Arts opportunity

Shaking it Up: Improvising Shakespeare 

Shakespeare is hilarious. His plays are packed with sharp wit, clever wordplay, and some of the best sex jokes in history. He made poetry sound natural, which is why he’s still the most famous playwright in the world.

If you do improv, you’re going to run into Shakespeare scenes—a lot. This workshop is all about making them fun, easy, and believable. You’ll learn how to decode the language, find the rhythm, and bring out the comedy, so your Shakespearean improv scenes feel effortless and engaging.

Taught by Mat Mailandt, a trained theatre actor and professional comedian (Hamlet: Improvised (2012), Macbeth: Improvised (2025), Second City Faculty, this two-hour session will break down Shakespeare’s tricks and give you practical tools to confidently play in his style.

​Come ready to shake things up, experiment, and have fun with the Bard!

• Dates: June 4, 2025 from 7 - 9 pm 

• Location:  Grindstone Studio (9562 82 Ave NW) 

• Instructor: Mat Mailandt 

• Prerequisite:  Intermediate or Advanced Improvisers 

• Showcase:  There is no showcase for this class 

• Cost:  $150 (there is no early bird for this workshop) 

Application Deadline July 9, 2025

Program Dates Jan 5, 2026 - Jan 30, 2026

Overview

The Audio Recording Engineer professional training program is a continuing education opportunity designed for emerging recording engineers with mature artistic insight, advanced practical skills, and either significant professional experience or a high level of professional training. Learning objectives have been integrated into artistic residency programs, inviting exciting opportunities for collaboration and connection in this redeveloped applied-learning program.

Participants will receive mentorship from experienced professionals, enhancing their technical abilities and learning about new equipment, software, and recording techniques while supporting selected musicians in the Banff Musicians in Residence (BMiR) 2026 program and the diverse recording needs of Banff Centre.

Description

Emerging Audio Engineers from around the world are invited to participate in our program to expand their technical proficiency, nurture creativity, and elevate their recording abilities in diverse genres of music. Successful applicants will benefit from: 

• Mentorship by international faculty, staff producers, engineers, and technologists.
• Experience recording live concerts in classical, jazz, world music, and contemporary genres, dependent on the repertoire of accepted musicians.
• Developing communication skills and interactive strategies to engage with musicians for an optimal recording experience.
• Gaining experience in studio recording sessions with diverse repertoire.
• A deepened knowledge of industry trends and best practices.
• Networking opportunities with other audio engineers, professional musicians, artists in other disciplines, and invited guests.
• Access to professionally equipped studio spaces.
• Materials/assets for professional portfolio.

Requirements 

Applicants should have a combination of formal training and/or professional experience or aptitude in audio engineering. Required skills include:

• A working knowledge of Pyramix, and ProTools is desirable.
• A practical understanding of file creation and management.
• Ability to participate collaboratively and thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Applicants should be able to manage resources, produce to schedule, and multitask effectively with strong time management, diplomacy, and communication skills. 

Please note, Banff Centre Professional training programs are instructed in English. 

• 100% scholarship covers tuition fees. Additionally, a 50% scholarship offsets meals and accommodation costs

Apply Now

Dates: Jun 26, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025
Total of 6 sessions
Starts Jun 26
Cost: $477
Location: Orange Hub Black Box Theatre (10045 156 St, NW Edmonton)

In this class, you’ll learn the basic structure of a short joke, how it works, and how you can write your own. Next, you’ll learn how that very same structure is applied to long-form jokes and comedic storytelling. This class is a good blend of the theoretical (how to write for stand-up), and the practical (how to perform it).

www.grindstonetheatre.ca/service-page/stand-up-101b