About The Drama Class

The Beginning

Founded in January 2012, The Drama Class was established by film industry professional and acting instructor, Michele Partridge. Her vision was born out of a need for creative spaces where emerging performing artists could cultivate their craft. Located in White Rock, British Columbia, The Drama Class was a nurturing haven for actors to explore and develop their talents.

Adapting to Challenges

In April 2020, The Drama Class faced an unexpected challenge with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we made the difficult decision to close our beloved studio. However, this setback didn't deter us. We swiftly adapted to the new reality by transitioning our programs to an online format, ensuring that our students could continue to receive quality training, support, and community from the safety of their homes.

Our Global Reach

What started as a local endeavor has evolved to transcend borders. Today, we proudly serve a diverse community of students not only across North America but also in countries as far-reaching as Australia, the United Kingdom, Greece, and Dubai.

The 4 Cs: The Pillars of a Career

“I have observed that most actors are inclined to spend nearly 100% of their efforts on only 50% of the job.

And then, they wonder why they don’t get better results.

Actors need to develop The 4Cs, not just the two

that they automatically gravitate towards”

~ Catherine Lough Haggquist

Creativity

Where it all begins...

Many actors feel that acting is their creative OUTLET but do not prioritize the need to explore and replenish their creative INPUTS as well. The first step to being an actor is to recognize and cultivate an appreciation for creativity in many forms and across multiple approaches.

Craft

Building skills...

The next step after exploring and cultivating creativity is converting those instincts and impulses into skills that allow one to authentically express (perform, act, tell the story, create characters) in a way that is technically consistent, adaptable and believable in the world of the story.

Commerce

How the money works...

Too often when the discussion of anything money related starts, artists get anxious. It can feel confusing, limiting and like it is a distraction from creating. Knowing how you add VALUE as an actor by maximizing opportunities within the systems and assessments used throughout the entertainment industry, offers actors a new confidence around the JOB of being an actor.

Communication

The key to collaboration...

Acting is a craft that is typically performed in community with other artists and craftspeople. Building a career as an actor requires the support of a team. Knowing how to effectively communicate with these different groups of people, as well as with the public, is an important and often overlooked building block of success within a competitive business.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Drama Class teach?

The Drama Class teaches online seminars, workshops and classes to support actors and other related creatives in building the skills and career they want.
Who teaches for The Drama Class?

The Drama Class instructors are working actors and other creative professionals, currently working in the entertainment industry, who want to share their strategies for growth and success.
Do you offer in person classes?

At this time, all seminars, workshops and classes presented by The Drama Class are conducted live online.
Why are your classes online?

While as actors we recognize that much of our Creative exploration and Craft skills do benefit from being experienced in a physical space, we’ve also realized, since Covid caused us all to pivot, that learning how to create and be creative in an online setting is in itself a benefit. The job of being an actor remains very much online: from self-tapes, to Zoom auditions & callbacks, table reads, and meetings. We also acknowledge that for many folks, access to an in-person school or studio is not an option and becomes a barrier to exploring and developing. We feel that we can create a space online to welcome actors from all over the world into the community and to provide skills training for whatever stage they are at, from wherever they are located. We also think that for the Commerce and Communication seminars, workshops and classes we offer, that the internet is a fantastically focused and effective way to share and explore these concepts.
Where is The Drama Class located?

The Drama Class operates online from within the Vancouver Studio Zone. As all our classes are online, we have been fortunate to welcome students from all over the world.
What is the difference between a seminar, a workshop and a class?

Our seminars are designed to be an introduction to key elements of the subject being discussed, lots of info but minimal individualized interaction and therefore can accommodate more folks attending. Our workshops are geared around folks implementing concepts and working with them both individually and with the group. This means enrollment is limited to ensure time for quality participation. Our classes are designed to increase competency over a longer time frame and generally run weekly over 4,6 or 8 weeks depending on the class.
How often do you offer seminars, workshops or classes?

Our schedule runs year-round and is updated regularly based on new offerings and instructor availability. Our website lists all our seminars, workshops and classes so if there is one you wish to attend that isn’t currently scheduled, please be sure to add your name to our waiting list (link to the waitlist) to be contacted ahead of our public announcements.
How long are your seminars, workshops and classes?

Our seminars, workshops & classes range in length and the running times may vary based on enrollment but generally speaking: Seminars are 60-90 minutes Workshops are 2-4 hours Classes are 1-3 hours per class, per week of session. Class sessions can be 4-8 weeks. Please check specific seminar, workshop or class for details.
What happens if I can’t attend my class or workshop?

If your cancellation is more than 72 hours in advance of the seminar/workshop/class you will receive a credit or a full refund. If your cancellation is less than 72 hours in advance, you will receive a credit to attend a future seminar, workshop, or class. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
What happens if my seminar, workshop or class is canceled?

If The Drama Class has to cancel or postpone a seminar, workshop or class that you are enrolled in, you will receive your choice of either a full refund or credit towards any upcoming seminar, workshop or class as well as priority notification of, and placement in, the next offering of the specific canceled session.
I signed up for a seminar, workshop or class but now can’t make it. Do you provide recordings?

No, we do not provide recordings. It is our desire to make our offerings safe spaces for students to be vulnerable and explore. For some specific workshops or classes, participants are allowed to record their own work onto their own device.
What are your payment options?

Currently we accept Visa, Mastercard and PayPal online through our website. For those for whom those payment options are not suitable, we can make other individual payment arrangements. Please email register@thedramaclass.com to enquire.
Don’t see your question or concern listed here?

Please feel free to reach out! We can be reached by email at info@thedramaclass.com