INSTRUCTORS
MICHELE PARTRIDGE
Prior to founding The Drama Class, Michele was an actor for 10 years, then went into casting, produced short films, a feature film, video games and commercials. She has owned and operated several successful businesses including three well-known acting schools for all ages.
Michele has been teaching acting, public speaking and improv for 25 years. She has sat on several judging panels including the Leos Awards, Vancouver Web Fest and The Joey Awards among others. Michele has also been on several boards.
She has won business awards from the Ocean Park Business Association, The Peace Arch News and the South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce.
In 2017, Michele co-founded PACA (Peninsula Arts & Culture Alliance) to help spread the word about the performing arts.
Currently Michele is chair of the City of White Rock’s Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee for a two-year term.
LAINE MACNEIL
Laine MacNeil was born and raised in Vancouver, BC. She started her career at a young age and appeared in her first significant role as Kayla in “Mr. Troop Mom” with all rounder George Lopez in 2009.
The following year Laine was cast as “Patty Farrell” in the Dairy of a Wimpy Kid” Trilogy 2010-2012. She has worked in many film and TV projects including You Me Her for which she was nominated for a Canadian Screen Actors Award.
Other notable projects include The Killing, Deadly Class and the newly released “Spontaneous”. Laine has been an instructor at The Drama Class for the last four years.
JULIANNE CHRISTIE
Julianne Christie is an award winning actress and director with 25 plus years experience in our industry between Los Angeles and Vancouver.
She is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and has nearly 50 IMDb credits in film and television. Recently here in Vancouver, Julianne has appeared in really fun roles on The Good Doctor, The Flash. The Imposters, Loudermilk and Lucifer.
Over the last decade Julianne has increased focus on Directing and the teaching of our craft. She has helped many of our students master their self tapes to book major roles in our industry.
Julianne is also the Creator/Director of a new comedy series coming out of Hollywood North called The Vancouver Actor’s Guild.
DANN WILHELM
Primarily focusing on theatre, Dann has appeared on stages from Stanley Park to Chilliwack and many points in between over the last 25+ years. An award-winning musical theatre actor and director, he has been nominated for numerous Community Theatre Coalition awards for his work on stage as well as behind the scenes. He is also an active writer, singer, music director and producer.
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LYNDA MACNEIL
Lynda MacNeil, is an Actor, Makeup Artist, Acting Coach and "Stage Mother". Lynda started out in the industry as a Makeup Artist but when the opportunity came to train as actor with the great Antony Holland and Catherine Caines she jumped at the chance. Taking time out to raise her family Lynda devoted herself to shepherding their successful acting careers. Now that her children are adults Lynda has resumed her own acting career. She has been teaching at The Drama Class for the past four years. Helping children develop their skills and realize their potential is one of Lynda’s favorite things to do.
ERIN MARSHALL
Erin has been performing in the greater Vancouver area for the past 27 years, and teaching at TDC for the past two years. She has been working in the Vancouver film industry since 2011. In addition to performing, Erin is a certified early childcare educator with 8 years of child care experience. She has worked with children of all ages, from six weeks to seventeen years. In her classes, she likes to use developmentally appropriate techniques and approaches to help children achieve a greater understanding of 'the craft'. This often includes using visuals, child appropriate language and lots of colouring sheets!
BRIAN DOE-CHUA
Having worked behind the microphone, in front of the camera, on stage, and in the classroom, Brian is perhaps best-known for lending his voice to the characters of Timber Spruce in the My Little Pony: Equestria Girls universe, Osamu Mikumo on World Trigger, Gabe Brunai and Katana Sakaki on Beyblade Burst, and many more. Brian has also worked on various video games, such as Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak and most recently the Nintendo mobile game Dragalia Lost. Not one to only be confined to the microphone, Brian has also been developing a portfolio of live action work that includes the FOX TV series Wayward Pines, and the CW Network's Supergirl to go along with various independent film projects that can be seen at film festivals around the world.
You can find Brian on Twitter and Instagram @TheBrianDoe
DAVID LEWIS
Born and raised in Vancouver BC, David James Lewis knew from an early age that he wanted to be an actor. At the beginning of his career David cut his teeth on commercials, independents and numerous short films. One of them being 1999’s “Shoes Off” which won the Best Short Film International Critics Week at the Cannes Film Festival. David continues to enjoy and contribute to the independent film scene and in fact finds it some of his most rewarding work to date. Over the years David has worked opposite Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly on “The Day the Earth Stood Still”, William H. Macy in the award winning film “Door to Door” and most recently with Aubrey Plaza on the reboot of “Childs Play”. Previous television work includes “Dead Like Me”, “The L Word” “X-Files” “Supernatural” “Fringe” and every third Movie of the Week over the past 10 years. David has had recurring roles on “Girlfriends Guide to Divorce” “Rogue” “Motive” “Intruders” and “Dirk Gently Holistic Detective”. Also a writer David worked on writing and helping with the creation of the web series “Parked” as well as writing a variety of short films. One of them being “Stalled” which went on to play in 23 film festivals worldwide. He has a Leo award which he keeps next to his bed.