Photo by Moonrider Productions
Musical Theatre Intensive
Applications are now open for the summer of 2025!
Aimed at young artists (ages 12–19) with a passion for singing, dancing, and acting, the Arts Club’s Musical Theatre Intensive (MTI) exposes students to the kind of rigorous training typically found only at the post-secondary level and begins a journey toward becoming a true “triple threat” (actor/singer/dancer).
Our MISSION is to bring teaching artists together with aspiring young artists so they may share time and space in a way that allows for curious, creative, compassionate exploration of music, movement, and story; to inspire deeper questions about “the work” and our relationship to it; and to allow the process of making something from nothing unearth what we don’t yet know.
Now entering its 22nd year, the MTI continues its history of emphasizing process over product. We don’t simply teach music and dance steps; we give our students the skills to be authentic and expressive on any stage they play.
Our aim is to move beyond teaching kids how to sing and dance as we ask them to put aside their fears, believe in themselves, and act (on and off the stage) with passion and integrity.
We don’t want to simply train actors—we want to nurture and inspire the artists of tomorrow.
ARE YOU READY FOR THE MUSICAL THEATRE INTENSIVE?
Every faculty member at MTI is committed to making our program a rewarding creative space. A space where we can take risks, surprise ourselves, be open and honest with each other, be vulnerable, be uncomfortable, feel challenged—where we aren’t afraid to be wrong.
To truly grow as an artist, we must trust the process and the work we do: stillness, breath-work, physical explorations, silence, empathy… these can spark strong emotions and sensations. Through daily practice, we gain insight and agency to authentically use our bodies and voices within the given circumstances of the story we are telling.
To flourish, it is essential that you feel ready to take on the experience of the Musical Theatre Intensive.
- Do you get a small thrill when you step outside your comfort zone?
- Do you enjoy moving your body about in strange and unusual ways?
- Are you willing to make ugly, bizarre noises in pursuit of a healthy, expressive voice?
- Does sitting in silence with your thoughts and your breath sound freeing to you?
- Are you daring enough to take risks without self-judgement?
- Are you bold enough to share your big moments, big feelings, and big sensations with your mentors, your peers, and ultimately, an audience?
If this all sounds exciting to you—check in with yourself:
- Am I in the best physical and mental space to fully engage with this experience?
- Do I have the energy, focus, resilience, and support systems I need to flourish?
- What steps can I take to prepare myself?
Prioritizing your well-being will not only enhance your training but also ensure a healthier and more rewarding artistic journey.
If you have questions, our Program Director, Peter Jorgensen is happy to discuss the training we provide in more detail, and our Accessibility Coordinator, Amy Amantea will be happy to talk to you about any access needs and how we can best support you in the MTI program.
If you’re ready for some rich and rewarding theatre training—then we are more than ready to meet you.
THIS PROGRAM IS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
Charles and Eve Chang Foundation
Kate Dahlstrom
Jean Hurst
John C. Kerr Family Foundation
Irma & Marvin Lamoureux
Lohn Foundation
Applications are now open for the summer of 2025!
JUNIOR PROGRAM
This program is aimed at young artists aged 12–16 who feel they are ready to move beyond beginner level classes in musical theatre performance. While our instructors are happy to work with students who have limited experience/training, please note that this is not an “intro” level program. Though a little less intense than our Senior Program, participants are expected to put extra time into their work at home each night.
Ages: 12–16
Program Dates:
July 7–18, 2025
Monday–Friday, 10 AM–4 PM
Tuition: $765 (plus GST)
Location: BMO Theatre Centre
To apply for the Junior program, please send a submit the following application form. No audition is necessary, but we do ask that students meet at least two of five prerequisites for the course.
Applicants must have any TWO of the following:
- Dance training (2 years or more)
- Private voice training (1 year or more)
- Singing with a school or community choir (1 year or more)
- Acting/drama classes (1 year or more)
- Experience performing in a school or community musical
SENIOR PROGRAM
This program is aimed at young artists aged 15–19 who are seriously considering post-secondary training in the performing arts. The program provides an experience similar to a full-time conservatory training program. Aside from attending classes for 7hrs/day, 5 days/week, participants can expect to complete a great deal of prep work at home throughout the program.
Entrance into the senior program is by audition only. Auditions will take place on Sat, May 10, 2025.
To be considered for an audition, please submit a photo and résumé to intensive@artsclub.com. Your audition will be confirmed via email.
The deadline to apply for both programs is Sun, Apr 27, 2025.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Instruction from industry professionals
- Intimate class size ensures lots of one-on-one attention
- Private vocal coaching
- Dance classes
- Acting classes
- Musical theatre performance classes
- Tickets to live performances
- Meet other young people with similar aspirations and interests
- Q&A sessions with guest speakers from the professional theatre world
- Final showcase to share your new skills with family and friends
- Final reception for students, instructors, and guests
*The Arts Club Theatre Company recognizes that access to theatre programming is an important part of who we are. If you are interested in this program but are facing challenges accessing the program due to socio-economic barriers, please contact the Director of Education, Kevan Ellis at kellis@artsclub.com.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Peter Jorgensen
After a brief hiatus as Program Director, Peter is incredibly happy to be back at the helm for his 21st summer with MTI.
