The Dirt Underneath Actors' Space

The Dirt Underneath Actors' Space Film + theatre scene study classes & private coaching available with John Gordon. John taught for 9

John taught for 9 yrs at ProActorsLab & 2 yrs at Equity Showcase.

Final Call: ARP + Session 3 Deadlines Are TodayTwo deadlines. ACT today.6PM (EST) — ARP Deadline⸻Artist Residency Progr...
04/30/2026

Final Call: ARP + Session 3 Deadlines Are Today

Two deadlines. ACT today.

6PM (EST) — ARP Deadline
⸻
Artist Residency Program (ARP)
One annual recipient receives:
• 1 session (6 classes) with John Gordon
• 1 session (6 classes) with Shaun McComb
• 6 hours private voice training with Peter N. Bailey
• Grant Writing workshop with Victoria Urquhart
• 3 hours business coaching with Cynthia Chan

Apply by April 30 (6:00PM EST)
Interviews: May 23 – June 6
Recipient notified: June 15

Application details in bio.

⸻

11:59PM (EST) — Session 3 Application Deadline
⸻

John Gordon – Master Class
Mondays 6:00–10:00PM | May 11 – June 22 (no May 18)
$475
For experienced actors and returning students

⸻

John Gordon – Daytime Class
Thursdays 12:00–4:00PM | May 14 – June 18
$475
+$25 off for eligible first-time auditors

⸻

John Gordon – New Student Class
Tuesdays 2:00–5:00PM | May 12 – May 26 (3 weeks)
$325
For actors with no prior experience

⸻

Shaun McComb – On-Camera Scene Study
Tues 6–10PM | Wed 12–4PM | Fri 11–3PM
May 12 – June 19
$475

⸻

Victoria Urquhart – Grant Writing 101 (Online)
May 28 & June 4 (4–6PM)
or June 13 & 20 (12–2PM)
Includes one free clinic (June 11 or June 27)
$175 | Early-bird $150

⸻

If you’ve been considering it, this is the decision point.
Apply now to secure your place.

Another beautiful testimonial for Shaun McComb’s On-Camera Scene Study:“I’ve trained with Shaun McComb for about a year,...
04/28/2026

Another beautiful testimonial for Shaun McComb’s On-Camera Scene Study:

“I’ve trained with Shaun McComb for about a year, both in class and through private online coaching — and he’s hands down the best acting coach I’ve ever had.

Shaun takes the time to truly know each actor — not just their craft, but who they are as people. He builds training around your specific goals and challenges, giving clear, actionable notes that immediately elevate your work. He has no ego; his only focus is helping his students grow.
What I appreciate most is the safe, encouraging space he creates. You feel free to take risks, explore, and push yourself in ways you never have before. His depth of knowledge, adaptability, and innovative problem-solving make every session inspiring and productive.”
- Rick Hastings
⸻

Shaun McComb’s Session 3 – On-Camera Scene Study (Application Required)
Three scheduling options:
• Tuesdays 6:00–10:00PM (May 12 – June 16)
• Wednesdays 12:00–4:00PM (May 13 – June 17)
• Fridays 11:00AM–3:00PM (May 15 – June 19)
$475

⸻

Early bird discount ends at 11:59pm tonight. Act now to save $50. Here’s what’s coming up for May/June 2026:Key Dates...
04/27/2026

Early bird discount ends at 11:59pm tonight. Act now to save $50.

Here’s what’s coming up for May/June 2026:

Key Dates:
• Early-bird deadline (all classes except Grant Writing): Monday, April 27 @ 11:59PM EST
• Scene Study application deadline: Thursday, April 30 @ 11:59PM EST
• Grant Writing early-bird: 2 weeks before the first class
• Session runs: May 11 – June 22

⸻

John Gordon – Master Class (Application Required)
On-Camera Scene Study
Mondays, 6:00–10:00PM
May 11 – June 22 (no class May 18 – Victoria Day)
$475 (early-bird $425)
For experienced actors working in film, TV, or theatre, or those who have trained with John for at least two terms.

⸻

John Gordon – Daytime Class (Application Required)
On-Camera Scene Study
Thursdays, 12:00–4:00PM
May 14 – June 18
$475 (early-bird $425)

First-time auditor discount available: take an additional $25 off if eligible.

⸻

John Gordon – New Student Class (Application Required)
Tuesdays, 2:00–5:00PM
May 12 – May 26 (3 weeks)
$325 (early-bird $300)
Designed for actors with no prior experience.

⸻

Shaun McComb – On-Camera Scene Study (Application Required)
Three scheduling options:
• Tuesdays 6:00–10:00PM (May 12 – June 16)
• Wednesdays 12:00–4:00PM (May 13 – June 17)
• Fridays 11:00AM–3:00PM (May 15 – June 19)
$475 (early-bird $425)

⸻

Victoria Urquhart – Grant Writing 101 (ONLINE)
Two options:
• May 28 & June 4 (4:00–6:00PM)
• June 13 & June 20 (12:00–2:00PM)

Includes a free-access clinic (choose one):
• June 11 (4:00–7:00PM)
• June 27 (12:00–3:00PM)

$175 (HST exempt)
Early-bird $150

⸻

Spaces are limited across all classes. Apply early to secure your spot and preferred schedule.

