Acting Classes & Production
Classical roots. Cinematic presence.
Work
The close-up doesn't forgive- and it doesn't need to. Spondee Studios works at the intersection of classical training and cinematic performance, developing actors who are grounded, specific, and ready for the frame or stage.
About
Scott Stephenson is an actor and teacher with over 25 years of expeience. He has a Master of Fine Arts degree in acting from York University, and a B.A. with honours in Acting from Dalhousie University. While in Toronto Scott studied under David Rotenberg from Pro Actors Lab. Scott has taught Acting Shakespeare, Contemporary Acting and Acting for the Camera in Canada and Ukraine. He has worked at York University, Shakespeare in Action, The Classical Theatre Project, Shakespeare by the Sea, ProEnglish Theatre in Ukraine, and Ship's Company Theatre.
Contact
For information regarding workshops, classes, or one-on-one training.
On-Camera Registration
To register for the Oct-Nov On-camera class, please fill out form and message your level of acting experience and any questions you might have. Space is limited, so your space isn't held until payment is made.
Workshop fees for Oct. 5- Nov. 9, 2026 On-camera Acting classes at AFCOOP. $350.00 for AFCOOP/ACTRA members $390.00 non-members. Classes will be held in studio at 1800 Argyle st, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Please go to the registstraion page after purchace.
AFCOOP/ACTRA Workshop Fee $350 (CAD)
Workshop Fee $390 (CAD)
On-Camera Acting Class Oct. 5- Nov. 9, 2026 at AFCOOP
Acting is a collaboration — but most actors spend years training in a vacuum, never working with a camera, never building the footage that opens doors. This six-week intensive changes that. You'll work on the fundamentals — presence, listening, truthful behavior under imaginary circumstances — inside a pro actors lab-style classroom where the work is rigorous, generous, and alive. Every student finishes with a recorded scene, shot and ready for your demo reel.
The On-Camera Workshop covers:
Hitting your mark
Eye lines
Creating compelling scenes
Being Present on camera
Listening to your scene partner
Finding Icons in scenes
Finding Relationship
Camera Framing
Raising Stakes
Reactive/Volitional/Interlock Beats
Testimonials"I highly recommend Scott Stephenson as a theatre educator and director. As a coach,
Scott is incredibly insightful and perceptive. He urged me to deeply define the emotional
state of my characters and offered invaluable help interpreting dialogue in both classical and
contemporary texts. His unique ability to communicate observations allows actors to reach
their own profound revelations about characters and relationships—a skill that is absolutely
vital for anyone preparing to work professionally.
Most recently, Scott’s coaching helped me successfully audition for prestigious international
post-graduate programs, including the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts
(LAMDA), Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and New York’s New School for Drama. Having
worked as a professional actor for the past four years alongside various directors and
teachers, I can confidently say Scott is one of the best. He would be a fabulous instructor
and a valuable asset to any program."
Caitlin Stewart- ActorYork University Students
"Scott was a great acting teacher! He was very encouraging and had very many ways to help us understand
difficult concepts. He made the class fun and we learned a lot.""Scott is a very good, attentive teacher. He has a good way of explaining things and is very energetic and
funny. I am an aspiring filmmaker and he has taught me a lot of useful knowledge about acting.""Scott was awesome and this class was fun to come to. He knows his stuff and made acting for a non-major
so comfortable.""Loved it! So much fun! Thank you.""This class rocked! I loved it, Scott was amazing. I learned a lot to help me in life. Keep this course alive."Ella Leving
Youth Services Librarian
Captain William Spry Public Library
“The guy is AMAZING. He is a gem. You should see how he interacts with the kids! Even with
those who obviously have some learning challenges and fall somewhere on the autism
spectrum.
Scott was born to be an educator (and an actor too :)). I would love to have him on an annual
basis. I feel these types of programs are mandatory for libraries. Scott's program presents
a wildly successful combination of drama games, literacy elements, overall fun"
Scott Stephenson
Education:MFA. Acting- York University 2005-2007 Faculty of Graduate Studies; Department of Theatre Thesis successfully defended in April 2007
Thesis: “Under the Skin of a Grape: Approaching Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath”BA Acting- Dalhousie University 1999-2004 Department of Theatre
Graduated with an Honours degree. April 2004Teaching Experience:
Post-Secondary
September 2005-April 2007
Instructor, York University, Theatre 1520 Introduction to Acting:
Teaching University students ages 17 and up the fundamentals of acting. Focusing on objectives, tactics, script analysis, body awareness, scene work and monologues. I was responsible for a three hour class every week each semester.
