Our Number Four Choice
Studio 58
About Studio 58
Located at Langara College in British Columbia, Studio 58 boasts a three-year program for actors and a fully functional theatre. Students will receive a thorough experience with action- packed instructional days (8:30AM-9PM) that involve class, rehearsal, and, when the time comes, performances for the public.
The program’s terms begin with a focus on crew work, which includes tasks such as constructing sets, painting, and lighting. These skills are also considered extremely desirable in the entertainment field, and students are able to create a greater sense of comfortability with and knowledge of film and theatre sets. This provides students will an extremely well-rounded repertoire of abilities when it’s time for them to begin seeking acting work.
About Studio 58
Located at Langara College in British Columbia, Studio 58 boasts a three-year program for actors and a fully functional theatre. Students will receive a thorough experience with action- packed instructional days (8:30AM-9PM) that involve class, rehearsal, and, when the time comes, performances for the public.
The program’s terms begin with a focus on crew work, which includes tasks such as constructing sets, painting, and lighting. These skills are also considered extremely desirable in the entertainment field, and students are able to create a greater sense of comfortability with and knowledge of film and theatre sets. This provides students will an extremely well-rounded repertoire of abilities when it’s time for them to begin seeking acting work.
Develop Practical Experience
When the crew-based skills have been mastered, students spend the next three terms developing practical acting experience that includes rehearsing and performing in public. They will also have the valuable opportunity to perform for the public in multi-week plays at the school’s theatre.
While enrolled at Studio 58, students will be taught, among many other important entertainment-based skills, how to express themselves effectively via their voices, successfully audition for various entertainment mediums, self-market, and even produce their own scripts and other material.
Who Are the Instructors at VADA?
Courtenay Dobbie
Courtenay has been teaching at Studio 58 since 2017 and has been Artistic Director since 2021. Before that, she was the Artistic Director of Caravan Farm Theatre from 2010-2017. For Caravan she commissioned, created, developed, and directed 15 original, world-premiere Canadian and classic productions. Courtenay has performed, directed, choreographed or created for many theatre companies in Canada such as Green Thumb Theatre, Theatre Melee (of which she is co-founder), Arts Club Theatre Company, Vancouver Playhouse, Belfry Theatre, Axis Theatre, Neworld Theatre, Touchstone Theatre, Carousel Theatre, Great Canadian Theatre Company, Magnetic North Theatre Festival, Electric Company Theatre, Globe Theatre, Vertigo Theatre, Persephone Theatre, Studio 58, and UBC. She is a graduate of the acting programs of Mount Royal College and Studio 58. She holds an M.F.A in Directing from the University of British Columbia.
David Hudgins
David Hudgins is a founder of the internationally acclaimed Electric Company Theatre in Vancouver. After more than two decades with this innovative company he has won numerous Jessie Awards. David received his BA Honours in English Literature at McGill University, a diploma in Acting from Studio 58, and a PDP Diploma in Education from Simon Fraser University. He teaches acting at Studio 58 and has directed nine shows here, including two Ovation-Award winning productions: Guys & Dolls (2007) and Spring Awakening (2012). The homegrown musical The Park (2010) which he directed and helped to dramaturge, garnered it five nominations. His 5-year orchestral / physical-theatre hybrid experiment odyssey called Flee, with composer Peggy Lee, found its legs at the Fox Cabaret with Electric Company and Studio 58 in 2016. He has written song lyrics for a variety of Hollywood movies. David is also a father, musician, and sailor.
Jenny Andersen
Jenny has been teaching private voice lessons for over 20 years, specializing in musical theatre, integrated audition preparation and musicianship skills. Several of her students have appeared in professional musical theatre productions across Canada. Her own career has incorporated several facets of the performing arts: as an Equity actor (Gateway, Axis, PSP), choral musician/conductor (Vancouver Chamber Choir, musica intima, Zing!), music/theatre director (Gutenberg, Titus, [title of show]), producer (Impromptu Cabaret Festival), composer (Titus, Where I’m At), freelance singer, accordionist and pianist. She holds a B. Mus. in Voice Performance/Minor in Drama from the University of Calgary and a Diploma in Music Performance from Mount Royal College. Jenny is passionate about fusing together the elements of interpretation, musicianship, and vocal science/technique into an authentic, integrated performance.
David Bloom
David Bloom is a playwright, director, dramaturg, producer, actor and fight choreographer.
