Stratford-area students who would rather be behind the curtain than on stage can get some hands-on experience in theatre productions over the March Break.
Off the Wall, a not-for-profit alliance of Stratford Festival production artists and passionate theatre supporters, is offering five March Break theatre production workshops at its studio at Factory 163 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. March 10 to March 14.
“These workshops are taught by outstanding specialty artists including many working at Stratford Festival,” said Off the Wall Board Co-chair Michele Boniface. “You’re guaranteed to learn from the best and have a great time doing it. These workshops are confidence boosters and may reveal new talents waiting to be discovered.”
The workshops include one on special effects makeup for stage, cosplay, or Halloween, a faux food props session, another on building scenic art facades, followed by lighting design, and finally stage management. They are open to those aged 16 and older and cost $95 per session or $425 for all five sessions.
Off the Wall's workshops are supported in part by grants from the Forster Family Legacy Fund for Community Giving, Jeff and Keltie Keller Family Fund, and Stratford Perth Youth Arts Fund.
Beyond the March Break offering, Off the Wall hopes to bring its expertise to local schools in the future.
“We are reaching out to five local high schools and hope to encourage teachers to invite artists into schools for hands-on workshops in the future,” said Boniface. “We also provide opportunities for teachers and visitors to book in-studio visits for groups coming to Stratford Festival matinees.”
People interested in reserving a spot in the upcoming workshops can do so online at stratfordoffthewall.com/march-break-2025-workshops.
