The AGO X RBC Emerging Artists Program presents a unique workshop for emerging artists, presented in partnership with The Second City, in response to this year’s theme of humor as a practice-based approach.  Join us to learn about storytelling and presentation from the best in the comedy and theatre industry. This workshop is designed for artists working across different mediums where they can experiment with improv techniques. In this classroom workshop, facilitators from The Second City and the AGO will coach participants on:

• Storytelling techniques and discovering your unique voice;

• Sharing tools and tips on developing your presence or performance, whether on stage, in your work or your artist statement; 

• Learn about structuring your story and expressing yourself outside of your comfort zone!

Facilitators will encourage a safe space for pitching new ideas, being vulnerable, sharing with peers tools and skills that can further artistic careers. 

Spaces for this workshop are limited to 40 participants; registration fee is $30.00 CDN. 

Shari Hollett, workshop facilitator, will be joined by Danah Abusido, Curatorial Associate of Projects and Partnerships and Paola Poletto, Director of Engagement & Learning at the AGO.

Shari Hollett has been designing and facilitating workshops for SCW for over 20 years. She is an active part of the Toronto theatre community as an accomplished director, writer and performer. An alumnus of The Second City she wrote and performed in five original revues. Second City directing credits include Hogtown Fever, If it’s Tuesday this must be Belleville (Second City National Touring Company), The Dysfunctional Holiday Revue, and the award winning Michigan Impossible (Second City Detroit) Selected TV appearances include Stir of Echoes 2,The West Wing, Wild Card, Guilt by Association, Walter and Henry, Blue Murder, The Dan Jansen Story, and SCTV. Shari specializes in dramaturging and directing original works, including a National tour of Chris Earle’s award-winning playRadio:30 which also played in New York and was part of the HBO Comedy Festival in Aspen. Shari specializes in teaching improvisation, storytelling and presentation skills. She is a faculty member at The Second City, Humber College, and Centennial College. She is also a frequent guest artist for both the Etobicoke School for the Arts, and The Cawthra School for the Arts. Onscreen she has written and directed many comedy videos and the comedy thriller-short Gotcha which won an award of excellence for directing.

The AGO’s definition of an emerging artist is an artist at beginning of their artistic career and might be a recent graduate of a formalized training program. They have begun to receive some recognition but are not yet well-known for their work. They have produced an independent body of work of modest size and are looking for opportunities of growth and professional development.

To learn more about the AGO x RBC Emerging Artists Program, visit https://ago.ca/emerging-artists-program