CBC Actors Conservatory
Overview
APPLY
Supporters
2017 CBC ACTORS CONSERVATORY SHOWCASE
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The CBC Actors Conservatory offers actors a transformative artistic experience that strengthens the performer’s instrument, builds their professional and creative skill set, and empowers them to navigate career and marketplace opportunities.
The program is designed to increase your confidence and onscreen portfolio while establishing strong creative and industry partnerships.
Please find additional information below, and contact actors@cfccreates.com if you have any questions.
IMPORTANT DATES
Applications for the 2019 CBC Actors Conservatory are now open, and will close on March 28th, 2019. Program start and end dates: July 15 2019 to February TBA, 2020.
PROGRAM DESIGN
The CBC Actors’ Conservatory is the only full-time comprehensive professional on-camera acting program in the country. This six-month program balances artistic expression, creative collaboration, and on-screen work with the demands of the international screen entertainment industry.
CORE COMPONENTS
- Developing the actors’ instrument
- Expanding onscreen work
- Strengthening creative storytelling and collaborative skills across multiple disciplines.
- Owning the audition process
- Accelerating professional development and career strategies
OUTCOMES
- Engages actors in onscreen storytelling and the filmmaking and TV process
- Increases range, power and depth through working with some of the world’s leading practitioners
- Strengthens business knowledge of onscreen acting and how to best position yourself and your talents in the marketplace
- Expands your professional reel
- Builds opportunities to showcase your onscreen talent and position you for work in the screen entertainment industry
- Brokers countless creative and business opportunities by offering access to international mentors, creative advisors and leading industry professionals
ELIGIBILITY
Designed for actors who are deeply committed to the craft, open to growth, have a strong desire to collaborate and expand their range as an onscreen performer. Ideally, they will also have previous training or experience.
Applicants must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
We are committed to equity and inclusion, and welcome and encourage applications from diverse Aboriginal Peoples, cultural and regional communities, and from actors living with disabilities.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Strengthening the actors’ instrument
Actors will participate in workshops, exercises and master classes exploring a variety of approaches and techniques You will be challenged creatively within a productive forum while expanding your acting toolkit
Expanding onscreen work
The CBC Actors' Conservatory offers a variety of on-camera workshops and exercises. These opportunities are designed to make you more comfortable and aware of your onscreen presence and prepare you for more complex work.
Strengthening creative storytelling and collaborative skills
Collaborative storytelling and cross-discipline work is a fundamental part of all of our programs. We consider our actors to be storytellers and creative leaders. As such, you will participate in workshops and exercises which explore the script to screen process, providing you with analytical and practical tools to be more fully integrated into the overall creative process.
The CBC Actors' Conservatory offers you the opportunity to work with all other CFC disciplines including directors, film and TV writers, producers, editors, songwriters and composers. These collaborations will foster your appreciation of all the creative elements, expand your professional community, and encourage multi-disciplinary growth.
Owning the audition process
An integral part of an actor’s development involves exploring the audition process. Audition workshops and exercises throughout the Actors' Conservatory are designed to present you with a variety of material, scenarios and the chance to work with a diverse range of professionals who offer coaching and feedback.
Accelerating professional development and career strategies
This stream includes sessions on how to manage different aspects of the business, including professional relationships, personal presentation, meetings, etc.
Additionally, we will explore your rights as a performer, your role within the film and TV business, and ensure that you are exposed to best practices both on and off the screen. You will leave the program with a renewed perspective on building your brand and career, and empowered to navigate the marketplace more effectively.
For any additional questions concerning the CBC Actors' Conservatory, please email actors@cfccreates.com.
ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
The CFC is committed to providing accessible practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation at any stage of the application process or have any questions regarding appropriate accommodations please access our accessibility policy here or contact Deborah Fallows, CHRO, at: dfallows@cfccreates.com.
Program Partners
Please find information on the application process below, and if you have any questions, please contact actors@cfccreates.com.
ELIGIBILITY
Designed for actors who are deeply committed to the craft, open to growth, have a strong desire to collaborate and expand their range as an onscreen performer. Ideally, they will also have previous training or experience.
Applicants must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
We are committed to equity and inclusion, and welcome and encourage applications from diverse Aboriginal Peoples, cultural and regional communities, and from actors living with disabilities
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications for the 2019 CBC Actors' Conservatory are now open!