An Intimate Evening of Live Theatre at Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace starring and directed by our own Come see the ...
04/23/2026

An Intimate Evening of Live Theatre at Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace starring and directed by our own

Come see the inaugural production of SlipTrap Theatre, Toronto’s newest independent theatre.

Experience Brilliant Traces by Cindy Lou Johnson up close in a space where every breath, glance, and silence lands. At Theatre Passe Muraille backspace, there’s no distance between audience and story — just raw, immediate human connection.

Brilliant Traces

by Cindy Lou Johnson

Presented by SlipTrap Theatre

In the remote wilds of Alaska, a woman stumbles out of the snow with no destination and a need to keep moving.

A storm rises. Roads vanish. Car batteries die. The isolated cabin of an oil rig worker becomes the only refuge left.

At the edge of nowhere two strangers collide, each carrying a past they refuse to name. As the storm tightens its grip, stories fracture, truths slip, and what begins as mercy transforms into something else entirely.

Desolate and haunting, Brilliant Traces is about isolation, loss, change and the rarest of intimacy. When a life is in free fall, what is there to grab on to, and at what cost?

MORE INFO AT www.sliptraptheatre.com. Use code: BRILLIANTARTS for a discount.

HOW DO I AUDIT A CLASS?The Dirt encourages new students to drop in + audit our On-Camera Scene Study classes for free.1....
04/18/2026

HOW DO I AUDIT A CLASS?
The Dirt encourages new students to drop in + audit our On-Camera Scene Study classes for free.
1. Check our schedule of classes. Choose one to audit.
2. Email the instructor directly the day before to check on exact class start time. Please note there are no auditors allowed for Movement Classes or Grant Writing Workshops. Contact emails: [email protected] for John’s classes and [email protected] for Shaun’s classes.
3. We just ask you to arrive 10 minutes before class and stay for as little or long as you like. The address of The Dirt is 636 Pape Avenue (entrance off Cavell Avenue, behind John’s Video, through the black gate).
4. Be a respectful observer of class and please refrain from giving acting notes.
5. Once you’ve audited a class and then applied to take Scene Study within 3 months after, you will qualify for the First-time Auditor’s Discount (which is an additional $25 off either the early-bird rate or regular rate).
6. ** the discount does not apply if you only watched a live-stream class **

04/13/2026

We asked Sierra Holder (2025 ARP Recipient) what she wants you to know about her experience. Watch this clip to find out why she said

The Artist Residency Program (ARP) will be awarded to one recipient on an annual basis.
The recipient will have free tuition and access to:
1. One session (6 classes) with John Gordon (On-Camera Scene Study)
2. One session (6 classes) with Shaun McComb (On-Camera Scene Study)
3. Voice Classes (6 hours of private lessons) with Peter N. Bailey
4. One session with Victoria Urquhart (Grant Writing 101 Workshop)
5. Three hours of business coaching with Cynthia Chan
Applications will be accepted for the 2026 Residency between January 1 and April 30, 2026 (6:00pm EST)
Short-listed candidates will be granted an interview between May 23 and June 6, and the recipient will be notified by June 15, 2026.

Info on how to apply to ARP found in BIO

Session 3 Applications Are Now OpenHere’s what’s coming up for May/June 2026:Key Dates:• Early-bird deadline (all classe...
04/05/2026

Session 3 Applications Are Now Open

Here’s what’s coming up for May/June 2026:

Key Dates:
• Early-bird deadline (all classes except Grant Writing): Monday, April 27 @ 11:59PM EST
• Scene Study application deadline: Thursday, April 30 @ 11:59PM EST
• Grant Writing early-bird: 2 weeks before the first class
• Session runs: May 11 – June 22

⸻

John Gordon – Master Class (Application Required)
On-Camera Scene Study
Mondays, 6:00–10:00PM
May 11 – June 22 (no class May 18 – Victoria Day)
$475 (early-bird $425)
For experienced actors working in film, TV, or theatre, or those who have trained with John for at least two terms.

⸻

John Gordon – Daytime Class (Application Required)
On-Camera Scene Study
Thursdays, 12:00–4:00PM
May 14 – June 18
$475 (early-bird $425)

First-time auditor discount available: take an additional $25 off if eligible.

⸻

John Gordon – New Student Class (Application Required)
Tuesdays, 2:00–5:00PM
May 12 – May 26 (3 weeks)
$325 (early-bird $300)
Designed for actors with no prior experience.

⸻

Shaun McComb – On-Camera Scene Study (Application Required)
Three scheduling options:
• Tuesdays 6:00–10:00PM (May 12 – June 16)
• Wednesdays 12:00–4:00PM (May 13 – June 17)
• Fridays 11:00AM–3:00PM (May 15 – June 19)
$475 (early-bird $425)

⸻

Victoria Urquhart – Grant Writing 101 (ONLINE)
Two options:
• May 28 & June 4 (4:00–6:00PM)
• June 13 & June 20 (12:00–2:00PM)

Includes a free-access clinic (choose one):
• June 11 (4:00–7:00PM)
• June 27 (12:00–3:00PM)

$175 (HST exempt)
Early-bird $150

⸻

Spaces are limited across all classes. Apply early to secure your spot and preferred schedule.

Address

636 Pape Avenue
Toronto, ON
M4K3S3

Telephone

4166181121

Website

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