approach to performance and arts education, Darrell focuses on creating versatile performers and ensembles through a practical application of vocal science. Having studied extensively with vocal clinicians in the Canada and Europe, Darrell uses an understanding of current vocal pedagogy to ensure ensembles and soloists attain their potential.
Darrell’s teaching philosophy focuses on educating and encouraging musicians to make healthy, informed, and sustainable steps in their development. Underscoring the growth of technical ability alongside skills in song interpretation and presentation, Darrell’s approach supports performers in communicating complex stories through song.
Darrell is an instructor at Queen's University where he leads the choral program, in addition to teaching voice, conducting, and music theatre. In addition to his work at Queen's, Darrell runs a busy private voice, piano and theory studio, and offers musical consultation, adjudication, performance and musical theatre direction across Ontario.
Christopher
Shyer
Acting Workshop | February 28, 2021
(Broadway/Film/Television)
Originally from Toronto, Christopher has been a working professional actor for over 30 years now, performing across Canada, in predominantly musical theatre in his earlier years before moving to Vancouver in the late ‘90’s to work in a thriving film&television market there. Being a dual citizen afforded him opportunities in Los Angeles and later in New York, and now he acts, teaches, and producers, sometimes virtually and currently resides in Vancouver, with plans to be in the UK.
Broadway: Mamma Mia (Winter Garden Theatre).
Off- Broadway/Regional: Curvy Widow (Westside Theatre), Going Down Swingin’ (NYMF), Lend Me a Tenor (Hangar Theatre), The Good Life (NoHo Arts Center).
National Tours: The Book of Mormon, Les Miserables. Selected CAN Theatre: Night of the Iguana (Playwright’s Theatre Centre), El Salvador (The Cultch), Phantom of the Opera (the Pantages), Assassins (CAN Stage), Sunset Boulevard (The Ford Centre for the Performing Arts).
Chris has over 70 film/television credits to his name, including Clint Eastwood’s “J.Edgar", "Fierce People" with Diane Lane, “Debris" (NBC), Madam Secretary" (CBS), “Two Sentence Horror Stories” (CW Network), and “Those Damn Canadians” (Award Winning Web Series). Former student and now, part time instructor with the Deena Levy Theatre Studio, he has also studied with acclaimed director/teacher, Larry Moss, and is developing a one person piece with Giles Forman (Founder of Caravanserai Productions), “Letters to a Straight Republican”.