Recently in Instructor Profiles Category

Dean Armstrong - Dean's varied career includes HAVEN, SAW 3D, 5 seasons on Showtime's Queer As Folk, the Host of the CBC 6 part mini-series TRIPLE SENSATION II and the spin of series Inspiration and Performance, as well as 2 years on Broadway starring in Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize + Tony Award winning musical RENT. 

Director of Armstrong Acting Studios, Dean is one of North America's most sought after episodic and feature film preproduction and on set acting coaches.  Credits include:  BEAT THE WORLD, (BTW PRODUCTIONS), THE BEST YEARS (The N Network), MEDIUM RAW (BLACK WALK/DEFIANT), PURE DESIGN (HGTV), CUPID'S CAFE (CBC), MR. FRIDAY (TEMPLE STREET PRODUCTIONS), BREAKING POINT, NATURAL WONDERS and 10 WAYS TO SAVE THE PLANET (DISCOVERY CHANNEL US/IMPOSSIBLE PICTURES UK), DA KINK IN MY HAIR (GLOBAL), the CBC pilot STUMP, HOW SHE MOVE (PARAMOUNT PICTURES), FUGITIVE PIECES (SERENDIPITY POINT FILMS), DARCY'S WILD LIFE (NBC), SAINT RALPH (ALLIANCE/ATLANTIS/AMAZE FILM + TV), RENEGADEPRESS.COM (GLOBAL), THE LIFE AND HARD TIMES OF GUY TERRIFICO (DARIUS FILMS) and Showtime's QUEER AS FOLK.  Some of his alumni include teen sensation Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana), Nina Dobrev (Vampire Diaries), Devon Bostick (Diary of a Wimpy Kid), Miriam McDonald (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (The Bold and the Beautiful) and Brittany Allen (All My Children).    

Dean is also the Founder and Executive Producer of APPULSE FILMS.  The company's first feature entitled VERONA, directed by Laurie Lynd (BREAKFAST WITH SCOT), is scheduled for release in 2010.

Dean is a graduate of Queen's University with degrees in both Theater Arts and Education.

For more information on Dean, please visit www.DEANARMSTRONG.CA. 

Steve has been a professional actor in Canada for over twenty-five years and has performed in many theatres across the country including the prestigious Shaw Festival. Some of his film and television work include Affliction, The Dead Zone, Possible Worlds, Hollywoodland, Stardom, G-Spot, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Sue Thomas F. B. Eye, Blue Butterfly, Silence, Savage Messiah, IMAX:Ultimate G's, The Eleventh Hour, X-files, Twilight Zone, Wiseguy, The G Spot, Nuremberg, 2000 and None, Night Heat, Top Cops, Omerta, The Commish, and Dead Man's Gun.

Steve's writing, producing and directing credits include his play A Conspiracy to Live, produced in Vancouver and The Lost Goddess, a short film accepted into the Yorkton Film Festival. Other writing, producing and directing credits include his short film Alien Read, currently airing on the SPACE and Drive-In Classic channels for CHUM. He co-produced/co-created the short film Succubus that is now making the rounds around the world on the film festival circuit.

Two feature length scripts that he wrote were recently optioned. He's also busy developing other feature length scripts and TV projects to be produced in Canada.

Steve was President of ACTRA B.C. and a former Board member of the B.C.M.P.A. (British Columbia Motion Picture Association) and MAIN FILM, an independent filmmaker's co-op in Montreal, Quebec where he resided for several years before recently moving back to Toronto.

He has taught/coached actors across Canada for the past twenty years and is currently teaching at The Randolph Academy and LIFT. Drop by www.steveadams.tv for more info.

