Orpheus Schoolhouse is Open!
At Orpheus, we believe that quality arts education should be available to all. The Orpheus Schoolhouse is specifically designed to provide advanced arts training by accredited and experienced instructors at the lowest cost. Our flexible rates include discounts for Orpheus Members, Pay What You Want options, and bursaries to ensure that every child has access to positive arts education.
The Schoolhouse Has Grown!
We’re excited to share that The Schoolhouse is expanding this year, now offering a wider range of classes on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
Our second semester runs from January to June and offers a full 16 week program. Registration is now open.
*Orpheus Schoolhouse courses are intentionally the lowest priced in town to ensure affordability and accessibility for all. PAY WHAT YOU WANT options are intended for those who require the accommodation. If you can afford the full price, we ask that you be honest and leave the PWYW options for those in need. If the PWYW options are still out of reach for you, we have bursaries available. Please contact J.T. Morris at jt@orpheusmusicaltheatre.ca or by phone at 613-729-4318 for more information on bursaries.
Current Classes
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Musical Theatre Explorers
with Audrey Read Egan & Wendy Berkelaar
Saturdays, January 17 - June 20 (16 Classes)
No Classes: Feb 14 & 28, March 14 & 21, April 4, May 16 & 23
Ages 6 - 8 years: 9:00am - 10:30am
Cost:
Regular: $180.00
Orpheus Members: $160.00
*PAY WHAT YOU WANT 1: $100.00*
*PAY WHAT YOU WANT 2: $50.00*
Where:
Orpheus Musical Theatre
17 Fairmont Ave
Ottawa, ON K1Y 1X4
About the Course
“Explorers” introduces young performers to the magical world of musical theatre in a fun, play-based environment. Students build confidence through theatre games, group singing, and creative movement, while learning how stories come to life on stage.
Follow the Regirstration Links for more details.
About the Instructors
Audrey Read Egan is a theatre instructor who specializes in teaching young performers the fundamentals of acting and dance. She moved to Ottawa in July 2024 from Casper, Wyoming, where she continues to serve as the Executive Director of The Casper Children’s Theatre, an organization dedicated to inspiring, educating, cultivating, and fostering creativity and self-worth in children ages 4-18. Over the past 15 years, Audrey taught 8th grade Language Arts at CY Middle School in Casper, and has directed and choreographed more than 30 productions for young performers ages 4-18. Her own theatre journey began at age 11 when she was cast as Pepper in Annie, and she has since been involved in nearly every aspect of the theatrical arts, both onstage and behind the scenes. Audrey holds degrees in Theatre and English from the University of Ottawa, a teaching degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and toured internationally with Up With People as a member of Cast B98. She is currently in the process of becoming an Ontario Certified Teacher, with the goal of continuing to teach 8th grade Language Arts and Theatre in Ottawa. Teaching and theatre have always been her greatest passions, and she is thrilled to combine the two through her work with Schoolhouse and Orpheus Musical Theatre.
Wendy Berkelaar
With 20+ years of musical theatre experience under her belt, Wendy Berkelaar is a well-respected music director and pianist in the Ottawa region. She has worked with many musical theatre companies in the city, including Orpheus Musical Theatre, ASNY Productions, indie women productions, TotoToo Theatre, and Three Sisters Theatre Company. She is a local keyboard sub for Broadway Across Canada, and has performed with several touring companies at the National Arts Centre including “Wicked”, “The Book of Mormon” and “Les Misérables”. Internationally, she spent a year with Spotlight Theatre and Mixed Company Theatre in Australia, and toured Germany and Switzerland as Associate Music Director of a production of “Grease - Das Musical’. She is the co-founder of Zucchini Productions, which produces the very successful Ottawa franchise of the “Confidential Musical Theatre Project”.
When not working in theatre, Wendy teaches piano privately, and is the choral accompanist for OrKidstra, a Sistema-based organization that empowers children through music. Wendy holds a masters degree is 18th century performance practice.
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