FREE Audition Workshop
LET'S GET YOU READY TO LAND THAT ROLE
Get practical tools to feel more prepared, confident and castable at your next audition.
Choose Your Day and Venue
Saturday, August 15, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Ladysmith Little Theatre
Register by August 13
Saturday, August 22, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Duncan United Church
Register by August 20
All skill levels and experience are welcome. Registration is required and space is limited. Call or text 250-466-9496 with your name and email address.
Have I Got a Course for You!
Standing the wings and feeling nervous is not fun at all; being on stage in a performance and not knowing what you’re supposed to be doing is much worse! It is not your fault if you don’t know how to say that line or what to do when another character is talking. The truth is that you were probably never taught what acting actually is, and how to do it like the pros do. I can show you the simple tools and focused techniques that will take your acting to the next level with clarity and confidence. If you would like to feel sure of yourself and have more truthful, engaging performances grounded in knowledge, practice, and a solid, tried and true approach, drop me a line. I’m here to help.
The Actor’s Process
September 12–December 12, 2026
13 Saturday classes | 26 hours of instruction | $275
No class September 19. *Important: Three classes meet at Diamond Hall. Please see the 2026 Fall Venue Schedule below.
This is the place for most actors to start.
If you’ve ever been on stage and not known what you were actually supposed to do—with your lines, between your lines, waiting for your cues—you are not alone. Even professionals feel this way when they start out. The solution is understanding the essential tools and processes that professional actors use to make it all look so easy. This course gives you those tools and methods that really work, so that you can enjoy more natural, confident and engaging performances.
The Actor’s Process will teach show you how to develop a clear, repeatable process for approaching a script, creating a character and working truthfully from moment to moment. You’ll learn:
What the actor's job actually is (it's probably not what you think)
How to discover what your character wants
How to turn lines into purposeful action
How to listen and respond truthfully
How to use your voice and body more effectively
And so much more!
“Taking this class helped prepare me for my first role in a community-theatre play…I would highly recommend the class for aspiring thespians!”
— Sherry Lavoie
Scene Study
September 12–December 12, 2026
13 Saturday classes | 26 hours of instruction | $275
Prerequisite: The Actor’s Process or equivalent experience
*Important: Three classes meet at Diamond Hall. Please see the 2026 Fall Venue Schedule below.
Discover What the Play Is Really Telling You
Scene Study takes you beyond individual acting exercises and into the living structure of a play. If you feel as though you do not completely know the play, or find yourself waiting for the director to fill in the blanks, script analysis can set you free.
The playwright has given you far more than dialogue. Action, relationships, subtext, obstacles, discoveries, reversals and changes are all waiting in the text. Learning how to uncover and play them can transform both your rehearsals and your performance. Scene study is where technique truly becomes artistry.
Students will work with scene partners and receive individual and group coaching throughout the course. You will learn how to:
Read a play and mine it for treasure
Break a scene into playable units and beats
explore your character and relationships in much greater depth
work in rehearsal more effectively
Translate a director’s notes into playable action
And that's only the beginning
“Barbra French’s approach to acting taught me more than I’d managed to forget. I’m definitely going to be a stronger actor and better director after taking her course.”
— Josee Duffhues
2026 Fall Venue Schedule
Both The Actor’s Process and Scene Study follow the same venue schedule. Class times remain unchanged.
Ladysmith Little Theatre
September 12 and 26
October 3, 10 and 17
November 7, 14 and 28
December 5 and 12
Diamond Hall
October 24 and 31
November 21
Please check the venue before every class.
Creating Characters
the three essential elements that make up character
The fundamental things that drive character action
What makes audiences fall in love with a character
How to use your own life to explore and develop a character
All you need to know about types and archetypes
Plus pitfalls, practicals, and performance perfecting
Polishing Performance
Saturday afternoon (4:00-6:00) Jan 10 – March 28 2026
Ladysmith Little Theatre
Pre-requisite: Scene Study
This is where good work becomes great.
Once you understand action and script analysis, the next challenge is shaping performances that are alive, detailed, and compelling from moment to moment. This advanced class focuses on refinement—making choices that are clear, bold, and deeply engaging.
This class is about polish, presence, and power. You’ll gain insider tools used by experienced actors to elevate their work and hold an audience’s attention—without overacting or forcing results.
I’m opening up the treasure chest for this one.
How to Use pauses, stillness, Gestures and Vocal Variety
Sharpening character choices and emotional specificity
Using subtext with precision, Clarity and intention
How to play opposites and create internal struggles
Crafting moments that feel truthful, surprising, and alive
and a long list of more tips to captivate your audience
1 : 1 coaching just for you
Personalized Help
Creatives of all kinds—actors, directors and teachers included—can get stuck from time to time. But for the most part, all they need is a nugget of information or a suggestion or two to smash through the blockage. Coaching can help you diagnose the problem and get you up and flying again in no time. Need an outside eye for your audition piece? Let’s get on zoom. Having trouble with a scene you’re directing? I can help you look in the right places for the answer. Not sure how to design a lesson plan for your first year acting students? You’ve come to the right place.
My coaching services can be done in person, over the phone or via zoom. A typical phone or zoom call is 30-45 minutes. Show coaching sessions for community or adhoc groups run 2-4 hours. I try to keep my rates affordable, as I realize that artists and community groups have tight budgets. Let's chat so we can figure out how best I can help.
FAQs
Still have questions? Schedule a call with me. It's free!
Leave top tab empty! No content in other words
Where do you offer in-person classes?
I live and work on Vancouver Island, on Canada's West Coast. If you're unsure if you're close enough, send me an email.
Which classes are running and when?
That depends on the needs of my students. If you're interested in a class, click the register button. As soon as enrolment is almost full, I'll confirm the date and time with you. My newest class, Getting the Laughs, will hopefully be scheduled for fall 2024.
How long are the Classes?
Most are 2 hours, once a week for 10-14 weeks, depending on the class.
are there any prerequisites?
It depends on your experience, but I generally like to have each student take Acting I and II before moving on. If you think you have the experience to take a more advanced class, reach out to me and let's chat.
How much do classes cost?
10-12 week in-person classes run from $200-250. I don't charge by the class; however, I invite students to decide after the first class if they would like to continue or not. After that first class, I offer a refund less a $50 fee. Prices are in CAD.
What do you charge for coaching?
There are many options for both individuals and groups. Typically, a 30 minute call is $50, a 60 minute call is $80, and a half day, group coaching is $300. Community groups and educational institutions should contact me for custom pricing for workshops and other events. Prices are in CAD.