WELCOME to
THE NEXT STAGE
with SCOTT HURST
Workshops and Classes specifically designed for curious Adults who want to explore Acting in a supportive, structured, studio environment. Whether you're new to the work, returning after time away, or looking to deepen your craft, you'll be guided by a professional instructor with over 45 years of experience in and on the stage.
SCOTT HURST
ACTING WORKSHOPS
"Training in a Safe, Studio Environment"
Next 8-week Workshop
Session III: Practice In Performance
May 12 - June 30
Registration now open.
ADULT ACTING WORKSHOPS
Session III: PRACTICE IN PERFORMANCE
May 12 – June 30 Registration is now open
Tuesday evenings from 7 - 9:30 p.m. for 8 weeks
Recommended for Age 18 and above
WORKSHOP LOCATION
INFINITY PERFORMING ARTS STUDIO
4 Alliance Blvd., Unit 4, Barrie
(Corner of Bell Farm Road & St. Vincent Street)
PRIVATE COACHING & PREPARATION
FOR POST-SECONDARY AUDITIONS
I offer private coaching for actors and emerging artists who want focused, practical support either in person or online. Coaching sessions are tailored to your goals and may include monologue work, scene coaching, audition preparation, confidence-building, and performance skills. If you’re preparing for post-secondary auditions, I can help you choose pieces, strengthen your storytelling, clarify intention and structure, and build a rehearsal plan that supports consistency under pressure.
Please ask about our tiered pricing for private coaching.
OTHER INFORMATION YOU MIGHT NEED
WHO ARE THESE WORKSHOPS FOR?
These classes are designed for: Actors with some experience who want to deepen their craft,
serious beginners willing to work with focus, curiosity, and integrity, Artists who value process,
preparation, and truthful connection. This is a working studio environment — supportive, focused, and respectful — rather than a drop-in or performance-based class.
Recommended for Age 18 and above
APPROACH TO THE WORK
My approach to acting training is grounded in honest communication: with your scene partner, with the text, and with the audience. I am less interested in “performance” than I am in presence, clarity, and responsiveness — the skills that allow an actor to work truthfully under real conditions.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Each session balances structured exercises with scene and monologue work, tailored to the needs of the participants in the room. Technique is always placed in service of listening, timing, and human connection,
rather than display or imitation.
Each class includes: Acting exercises to strengthen presence, responsiveness, and clarity,
Guided work on monologues and scenes, Individual and group feedback,
Time for questions and discussion before and during class
While each workshop has a clear structure,
the content adapts to the needs and interests of the participants.
HOW TO PREPARE EACH WEEK
You don’t need to do hours of homework to succeed in this workshop — but you will get more out of the work if you give yourself a little time between classes to reflect, review notes, and prepare
any assigned material. I’ll provide clear guidance week to week so you always know what to focus on next.
FEEDBACK & DISCUSSION
In this workshop, feedback is brief, specific, and in service of the actor working. When we respond to someone’s work, we’ll keep comments concise and focused on what was observed
rather than long interpretation or advice. Not every moment requires a group response, and I may move us forward quickly to protect time, rhythm, and safety in the room.
ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION
All workshops are offered in a barrier-free environment. This studio welcomes participants of all
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Physical abilities, ages & body types
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Genders & orientations
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Cultures, ethnicities & belief systems
Accessibility is not an accommodation — it is a foundational value.
SESSION III:
PRACTICE IN PERFORMANCE
May 12 – June 30, 2026 - Tuesdays • 7:00–9:30 PM
at Infinity Performing Arts Studio, Barrie
So… what will we be doing in Practice in Performance?
We’ll be working on scenes and monologues as an ensemble — putting them on
their feet, shaping them, and bringing them to a shared presentation. Each actor
will develop several pieces drawn from a curated mix of contemporary and
classic texts. Memorization is welcome, but not required. Over eight weeks,
we’ll explore character and relationship, using simple staging and self-blocking
to clarify what’s happening between characters. Our focus is on doing the work
in a way that holds up when shared — making choices, keeping what works, and
letting go of what doesn’t as we build the work together. This session is designed
for actors with some experience who are ready to go deeper. It’s a small-group
environment built on listening, responsiveness, and ensemble.
By the end, we’ll have something we’re ready to put in front of an audience
— because if no one sees it, what are we doing?
Dates: May 25 – June 29
Day/Time: Tuesday evenings, 7:00–9:30 PM
Location: Infinity Performing Arts Studio, Barrie
Capacity: Maximum 10 participants
Tuition: $250 after April 24
Early registration: $225 (by April 24)
To Register: scotthurst9591@gmail.com
Spots are limited.
FAQs & Policies
F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Do I need previous acting experience?
A: No. This workshop welcomes both serious beginners and experienced actors.
Q: What should I bring?
A: A notebook, a pencil, comfortable clothing you can move in, and an open mind.
Q: Do I have to do homework between classes?
A: No heavy homework is required, but you’ll get more from the work if you review notes and prepare any assigned material between sessions.
Q: What if I miss a class?
A: Because this is a small-group workshop with limited spots, missed classes are not typically refunded. If something unexpected comes up, please reach out and we’ll handle it with care and clarity.
Q: Can I audit the workshop?
A: Yes. Up to 2 audit seats are available per session. Auditors are welcome to observe and learn without participating in exercises.
Q: How much does auditing cost?
A: $20 per class, pay-as-you-attend. Auditors who attend four classes are eligible for 25% off their next full workshop.
Q: How do I register and pay?
A: Registration details and payment options are provided on the workshop pages. Payment options include e-transfer, cash, or cheque.
Q: What is your refund policy?
A: Full refunds are available up to 7 days before the first class of the workshop. Partial refunds (50%) are available until the end of the second class. After that point, refunds are no longer available, though in exceptional circumstances I may consider credit toward a future workshop.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Scott Hurst (he/him)
is a queer elder, actor, director, and teacher with over 45 years of professional experience at such theatres as The Stratford Festival, National Arts Centre, London’s Grand Theatre and the Moscow MDM.
Barrie, Ontario has been his home base since 1995, and he is the recipient of the Excellence in the Arts Award from the 2009 Barrie Arts Awards. Scott has also received two Guthrie Awards from the Stratford Festival as well as an Ontario Arts Council grant to continue work on his solo performance piece.
Why I Teach
Artists have always had the ability to change the world in subtle but tangible ways. Actors who can integrate the work of the playwright, dramaturg, director, and storyteller are among the most powerful of all. I believe actors grow fastest in rooms that are structured, respectful, and genuinely human.
TO CONTACT ME . . .
Email:📧 scotthurst9591@gmail.com
Mobile/Text: 705-229-7862
Facebook Page: Scott's Thoughts on Live Theatre
Facebook (personal): Scott Hurst
Instagram & Threads: shursts
Bluesky: @sparklyhuman.bsky.social
Podcast: "Before the Downbeat" with Mackenzie Horner.