Salvatore Antonio graduated with high distinction from the Acting program at the prestigious National Theatre School of Canada, where he is now a guest instructor. His resume boasts lead roles in Television, Film, Radio, and Theatre. For the past two seasons he has played the series lead on the Showcase series, Paradise Falls (currently airing on the Here! Network in the U.S). Other series include: The Listener; ReGenesis; M.V.P; This Is Wonderland; At The Hotel; Missing; Mutant X; Queer As Folk; and The Associates. Film work includes featured roles in: The Path to 9/11; Do Or Die; Cursing Hanley; Looking For Angelina; and Sam's Lake (produced by Madonna's Maverick Films, set for release in late 2009). Salvatore has played on most of Canada's professional stages from Vancouver to Halifax. Memorable performances include; the title-role in the critically-acclaimed 'Leo' (Tarragon Theatre), the title-role in 'Hosanna' (Young Centre), 'Peep Show' (Buddies In Bad Times), 'The Possibilities' (Saidye Bronfman), and 'Spring Awakening' (Monument-National). In addition to his acting and teaching, Salvatore is also a published playwright, who has been produced internationally in professional theatres in places like; Toronto, Florence, San Francisco, and New York. His play 'In Gabriel's Kitchen' earned him a nomination for the 2007 Governor General's Award for Drama (Canada's highest literary achievement). He has been Playwright-In-Residence at Buddies In Bad Times Theatre, and an invited member of the Playwright's Unit at Tarragon Theatre.

Stewart Arnott has been an actor, director and teacher for almost 35 years.  His many television credits include series lead in the CBC soap opera RIVERDALE, as well as principal appearances in the upcoming miniseries THE KENNEDYS; MAYDAY; 'TIL DEATH DO US PART; ANGELA'S EYES; and REGENESIS. Film credits include LESLIE, MY NAME IS EVIL; LOVE, SEX & EATING THE BONES; ABSOLON; and the acclaimed shorts TRAILING ARBUTUS and THE OLD WAYS.  

As a director, Stewart's work includes the world premiere of POBBY & DINGAN on the mainstage at  LKTYP (Toronto); MASTER HAROLD & THE BOYS; KILT and STRAWBERRIES IN JANUARY at Prairie Theatre Exchange (Winnipeg); AMADEUS and THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP at Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton); and PATIENCE; UNITY(1918) and DEMOCRACY at The Great Canadian Theatre Co. (Ottawa). He has also directed at George Brown Theatre School, Ryerson Theatre School and Theatre Humber.   

Recent acting highlights onstage include LADY IN THE RED DRESS (fu-GEN Theatre Co.); HALLAJ and WAITING FOR GODOT (Modern Times Theatre Co.); the lead in THE CARD TRICK (THE GLADSTONE VARIATIONS) at the Gladstone Hotel; starring with Dixie Seatle in the Canadian premiere of Edward Albee's  THE GOAT ( GCTC); and the premiere production of THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT (Birdland Theatre). 
 
Stewart has taught acting at George Brown Theatre School, The Players Academy, Teatro Escambray (Cuba), The Actors Workshop, and C.A.S.T.  He is also a busy private coach.

Brenda is an actor, theatre director, teacher and private acting coach.  She has performed on stages across the country receiving 4 Dora nominations.  Her recent credits include Linda in Death of a Salesman at Neptune Theatre; Stevie in Edward Albee's The Goat, Hesther in Equus at the Citadel; Lily in End of Civilization at Factory Theatre; Mary in Leaving Home for the Blyth Festival; Mrs. Sorby in The Wild Duck for Soulpepper.  Brenda's directing credits include Blown Sideways Through Life for the 2006 Toronto Fringe Festival (Best of the Fringe); Of the Fields, Lately for Sudbury Theatre Centre; The Sea for the Actors Repertory Company which received 3 Dora nominations, winning in the category of Best Actress in a Leading Role; Under Milk Wood, also for ARC.  She has over 80 film and television credits to her name including the critically acclaimed TV movie Sins of the Father starring Tom Sizemore and Richard Jenkins, Puppets Who Kill, Rabbittown, Haven, This is Wonderland, Redemption, The Secret Path and A Grief Shared for TVO (Gemini Award).  She has taught for George Brown Theatre School, Humber College (Acting for Television and Film Program), Ryerson University (Act II), Equity Showcase, the Actors Workshop, Actraworks and has conducted Acting for the Camera classes across the country.