A theatre artist working and playing on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Halkomelem speaking peoples, he has over 25 years of experience as a performer, director, choreographer, producer, writer, and educator specializing in musical theatre.
As Co-Artistic Producer and resident director for Patrick Street Productions he directed and choreographed Into the Woods, The Full Monty, Bat Boy: the Musical, The Light in the Piazza (Jessie & Ovation Awards for Outstanding Production), Rodgers & Hammerstein: Out of a Dream, Floyd Collins, The Best Laid Plans, A Little Night Music, as well as his own musical adaptation of It’s a Wonderful Life. Other favourite directing/choreography credits include Once, Les Misérables, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma! (Chemainus Theatre Festival), Emperor of Atlantis (City Opera), Little Shop of Horrors, Fiddler on the Roof (Persephone Theatre), as well as the run-away hit Avenue Q (Jessie Award for Outstanding Musical) and Rock of Ages right here at Arts Club.
As an actor Peter has performed leading roles for the Arts Club, Playhouse, Gateway, Bard on the Beach, Belfry Theatre, Western Canada Theatre, Touchstone, Blackbird Theatre and Royal City Musical Theatre among others. Favourite credits include LumieĚre in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Arts Club), Don Juan in Don Juan (Blackbird), Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady (Western Canada Theatre), and his Arts Club debut as Georg Nowack in She Loves Me where he met his wife and collaborator, Katey Wright.
Peter is a passionate educator. In addition to being the founder and Program Director of the Arts Club Musical Theatre Intensive, he has led professional master classes through Patrick Street Productions and is a highly sought out instructor and adjudicator for music and theatre festivals. As a private voice coach, he continues to mentor artists of all ages and abilities from his home studio in New Westminster.
Along with his wife, Katey and really great musical theatre, he loves chocolate, dogs and his son, Lukas.
He is immensely grateful to every person that inspires him to learn and grow.
Classes via Zoom:
- Tuesday, July 13, 1:30–3:00 PM
- Tuesday, July 20, 1:30–3:00 PM
- Tuesday, July 27, 1:30–3:00 PM
Classes in-person at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage*:
- Thursday, August 5, 10 AM–1 PM
- Friday, August 6, 10 AM–1 PM
- Saturday, August 7, 10 AM–1 PM
Final performances at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage*:
- Saturday, August 7, 2 PM
Each student will receive a total of 3.5 hours of private coaching with Program Director Peter Jorgensen and Musical Director Sean Bayntun. These sessions will be scheduled in advance in consultation with each participant, and can be online or in-person.*
*Public health orders permitting
Applications for the 2021 MTI program are now closed. To be added to the mailing list, contact Hila Graf, Education & Community Engagement Manager, at hgraf@artsclub.com.
When young people take part in the Arts Club’s Musical Theatre Intensive, they become part of our community and, whenever possible, we offer alumni opportunities to perform at special events and workshops.
The greatest thrill, however, is seeing our students move on to greater and greater success throughout the industry. Alumni of our program study at top theatre schools around the world, including Sheridan University, the National Theatre School, NYU Tisch, Studio 58, Grant MacEwan University, UBC, The Randolph Academy, AMDA, and LAMDA, among others.
We are also seeing more of our alumni working with professional companies around the world, including, of course, the Arts Club:
- Stuart Barclay—Enjolras in Les Misérables and Sky in Mamma Mia!
- Sierra Brewerton—Gypsy, Mary Poppins, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Mamma Mia!
- Darren Burkett—ensembles of Mary Poppins, Hairspray, White Christmas, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Producers, and Gypsy
- Andrew Cohen—Judas in Godspell; Circle Game (a Joni Mitchell revue he created with Anna Kuman)
- Kayla Dunbar—Kate Monster/Lucy in Avenue Q; ensembles of Hairspray and Gypsy; movement director for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
- Cameron Dunster—ensemble of Spamalot
- Allison Fligg—ensembles of White Christmas and Hairspray
- Joel Grinke—projection/video design for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and The Day Before Christmas
- Shannon Hanbury—Mamma Mia!; Babette in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
- Kaylee Harwood—Cosette in Les Misérables
- Ellzabeth Irving—Mary Poppins and A Christmas Story: The Musical
- Daniel Pitout—White Christmas and The Producers
- Christine Quintana—Saint Joan and She Stoops to Conquer
- Brian Ribback—Billy Elliot
- Courtney Shields—assistant director on Rock of Ages
- Amanda Testini—assistant choreographer on Onegin
- Graham Verchere—Mary Poppins and A Christmas Story: The Musical
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Photo by Moonrider Productions
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Photo by Moonrider Productions
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Photo by Moonrider Productions
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Photo by Moonrider Productions
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Photo by Moonrider Productions
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Photo by Moonrider Productions
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Photo by Moonrider Productions
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Photo by Moonrider Productions