Applications Open: February 5, 2019
Application Deadline: March 28, 2019
Selections: May 2019 (dates TBD)
Program Start Date: July 15, 2019
Program End Date: February 2020 (date TBD)
Application Requirements:
1. Must be a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident of Canada
2. Letter of intent: A one-page description outlining what you hope to achieve by attending the Conservatory, both within the program and after, including your thoughts about the particular skills you would like to improve and how you plan to do so during the program.
3. Link to view your Self Tape online: Demonstrating your range and talent, your self tape should be a three to four page scene from film or television in the style of an audition.
4. Acting Resume: Including education, training, and related experience.
5. Photo or Headshot
6. Letters of Reference: 2 maximum, from anyone who is familiar with your acting ability. Letters should emphasize your proven commitment to your craft. Letters should be addressed to “Actors Conservatory Selection Committee”. If your referee prefers, letters can be emailed to actors@cfccreates.com.
Please note: there is a processing fee of $25 for applying to the Actors Conservatory.
SELECTION PROCESS
A selection committee comprised of industry professionals from across Canada and key program staff are involved in the review process.
Shortlisted applicants will be notified by phone of audition and interview dates and times.
An audition and interview mark the final stage of the selection process and is intended to clarify each applicant’s expectations and assist the committee in determining which candidates will best contribute to and benefit from the program’s design.
If you are shortlisted, auditions usually take place towards the end of May, and you will be notified of acceptance soon thereafter.
TUITION
Please note that commencing in 2018, we are introducing a tuition fee of $7,000 for the CBC Actors Conservatory but will also be increasing the bursaries awarded to actors from $6,500 to $13,500 each. This financial support is made possible in part through the generosity of the Brian Linehan Foundation and the CFC’s Endowed Scholarship and Bursary Funds.
PROGRAM PARTNERS

PROGRAM PATRONS
PROGRAM SPONSORS
![]() | |
![]() |
PROGRAM MEMBERS
PROGRAM FRIENDS
ORIGINAL MUSIC CREATED THROUGH THE SLAIGHT MUSIC RESIDENCY
OUR APPRECIATION GOES TO

The CFC would like to acknowledge the co-operation of the Toronto Performers Branch of the ACTRA Performers Guild.
The CFC Actors Conservatory CLOSE-UPS are 3- to 5-minute cinematic works based on original characters created by the actors. These productions are intended for the big screen, and are designed to promote the actors and their talents in an entertaining and meaningful way.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE 2017 PROFESSIONALS IN RESIDENCE
Lindy Davies | Actor Mentor
Kelly McEvenue | Actor Mentor
Rebecca Northan | Actor Mentor
Stephanie Jones | Actor Mentor
Anders Yates | Actor Mentor
Rosemary Dunsmore | Actor Mentor
Sheila McCarthy | Actor Mentor
Jason Knight | Casting Director Mentor
Marissa Richmond | Casting Director Mentor
Rae Ellen Bodie | Actor Mentor
Daniel MacIvor | Writer Mentor
John Paizs | Filmmaker Mentor
Maureen Dorey Lukie | Writer Mentor
David Ostry | Filmmaker Mentor
THANK YOU TO OUR 2017 GUESTS
Joshua Astrachan
Lesley Barber
Mark Binks
Deidre Bowen
Anne Carey
Suzy Catliff
Derby Crewe
Audrey Cummings
Damon D'Oliveira
Michael DeCarlo
Susan Forrest
Kevin Frank
Jennifer Goldhar
Stephanie Gorin
Matthew Gouveia
Dennis Heaton
Matt Hilliard-Forde
Nicole Hilliard-Forde
Sam Hudecki
Kishwar Iqbal
John Irving
Emmanuel Kabongo
Marty Katz
Sara Kay
Michael Levine
Jenny Lewis
Nadia Litz
Molly McGlynn
Lisa Merchant
Franca Miraglia
Luc Montpellier
Kimberly-Sue Murray
Ruba Nadda
Charles Officer
Randall Okita
Carrie Paupst-Shaughnessy
Emily Piggford
Mika Rekai
Paul Reynard
Ron Sanders
Kiwi Smith
Clement Virgo
Sophia Walker
Dewshane Williams
Steve Wilsher
Perry Zimel