MARCIA BENNETT is a well respected and highly experienced audition coach and teacher of film acting technique.  She holds a BA in Drama from the University of Evansville, IN and an MA in Theatre from the University of Missouri.  A professional actress for 38 years, Marcia is a member of ACTRA, SAG, CAEA and AEA.  She will be appearing, as recurring character Rose Perkins, in the ABC series, HAPPY TOWN, which airs in April 2010.  Also in the coming year, Marcia will be seen on THE MURDOCH MYSTERIES ("Love and Human Remains"), as well as the Lifetime MOW, AT RISK, and the Hallmark MOW, THE NIGHT BEFORE THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.  Her previous work in television and film is extensive, highlighted by her recurring role as May Silverstone in the first season of the award winning series, SLINGS AND ARROWS. Other credits include FUGITIVE PIECES (director, Jeremy Podeswa), STILL SMALL VOICES (Mario Azzopardi), THE STONE ANGEL (Kari Skogland), ABOVE AND BEYOND (Sturla Gunnarsson), MASTERS OF HORROR, "Sick Girl" episode (Lucky McKee), THE WOODS (Lucky McKee), PLAGUE CITY (David Wu), THE WOOL CAP (Steven Schachter).  On stage, she has worked in theatres across Canada and was nominated for a Dora Award as Best Actress for her role as "Julia" in MADRE (Aluna Theatre Company) at Theatre Passe Muraille.  She has helped actors prepare for film and television auditions for 12 years. She has also served as on-set coach for films MY LOUISIANA SKY, RED SNEAKERS, SNOW and KIT KITTREDGE: An American Girl Mystery, in addition to television series RADIO FREE ROSCOE, BLAKE HOLSEY HIGH, and THE ZACK FILES.

Mark's theatre credits include Music Director for "High School Musical" (Drayton Entertainment), "Cinderella" (Ross Petty Productions), "Menopause Out Loud" (G4 Productions) "Broadway Heros" (David Rogers), "Starbright" (D2 Entertainment) and various shows with the Mantini Sisters. He was also Associate Musical Director for "Mamma Mia" (Mirvish Productions), "Dirty Dancing" (Mirvish Productions) and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat" (Stage West). Currently Mark is the Music Director/Arranger for International Recording and Touring Artists "The Canadian Tenors". Mark has shared also shared the stage with many artists including, Marvin Hamlish, Andrea Bocelli, Sting, Sheryl Crow, Dorian Harewood and Amy Skye. He was also featured as a Concert Artist for Yamaha Canada. Mark owns and operates his own recording studio IMAGINE Sound Studios. His Recording/Producer credits include the world premiere cast recording of the musical "Rob Roy", "Adventures in Jazzland" (Jeff Healey), "Broadway Batchelor" (David Rogers), "Have a Little" (Dorian Harewood), "Friends" (Charlotte Moore) "I Should Have Been Famous by Now" (Steve Patterson). Mark's T.V. and Radio composition and recording credits include commercials and corporate videos for Canada Post, Cosmopolitan Magazine, General Mills, Microsoft, General Motors. Mark has also written music for "Triple Sensation" (Produced by CBC/Garth Drabinsky) as well as scoring various documentaries for the History Channel and TLC. As an arranger, Mark has orchestrated "Chicago" and "Annie" for Neptune Theatre (Halifax), "Give My Regards to Broadway" for David Rogers (Tour), "Home For The Holidays" Mantini Sisters (Tour), "Starbright" (D2 Entertainment) and "Rodgers and Hammerstein with Hart" (Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra). Mark also enjoys traveling across Canada when invited to give seminars, adjudicate competitions and vocal coach.

Raven Dauda has guest-starred on episodes of 11th Hour, Wild Card and Showtime's Soul Food; re-occurring as the conniving Kelly Foran on the scandalous Paradise Falls, and has had the honor of working on NBC's Living for Love - The Natalie Cole Story. Other notable works include her roles on television shows such as; This Is Wonderland, Street Time, Mutant X and Sue Thomas; F.B.Eye, and feature films such as Left Behind, Paid in Full, and Bulletproof Monk. On the theatrical stage, Raven has co-starred with many of Toronto's greatest talents, in shows such as; Da Kink In My Hair, 7 Stories, She Never Bought Me An Easy-Bake Oven, The Young Peoples Theatre production of The Prince and the Pauper and award winner Nourbese Philip's play Harriet's Daughter in which she played the lead title role. Having a child-like spirit at heart, Raven finds immeasurable fulfillment in teaching drama to kids and is thrilled to be a part of the The Armstrong Acting Studio.