He has run the Solo Show program at Studio 58 since 2001, overseeing the creation of more than 300 one-person shows. He has taught Stage Combat, Improvisation, Shakespeare, Scene Study and New Play Creation for educational programs including Theatre at UBC, Studio 58, The Art Institute, Carousel Theatre, University of Victoria, Magnus Theatre, Caravan Stage Company and the Playhouse Acting School. He spent 3 years co-teaching and co-developing Studies in Interdisciplinary Creation and Performance for the Bachelor of Performing Arts program, a program co-created by Langara College, Capilano University, Douglas College and VCC.
Develop Practical Experience
When the crew-based skills have been mastered, students spend the next three terms developing practical acting experience that includes rehearsing and performing in public. They will also have the valuable opportunity to perform for the public in multi-week plays at the school’s theatre.
While enrolled at Studio 58, students will be taught, among many other important entertainment-based skills, how to express themselves effectively via their voices, successfully audition for various entertainment mediums, self-market, and even produce their own scripts and other material.
Who Are the Instructors at Studio 58?
Courtenay Dobbie
Courtenay has been teaching at Studio 58 since 2017 and has been Artistic Director since 2021. Before that, she was the Artistic Director of Caravan Farm Theatre from 2010-2017. For Caravan she commissioned, created, developed, and directed 15 original, world-premiere Canadian and classic productions. Courtenay has performed, directed, choreographed or created for many theatre companies in Canada such as Green Thumb Theatre, Theatre Melee (of which she is co-founder), Arts Club Theatre Company, Vancouver Playhouse, Belfry Theatre, Axis Theatre, Neworld Theatre, Touchstone Theatre, Carousel Theatre, Great Canadian Theatre Company, Magnetic North Theatre Festival, Electric Company Theatre, Globe Theatre, Vertigo Theatre, Persephone Theatre, Studio 58, and UBC. She is a graduate of the acting programs of Mount Royal College and Studio 58. She holds an M.F.A in Directing from the University of British Columbia.
David Hudgins
David Hudgins is a founder of the internationally acclaimed Electric Company Theatre in Vancouver. After more than two decades with this innovative company he has won numerous Jessie Awards. David received his BA Honours in English Literature at McGill University, a diploma in Acting from Studio 58, and a PDP Diploma in Education from Simon Fraser University. He teaches acting at Studio 58 and has directed nine shows here, including two Ovation-Award winning productions: Guys & Dolls (2007) and Spring Awakening (2012). The homegrown musical The Park (2010) which he directed and helped to dramaturge, garnered it five nominations. His 5-year orchestral / physical-theatre hybrid experiment odyssey called Flee, with composer Peggy Lee, found its legs at the Fox Cabaret with Electric Company and Studio 58 in 2016. He has written song lyrics for a variety of Hollywood movies. David is also a father, musician, and sailor.
Jenny Andersen
Jenny has been teaching private voice lessons for over 20 years, specializing in musical theatre, integrated audition preparation and musicianship skills. Several of her students have appeared in professional musical theatre productions across Canada. Her own career has incorporated several facets of the performing arts: as an Equity actor (Gateway, Axis, PSP), choral musician/conductor (Vancouver Chamber Choir, musica intima, Zing!), music/theatre director (Gutenberg, Titus, [title of show]), producer (Impromptu Cabaret Festival), composer (Titus, Where I’m At), freelance singer, accordionist and pianist. She holds a B. Mus. in Voice Performance/Minor in Drama from the University of Calgary and a Diploma in Music Performance from Mount Royal College. Jenny is passionate about fusing together the elements of interpretation, musicianship, and vocal science/technique into an authentic, integrated performance.
David Bloom
David Bloom is a playwright, director, dramaturg, producer, actor and fight choreographer.
He has run the Solo Show program at Studio 58 since 2001, overseeing the creation of more than 300 one-person shows. He has taught Stage Combat, Improvisation, Shakespeare, Scene Study and New Play Creation for educational programs including Theatre at UBC, Studio 58, The Art Institute, Carousel Theatre, University of Victoria, Magnus Theatre, Caravan Stage Company and the Playhouse Acting School. He spent 3 years co-teaching and co-developing Studies in Interdisciplinary Creation and Performance for the Bachelor of Performing Arts program, a program co-created by Langara College, Capilano University, Douglas College and VCC.