Classes

Coaching

Navigating the arduous task of auditioning can be harrowing. An unprepared audition can freeze an actor’s progress in the business of acting. Auditions should be fun and focused. Good auditions are building blocks towards a fully realized career in acting.

If you are a current student of Kate's, the fee is $65 per hour, $40 per 1/2 hour.

If you are not a current student of Kate's, the fee is $75 per hour, $45 per 1/2 hour.

You can book a private coaching with Kate by contacting us here, or by calling Cucumber Satellite at: 604-602-1312.

Note: to maximize the benefit of any private coaching session, please email sides and breakdown to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it in advance of the coaching session.

Voice and Alexander Technique Private Coaching: The Alexander Technique is a very powerful tool for actors. It is designed to bring forth the grace and balance innate in every human body. It brings a greater kinaesthetic awareness which allows the actor the possibility of expressing another character.

Vocal freedom is discovered when the body is free from unconscious habits that get in the way. $60 an hour for voice lessons. $50 per 45 minute Alexander Technique lesson ($450 for 10 lessons)

For more information contact Carole Davis: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (www.youaretheinstrument.com)

Alexander Technique

The scenario: You finish doing your scene and it feels like it went pretty good. The instructor/director says to you “Good, now let’s remove the (insert shoulder hunching, ankle rolling, hip protruding, finger twitching, foot shuffling caving in the body etc) thing that you did."

Your response? “I had NO idea I was doing that."

If the director does not know why you are doing it and you don’t know that you are doing it, then there is awareness of the body that needs to be addressed. The Alexander Technique helps students discover patterns of chronic tension that have unconsciously become a fixed part of how we move, breathe, and act.

Habitual psychophysical patterns can limit your functioning and your self-awareness on stage. In the Technique’s simple, systematic process, students relearn movement and undo the patterns, which interfere with natural coordination.

Instructor: Carole Davis
When: Sunday September 12th (ongoing)
Time: 10am to 12pm Cost: $160 (per 4 classes)
Because this technique involves intricate hands on instruction, Ms. Davis can teach a maximum of 6 students per session.

Students do not need to fill in an online application, simply request information on Alexander Technique at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Carole Davis is also available for private coaching. Please refer to coaching.

Camera Play 2010

Is all of your hard work resonating through the camera?

Cucumber Satellite Artistic Director Kate Twa and Technical Director Ronan Reinart will instruct and on-camera mini-intensive over the Labor Day Long Weekend. Students will be given short film scenes to work on.

The scenes will be put on camera on a large screen at the Mutant Films Studio and Kate will work with the actors to help determine what nuances can be enhanced and which “tells” can be eliminated.

During this process actors will learn how to look at themselves objectively on film and assess what skills they need in their continued training. This class will be particularly beneficial to actors who wish to study with Kate Twa for the fall Scene Study sessions.

For inspiration, on Saturday we will begin early and view some classic and contemporary film performances that have made an impact in the industry. We will discuss and explore why and how these actors were able to capture our attention.

A fun, creative and professional workshop designed to really look at the magic that can happen through the lens. Students will be given a dvd of their work.

Instructors: Kate Twa and Ronan Reinart
Teaching Assistant: Anthony Shim
When: Saturday September 4th, Sunday September 5th, and Monday September 6th
Time: 12:30pm to 5pm Saturday, 1pm to 5pm Sunday and Monday
Cost: $250*

Interested applicants who have not studied with us before must fill out our online application. You will be contacted to arrange and interview.

*plus a $25 Cucumber Satellite Membership Fee (applicable for one year).

Pro Teens Scene Study

This is a demanding and invigorating class for young professional actors aged 11 to 15. Though it is NOT a prerequisite for actors to have representation or on set experience (there is TIME for that!), it is required that students are respectful of their craft, generous and supportive, inventive, creative and committed to class, rehearsals and research.

It is imperative that all members of the ProTeen ensemble can handle challenging material while conducting themselves with absolute professionalism. This class will focus on various methods of approaching a scene, developing characters and creating relationships within scripted and improvised text.

Various classic and contemporary techniques, exercises and improvisations will be used to help guide actors through the term, which will culminate in a live presentation November 6th at 1pm for invited guests and members of the industry.

Students will also have opportunities to work with a camera and will leave with a short, strong professionally shot dvd.

Instructor: Kate Twa, Ronan Reinart (camera)
When: Saturdays September 11th to November 6th
Time: 10am to 1pm
Cost: $650*

Interested applicants who have not studied with us before must fill out our online application. You will be contacted to arrange and interview.

*plus a $25 Cucumber Satellite Membership Fee (applicable for one year).

Scene Study - Fall 2010

This is a rigorous and transformative class that combines original exercises with classical training. It challenges actors to explore playful, bold and daring choices while breaking their own barriers of personal resistance and connecting to their emotional life.

Focusing on the individual, yet supported by a formidable ensemble, this class is for the actor that wants to go the extra mile. Outside of class, students are expected to research the plays and rehearse with scene partners, and participate in assigned exercises.

In this ensemble setting it is vital to be creatively generous and intensely focused on oneself and fellow artists.

At the end of the term, students will rehearse their scenes privately with Kate and there will be three evenings of presentations on November 19th, 20th and 21st at Mutant Films Studio.

*This class can explore very mature content. Actors are required to conduct themselves with absolute professionalism and commitment.

Instructor: Kate Twa
When: Saturday September 11th OR Sunday September 12th to November 21st (private rehearsals for presentations will be scheduled individually)
Time: 1pm to 6pm
Cost: $300 per month*

*plus a $25 Cucumber Satellite Membership Fee (paid once per year).

Interested applicants who have not studied with us before must fill out our online application. You will be contacted to arrange and interview.