Bruce has just finished shooting his latest feature, FLASH OF GENIUS with Greg Kinear. He has played leads and guest-starred in television series, movies of the week and features since entering the industry in Canada in 2001; most recently in CELINE and GUNS. He has appeared with Stacy Keach on Broadway in SOLITARY CONFINEMENT and as Macduff in MACBETH opposite Christopher Plummer with Glenda Jackson. At regional theatres across North America and in Scandinavia his favorite roles include; Morgan in THE DRAWER BOY, Oxford in RAVAGED HEARTS, Sir Toby Belch in TWELFTH NIGHT at Can Stage's Dream in High Park, HENRY V, Hal in HENRY IV pts. 1 and 2, James Tyrone Jr. in LONG DAYS JOURNEY INTO NIGHT and MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN, Jack Tanner in MAN AND SUPERMAN and Mozart in AMADEUS. As a writer, Bruce's plays have been produced across the United States and in Europe. His newest play, RANDOM ACTS OF LOVE, is scheduled for a November 2007 run in Goderich, Ontario and will be seen in the Toronto Fringe's Next Stage Festival in January 2008.

Patrice Goodman is a professional actor, director, choreographer and teacher who brings 17 years of experience to the studio. She recently appeared in the miniseries BLOODLETTING and participated in the Next Stage Festival in the award-winning play FIRST HAND WOMAN. Patrice voiced a character alongside Gordon Pinsent and Alberta Watson in the short film THE SPINE which was directed by Oscar winner Chris Landrith. It was an official selection at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival. Patrice has been a series lead and series regular in several TV shows including MAXIMUM DIMENSIONS and PLATINUM. She has also appeared in BEING ERICA, ODYSSEY, FIVE, DOC, and WILDCARD. Patrice has performed in children's theatre for the last 13 years, her favorites include Anansi the Spider and The Ugly Duckling with Little Red Theatre Company and more recently Touch the Sky at LKTYP. Patrice has been teaching drama and dance to youth and young adults for the last eight years, she had also taught in post secondary programs at the Munich Film Academy in Germany and TA at the Mallorca Film Academy in Spain. Patrice is excited to be instructing at the Armstrong Acting Studios.

Most recently, Mr. Huard conducted Sweeney Todd for the Calgary Opera and music directed PELAGIE for CanStage and the National Arts Centre. He has conducted the world and Broadway premieres of RAGTIME, SHOW BOAT and KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN; the Canadian premiere and Broadway production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA; the Canadian production of SUNSET BOULEVARD and THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER in CONCERT (Toronto). Mr. Huard was music supervisor for the LIVENT INC. productions of SHOW BOAT (Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, Sydney), THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Toronto), KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (Toronto, London, New York), SUNSET BOULEVARD (Toronto) and RAGTIME (Toronto, Los Angeles, New York). His recordings include THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, SHOW BOAT, SUNSET BOULEVARD AND RAGTIME. Mr. Huard holds a Master in Music degree from Northwestern University.

Janet-Laine has been a working actor/director/producer and teacher for more than 25 years. Her performances have been honoured with 9 Genie and Gemini nominations. She holds an MFA in directing from York University, as well as a  B.F.A. in Theatre from the University of Alberta. Most recently Janet-Laine directed a production of Lorca's YERMA for Players Academy of Toronto. She also produced and directed MENOPOSITIVE THE MUSICAL in 5 theaters across Ontario. Other directing credits include productions of MEDEA, REVERSING FALLS, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, IN PURSUIT OF A COW. She is also the Artistic Director of Brief Case Productions which has produced PILLOW TALK, PAJAMA GAMES, HUNTER'S MOON, DADS and REVERSING FALLS. Janet-Laine's prolific work in film and television includes starring roles in THE STONE ANGEL,NIAGRA MOTEL, THIS IS WONDERLAND, DEAD LAWYERS, THE LIMIT, COWBOYS DON'T CRY, PRIMO BABY, THE BELIEVERS, LOVE, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES,BEACHCOMBERS, SEEING THINGS, and regular appearances on many popular Canadian and American series.

