IN CLASS Workshops

We offer year-round programming with something for every class from grade 4-12!

We’ve got a world premiere Mainstage production in the fall, new works IN DEVELOPMENT in the spring, and our beloved Finding Your Voice and Reclaiming Black Canadian History experiences available year-round. And this season we’re introducing our newest workshop: the Queer Elder Series. Check out our full season of programming to learn how Studio 180 IN CLASS can support your efforts to decolonize your classroom, examine Black and Queer histories, and support your students in finding and raising their voices!

APPLY FOR A SUBSIDIZED WORKSHOP

MAINSTAGE WORKSHOPS

Experience a full production of a provocative play, featuring award-winning creative teams. Pre- and post-show sessions – delivered at the theatre or in your classroom – contextualize and delve into the themes, big questions, and characters of the play, while fun and generative drama-based activities inspire ensemble-building and student creation. An additional fee of $20 per student will apply when booking tickets to a performance.

A PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION

In Association with Crow’s Theatre
Written and performed by Jonathan Wilson
Directed by Mark McGrinder
$20 student group rate
Wednesday matinées March 26, April 2 (SOLD OUT), 9 & 16 @ 2pm
Crow’s Studio Theatre, 345 Carlaw Avenue, Toronto

The cornerstone of Studio 180’s 2024/25 season is the world premiere of A Public Display of Affection. Nurtured over six years through Studio 180 IN DEVELOPMENT, Jonathan Wilson’s powerful solo show has emerged in conversation with youth participants of Studio 180 IN CLASS and we can’t wait to welcome high school students to experience the full production this Spring!

Mixing comedy, history and poignant reflection in equal measure, this deeply personal work excavates the lives, loves, and landmarks of Wilson’s youth, looking back on his time as a high school drop-out in Toronto in the late 70s and early 80s and the challenges met (as well as the community formed) in the face of persecution, ostracization and the onset of the AIDS pandemic. Join Jonathan Wilson on an intimate exploration of the Village he knew, the legacy it left, and the future being forged by a new generation.

Students attending the play get the chance to participate in three-session workshops that illuminate untold histories of Toronto’s LGBTQ+ communities and ignite student creation around themes of identity, community, and storytelling.

Recommended for grades 9-12
Content Advisory: Very strong language including homophobic slurs; themes of death, loss, sexuality, homophobia, transphobia; mentions of sex work and sex trafficking, and violence including sexual and police violence, and violence against children. No violence, sexuality or nudity is depicted on stage.

I was amazed.

Grade 12 Drama student, Earl Haig Secondary School, TDSB

I am part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and I didn’t know all of the history related to it, so I was glad that I was able to see a bit of the past through the play.

Grade 12 Drama student, Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School, Peel

I loved seeing the play because it was such a different raw production compared to others I’d seen before and made it seem easier to complete a piece of story that was mine which I’d never thought of doing before.

Grade 11 Drama student, Mayfield Secondary School, Peel

IN DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

Get a rare glimpse into the theatre creation process with a workshop featuring one of Studio 180’s plays IN DEVELOPMENT. Pre- and post- show sessions focus on the themes, characters, and big questions of a work-in-progress, inviting students behind the scenes to meet the artists, provide feedback, and activate their own creative expression. 

In 2024/25 these workshops are available during FIRST SEMESTER ONLY. Attendance at all IN DEVELOPMENT readings is FREE but space is very limited so book your spot ASAP!

FALLEN STAR: The Shooting of Ukrainian Airlines PS752

Created by The Ensemble in collaboration with filmmaker Moze Mossanen
Student readings Thursday, November 28 @ 10:30am & 1:30pm
The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen Street West, Toronto

In the aftermath of one of the worst civil aviation tragedies in recent history, the families of victims of Ukrainian Airlines flight PS752 come together with a collective of actors to seek answers as to how and why their loved ones perished. Exploring both the personal and political fallout of the tragedy this development period will combine verbatim, improvisation, and collective creation to mine the devastating cost of promising lives cut short and the possibility of finding truth and closure through the path of creative inquiry.

Studio 180 Theatre is known for the acclaimed Canadian premieres of such seminal documentary theatre pieces as The Laramie Project, The Arab-Israeli Cookbook and Stuff Happens. We are excited to once again collaborate with filmmaker Moze Mossanen (Studio 180’s A Public Display of Affection film adaptation, You Are Here: a Come From Away Story, Unsung: Behind the Glee), in this film/documentary theatre hybrid, simultaneously creating the basis for a new theatrical work while supporting Mossanen’s documentary film exploration of the tragedy, its cost and the power of art to make sense of it all.

Interested school groups may even have the rare chance to participate in the
documentary film component of this exploration, too!

Recommended for grades 11 & 12
Content Advisory: Themes of tragic loss and grief. This work is in the very early stages of development and may ultimately include mature language.

It felt so personal and it was such an honour to experience a work-in-progress.

Grade 12 Drama student, Earl Haig Secondary School, TDSB

finding your voice workshops

Looking for an explicit focus on student writing and creation? Our popular Finding Your Voice workshops amplify student voice and offer a diverse range of theatre practices from which to choose. Flexible and adaptable to your class’s needs, our standard model includes three sessions culminating in the creation of a solo piece. Our process-oriented approach nurtures a brave, judgment-free space in which students can build trust and take creative risks. Teachers also love using this work to launch final assignments and performances!

Finding Your Voice workshops are customized for each class and grade level, recommended for students from grades 7 – 12.

