Artist Training

Top Row: Karen Rae, Jason Patrick Rothery, Raquel Duffy, Ins Choi, Gregory Prest, Tatjana Cornij. Bottom Row: Brendan Wall, Matthew Kabwe and Ken MacKenzie. Photo: Sandy Nicholson.

Photo Credits

The Soulpepper Academy 

Soulpepper strives to play a significant role in the development of future generations of theatre artists through the Soulpepper Academy. This full-time, paid training program was launched in 2006. Selected through an exhaustive nation-wide search, 10 artists undertake a two year residency to further develop their skills under the guidance of leading theatre practitioners, further their careers through involvement in Soulpepper productions, teach in the classrooms of the local community, mentor youth and develop a collective creation. The Academy is comprised of directors, playwrights, designers and performers and in many cases, artists are skilled in more than one area or discipline.

The Soulpepper Academy program is divided into two phases. The first year is strongly focused on training and pedagogy, while the second year shifts to performance/production with ongoing training. Mentorship and teaching activities run throughout the two-year program, as does collective creation. Artists participate in workshop showcases during the first year and in the second join the Soulpepper Company on the mainstage. A full-length, public production of an Academy Collective Creation is the culmination of the two-year residency.

After a nation-wide search, the 2009/10 Soulpepper Academy were selected: Ins Choi, Tatjana Cornij, Raquel Duffy, Brendan Healy, Matthew Kabwe, Ken MacKenzie, Gregory Prest, Karen Rae, Jason Patrick Rothery, and Brendan Wall.

“My original intention was to pursue a career as a musician. So there were many experiences, from an acting standpoint, that I didn't have until I arrived here and one of those was being in a Shakespearean play. So at the age of 32, at the most prestigious classical theatre company in Canada, I made my Shakespeare debut!” – Mike Ross, Soulpepper Academy 06-08

“It’s been a challenging, beautiful two years and whatever I do and whoever I become will absolutely be coloured by this experience.” – Sarah Wilson, Soulpepper Academy 06-08

2011/12 Academy Selection

Information on how to apply for 2011/2012 Soulpepper Academy will be available in May 2010 and will be listed on the Work With Us page.