On stage Janet-Laine has performed in most of the major theaters in Canada and will be seen in the Grand Theatre's production of THE GRADUATE this fall. She is also a highly sought after voice animation artist. As a teacher Janet - Laine has been instructing the subtleties of acting for the camera for more than ten years. Currently she is on the faculty of both Humber College and Equity Showcase Theatre. She has taught at the University of debrecen in Hungary, ACTRA in Toronto, The Winnipeg School of Fine Arts, SIFT in Ottawa, Theatre Escambray in Cuba, as well as Toronto's York University. She is a highly respected private coach for film production.

Janet-Laine brings a wealth of practical knowledge to her classes. It is not uncommon for actors to return again and again to study with her, not simply because she knows the business of acting, but because she has a fundamental understanding of how to assist actors to access their own potential.

Maggie Huculak brings almost 30 years of extensive experience in theatre, television and film performance to the classroom! She has performed in most theatres in Toronto, with leading roles at the Stratford and Shaw Festivals, and is a six time Dora Mavor Moore Award nominee. Maggie has held regular and recurring roles in the following TV series: Puppets Who Kill, Queer as Folk, The Adventures of Shirley Holmes, Wind at My Back, and Eric's World. Other TV and Film credits include Anne: A New Beginning, The Gathering, Fugitive Pieces, The Perfect Man, Prom Queen, The 11th Hour, The News Room, Blue Murder, Street Legal and ENG. Ms. Huculak has directed seven productions in Toronto, and has served as an on-set acting coach for several television shows including: The Ricky Nelson Story, Wind at My Back, Ready or Not, The Adventures of Shirley Holmes and T.M.N. at the Movies. Ms. Huculak is co-author of four plays, including the collectively created Mein, winner of a Dora Award, and The Betrayal, winner of a Chalmers Award. Ms. Huculak received her B.A. and Professional A Certificate from the University of Saskatchewan. She is a certified Occasional Secondary School teacher with the Toronto District School Board. She served on the board of directors for the Toronto Arts Council for six years, as the co-chair of TAC's theatre committee.

Joy has a Master of Fine Arts from York University in both Acting and Voice Teaching. She has designed and delivered courses in Voice and Speech, Presentation Skills, Dialects, and Acting for York University, Randolph Academy of Performing Arts, Brock University, The National Voice Intensive, Vancouver Film School, Toronto Film School, and Georgian College.

Her company, "Resonare" delivers courses for Corporate and Sales Professionals that have been customized for successful training projects with TD Bank, Royal le Page, Investors Group, Ministry of the Environment, The Pingway, and The Farm. She has also served as a media consultant and private coach for public and political figures.

Joy has worn many different hats in the worlds of theatre and music over the years - performer, director, composer, and recording artist. Her directing credits include plays, musical theatre, musical revues, concerts and variety shows.

Robert is a professional actor, teacher, director, and stage manager who brings over twenty years experience to the studio.  As well as teaching at The Armstrong Studio, Robert has taught at George Brown College, and an On Camera Acting course at Seneca College.  He regularly sits on the audition panels for University of Toronto Erindale and Sheridan College where he also does monologue coaching, text analysis, and improvisation work.  Film and Television credits include Lost Girl, Mayday 9, U.S. Attorney (CBS pilot), Hotbox, The Bridge, HollywoodlOdyssey 5, The Killing Yard opposite Alan Alda and,  and the critically acclaimed short films Silent War, and Reunion to name a few. Selected stage credits include the Mirvish production of the hit musical My Mothers Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, Theatre Awakenings  In Darfur, numerous seasons with The Blyth Festival, 1000 Islands Playhouse, Stirling Festival, and Christmas Carol and Inherit the Wind at Geva Theatre in Rochester New York

New to Toronto, Jen MacLennan brings to the Armstrong Acting Studios experience in theatre and film in Vancouver. She graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting from the university of British Columbia where she received excellent classical theatre training and played roles including Masha in 'The  Three Sisters' and Margaret Richard III.  She went on to play the lead in Tooba Physical Theatre's original production of Lady Macbeth for the Evergreen Theatre. After training for film with Andrew McIlroy and working with The Method at Lyric School of Acting in Vancouver, she added to her resume a principal role in the American series The Dead Zone. Jen completed her Bachelor of Education lat year at Queen's university and has teaching experience with Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts and Claude Watson School for the arts. Jen finds work in both acting and teaching greatly rewarding.