(enrolment 20-25)Other Teaching Experience
February 2016-present
Artistic Director, Spondee Theatre:
Developing multiple programs to develop an understanding of Shakespeare and other classical works to the greater
Nova Scotia community. Instructing various classes and workshops that further comprehension and improve acting skills to groups of different needs and levels. Instructing reading programs to children ages 6-12. Conducting acting workshops within schools for teens furthering understanding of classical text. Working with members of the community to develop programs that raise awareness of dramatic poetry. (enrolment 5-10January 2020-August 2021
Instructor ProEnglish Theatre, Kyiv, Ukraine: Acting Shakespeare. Teaching Shakespeare to Ukrainian acting students. Devised course work for 16 two hour classes.
Focus on iambic pentameter, acting verse, and working with classical texts.January 2020-August 2021
Instructor ProEnglish Drama School, Kyiv, Ukraine
Teaching Audition Technique. Teaching Ukrainian acting students cold reading, making quick dramatic choices and relaxation techniques. Lead mock auditions. 16 two hour sessions,May 2016
Instructor, Nova Scotia High School Drama Festival:
Two day Shakespeare Workshop. Instructing high school students from across Nova Scotia an actor’s approach to the
works of Shakespeare. Focusing on textual analysis, and style through monologue and scene work. (enrolment 12-15)October 2007-2011
Instructor, Shakespeare in Action:
Teaching children ages 6-15 the works of Shakespeare. Focusing on comprehension and reading skills. Some acting
components are also used. I was responsible for all lesson plans for a total of 14 hours of class time. (enrolment 5-10)March 2010- May 2010
Workshop Leader, Classical Theatre Project: Leading post performance workshops for students and teachers using the works of Shakespeare. Engaging participants to experience Shakespearian text as something spoken aloud and not quietly read. Developed exercises for a series of one hour workshops for both students and teachers alike.July 2009
Course Director/Instructor, Dream North Theatre Company:
Teaching professionals and members of the community of Whitehorse the works of Shakespeare. Focus on the differences between acting modern text and Shakespearian text. Exploring the differences between Shakespeare's Prose and Iambic Pentameter. Discussed an actor’s approach to the first folio text, punctuation and spelling differences etc. Lead 4 hour workshop.May 2002
Instructor, Nova Scotia High School Drama Festival: Three day acting Workshop. Developing lesson plan and instructing high school students from across Nova Scotia the fundamentals of acting. Incorporating voice, text, and movement, students worked with masks, neutral scenes and monologues.June 2001- August 2002
Course Director and Instructor Shakespeare by the Sea Kids Summer Camp: Developed Lesson plans for kid’s summer day camp age ranges from 6-12 and 13-17. Oversaw other Instructors and
aided them in instructing. Lessons in understanding Shakespeare, acting fundamentals, and scene study, etc. I worked with
each group for two weeks in which our final goal was a staged Shakespearian scene, rehearsed over the two weeks, and
performed outside in front of an audience of friends and family.Auditions Conducted April 2007
Audition Panel York University:
Lead group warm-ups for perspective York Theatre Department students. Redirected audition pieces. Interviewed
candidates for undergraduate program. Part of three member panel to approve perspective students.Practical Training
Instructors:
Acting: David Rotenburg, Paul Lampert, Daniel MavIvor, Patrick Christopher, Jennifer OvertonFilm Acting: David
Rotenberg, Jennifer OvertonVoice: David Smuckler, Eric Armstrong, Susan Stackhouse
Movement: Erica
Batdorf, Michael Greyeyes,Dance: Kathryn EdgettSinging: Jane Smiley, Peggy Redmond, Lisa St. Clair
Viewpoints: Michael Greyeyes
Mask: Paul Lampert, Patrick Christopher
Other Courses and Workshops:Ivanna Chubbuck Technique. ProEnglish Theatre, Kyiv, Ukraine- Nastasiia Shapoval, July 2021Sense Memory- Michelle Lonsdale-Smith. York University, Fall 2006Stage Combat- Simon Fon, York University, Fall 2005Clown- Michael Kennard, York University, Fall 2005-06Clown- Philippe Gaulier, Dalhousie
University, April, 2003Shakespeare- Diego Matamoros, Dalhousie University, February, 2003Voice Work/Voice coaching
Dialect Coach feature film, “Storm School” Director: Vincent Ward
Mama Canada ECG Productions. Voice of “Professor”
