Workshop description

This Workshop is open to graduates of an ACTRA Professional Voice Workshop, as well as young performers who have professional experience (on ACTRA contracts) on dubbing projects.

With material sourced specifically for their ages/types, participants will be challenged to perform at the highest level. The course will focus on advanced techniques such as breathing, vocal movement, pitch, projection, enunciation (to match character), vocal colour, line changes, Walla rules, taking direction and microphone-technique.

Please note that participants will be training for professional engagements on media projects destined for the American marketplace. For this reason, English proficiency is a requirement for this Workshop. No time will be spent on English clarification, or acquiring a standard, North American accent.

The course will take place over one weekend, with each participant training for four hours (either in the morning or afternoon) on Saturday and on Sunday (a total of eight hours in studio).

Who should apply?

• ACTRA members, Apprentice members and non-members who have previously taken the ACTRA Professional Voice workshop.
• Applicants will be dynamic, excellent communicators with a demonstrated passion for performing. Applicants must speak English fluently.

Selection process

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• A self-tape, mp3 recording (script below)

Participants will be selected by a committee in a manner which faithfully reflects the diversity and range of ACTRA Montreal’s membership. Priority consideration will be given to full and apprentice members.

Key dates

• Module 1: Group A: 09:00 to 13:00 – Group B: 14:00 to 18:00 – 15 November 2025
• Module 2: Group A: 09:00 to 13:00 – Group B: 14:00 to 18:00 – 16 November 2025

Deadline to submit your application: 20 October 2025 at 09:30am

Cost: $75.00 (plus taxes) – thanks to a generous subsidy by Compétence Culture. ACTRA thanks its industry partner, Difuze, for helping to make this workshop possible.

Number of participants: 16 participants (2 groups of 8)
Group A: 8 individuals between ages 10 and 16. (Kids and Teens)
Group B: 8 individuals between ages 17 and 21. (Teens and Young Adults)

Duration: 8 hours per group

Location: Difuze Studio, Montreal

Language: English

Admission criteria: 

• Age range: 10 to 21 years old.
• Proficiency in English.

Please note: Participants under the age of 18 will be required to submit a signed, Parental Authorization Form which will be sent to those who are invited to take part in the workshop.

Instructor

Thor Bishopric did his first radio spot at age 4. Since then, Mr. Bishopric has performed in thousands of productions in every performance category. He also works internationally as a Voice Director, with countless directing credits in animation, live action, documentaries, video games and dubbing. Over the past two decades, Mr. Bishopric has trained dozens of young performers as they have learned to master the technical and creative challenges of voice work.

MP3 recording

Applicants are asked to provide an mp3 recording of the following poem as their voice audition:

Now I am Six: by A. A. Milne

”When I was One,
I had just begun.

When I was Two,
I was nearly new.

When I was Three,
I was hardly me.

When I was Four,
I was not much more.

When I was Five,
I was just alive.

But now I am Six, I’m as clever as clever,
So I think I’ll be six for ever and ever.”