Finding Your Voice: Identity, Culture & Community

In these empowering and uplifting sessions, students reflect on themes of culture and community, excavating their own responses and opening themselves up to the experiences of others. Through ensemble-building, improvisation activities and other innovative drama-based exercises, we collaborate to foster trust and nurture a brave space for creation and sharing.

My favourite part of the workshop was just the presence of the artist educators in general. They brought a positive energy to the classroom. They taught us how to dive deep into our identities and explore our individuality. I’m proud to have shared my DEEPLY personal monologue.

Grade 12 drama student, John Fraser Secondary School, Peel

Finding Your Voice: The Monologue

This skills-building workshop emphasizes self-discovery and personal storytelling through drama-based activities that promote confidence, foster empathy, and amplify student voice. Participants will play, reflect, and share as they engage in a variety of creative activations rooted in improvisation, ensemble-building, playwriting, and dramaturgy. A perfect way to introduce younger students to the dramatic form or to support senior students as they hone their craft.

Mark and Ngabo were fantastic and inspiring. They brought passion and competency to their instruction. And they honoured the lived experience and humanity of all students in the class.

Sharon Connelly, Drama Teacher, Mississauga Secondary School, Peel

Finding Your Voice: Devised Creation

NEW IN 2024/25! Drawing on students’ favourite activities from our Finding Your Voice series, we’ve developed a new three-session workshop with an emphasis on collaboration, improvisation, and physical exploration. Long-time Studio 180 team member and multidisciplinary theatre-maker Jenna Harris guides participants in a collective creation journey filled with joyful experimentation and risk-taking, culminating in the sharing of devised group pieces.

The way Jenna took us through the journey of us exploring ourselves was unique and fruitful. I opened up about my emotions which I don’t often do. I interacted with a lot more people in my own class and got to know them even more which I should’ve done a long time ago.

Grade 12 drama student, John Fraser Secondary School, Peel

Finding Your Voice: Spoken Word Poetry

Looking to ignite authentic self-discovery in your classroom? This workshop, helmed by multidisciplinary theatre artist Marcel Stewart, blends decolonial insights with rhyme, poetry, and spoken word. Together we will be empowered to reject conformity and embrace our unique, individual narratives. This workshop will nurture self-expression, challenge norms, and amplify confidence through discussions and hands-on activities that prompt student creation. Join us on this transformative journey.

Marcel made me feel comfortable and very involved. It felt like we were both teaching each other while having lovely conversations… I felt appreciated and listened to.

Grade 11 Drama student, St. Anne Catholic Academy, TCDSB

Junior Drama Workshops

With so many requests for drama-based programming for younger learners, we are pleased to expand our workshops to include students in grades four – six. Based on our popular Finding Your Voice model, customizable sessions cultivate a brave space in which to nurture drama, movement, voice, improvisation and writing skills, while building community, fostering empathy, encouraging self-reflection and inspiring creativity. Artist-educators specializing in arts education for junior learners lead these fun and active creation-based sessions with enthusiasm and care.

Andrew and Jessica were amazing teachers as well as artists – their energy and passion came through in all the activities they led, and the students responded really well! Some students who don’t usually participate as much in class really shone, which was lovely to see!

Isabel Stokes, Teacher, Downtown Vocal Music Academy, TDSB

Reclaiming Black Canadian History

In 2023/24 we launched a partnership with b current performing arts to deliver a new workshop that harnesses the creativity, curiosity and imagination of young people and guides them in researching Black Canadian historical figures and spaces through a dramatic lens. Based on the program’s tremendous success, we are thrilled to offer even more opportunities for young people to engage in this work. Led by some of Canada’s most acclaimed Black theatre artists, students will develop skills in research, creative writing, acting, and storytelling through the body and voice and create short theatrical pieces based on their learnings. This workshop can be spread over three separate engagements or booked as one full-day in-school fieldtrip. Perfect for BSAs as well as Drama and History classes!

Recommended for grades 7-12 

professional development

Workshops for Teachers

Having engaged with thousands of young people across diverse contexts, we are here to support educators in hands-on, participatory sessions where we share tools and techniques and foster a brave space for dialogue. Whether you are seeking support with online engagement, or the challenges of holding space for difficult conversations, our professional development workshops provide a supportive and empowering opportunity to learn, connect and share with artists and colleagues. All sessions include a pre- workshop participant survey and are custom designed to suit your needs.

How can teachers best support IN CLASS Artist Educators?

• Please direct all communication to Jessica Greenberg, Director of Youth and Community Engagement
• Your enthusiasm leading up to the first workshop session will be infectious. Please take some time in the days leading up to Session One to familiarize your students with Studio 180 Theatre and the Artist Educators.
• Your leadership during the class is essential. By modelling attentiveness and participation, you lead by example and empower the students to be brave and participatory. Being physically present in the circle or having your camera on during virtual sessions goes a long way to support both the students and guest artists.
• Most workshops are self-contained with very little preparation required on the part of teachers. In some cases, background resources will be shared a week prior to the first session. We appreciate you encouraging your students to engage with these materials before Session One.
• Most workshops include a creative writing component. Please make sure students are equipped with notebooks/paper and writing implements or tablets/laptops. Cell phones do not make good creative writing tools and we request that all phones be put away during performances and workshops
• We are constantly adapting and innovating our workshop models to meet student needs. Please designate time following the final session to have students complete our online Student Feedback Form. We also encourage teacher feedback to help us know what is working and where we can improve.