Kids Ruby Scarlet
Calling all actors to the studio! To the callback! To set! It’s time to get ready for your big break, because it can come at any time, on any set, in any role, no matter the size. This term you’re called back every week, with the ultimate LeBlanc challenge: tackle eight different role categories and the techniques needed to break down obstacles and soar through any performance that comes your way—from leading the story to supporting as a small principal. It’s a term like no other!
Casting call! Audition notice! Actors needed! Any of these sound familiar? These words are exciting, because it means a big breakdown is coming … with roles of every size and sparkle! And any of them could be the role that leads to a BIG BREAK.
Your “big break” might look different than someone else’s. It might be a role that opens up a whole new side of emotions and feelings you didn’t know you had. Perhaps it’s a role that catapults you into a work schedule that doubles in size. Or a role that takes you to a different city! Heck, it could be a role that leads to festivals, and even award nominations, or shine on screens throughout the world! While it might be unique for everyone, the reality is your big break is rarely predictable. That’s just not how acting—or life—works! And here’s a secret: it might be a role you landed that you thought was an “intro” gig. These opportunities can come at any time, and we want you to not just dream about your big break, but start preparing for it!
This term you’re called to class every week, with the ultimate LeBlanc challenge: tackle eight different role categories and the techniques needed to break down obstacles and soar through any performance that comes your way—from leading the story to supporting as a small principal. It’s a term where all roles are important, and every opportunity has the potential to lead you somewhere where big dreams really do come true.
Call sheet’s up, so let’s get into it!
Schedule has not been released yet.
WEEK 1: BACKGROUND: Brilliantly Blending
WEEK 2: ACTOR ROLE: Moving Things Along
WEEK 3: SMALL PRINCIPAL: It’s A LOT!
HOLIDAY CLOSURE
WEEK 4: LARGE PRINCIPAL: The Victim
WEEK 5: SUPPORTING LEAD: Constantly Connecting
WEEK 6: GUEST STAR ROLE: Real Relationships
WEEK 7: RECURRING: The Flashback
WEEK 8: LEAD ROLE: The Hero’s Journey
We are our students' biggest fans; we love seeing them perform and use their skills. At L.S.A., we tell our students that taking videos and pictures of yourself in performance or while practicing is a great tool to go back and reflect on your abilities. However, we hold a strong stance on maintaining a respectful environment, and to that end, no recording of full classes is permitted at LeBlanc.
Parents may only record their child during class when it is their turn to perform, and they hear the word "Action!" and stop when they hear the word "Cut!". Feedback and instruction are not to be filmed and shared.
Our school is built on our unique approach to teaching, and many of the techniques we share in class are exclusive to LeBlanc. We believe that all our students learn in a safe, comfortable, and engaging way. By doing so, our students have an atmosphere for optimal learning and skill retention!
Although we all know you are online learning professionals at this point, we just want to make sure everyone is in the loop with our key virtual acting class etiquette:
Our class time is valuable, and we want to make sure our students have conducive learning environments and are ready when the clock strikes. To ensure our students have the best experience possible, LeBlanc School of Acting has a strict 'Late Policy'.
Our Late Policy means that if you are more than 10 minutes late, you will unfortunately not be allowed to participate in class and will not be let in from the Zoom waiting room.
At LeBlanc, we work hard to create exciting class plans coordinated to class time. By being late, our students lose out on key elements and education while disrupting the class flow and learning of others.
Our team is always open to working with unexpected schedule changes or appointments; they just need to be made aware ahead of time. If your child will be late, please email admin@leblancschool.com to let us know in advance.
WEEK 8: LEAD ROLE: The Hero’s Journey
Strong emotional shifts as you carry the story.
It’s Performance Week!
This week, you’ll be performing a scene audition-style. Read on for required prep and your script.
Casting Notice! Seeking actors who have crushed and astounded throughout eight epic weeks of technique, and know how to break down and prepare for any category of role!
OH LOOK, IT’S YOU!
We could not be more proud of how far you’ve come, LeBlancers. With eight weeks of thoughtful, technical, and fun breakdowns, you have truly gone on a journey. And now it’s time for the final journey of our term, as we tackle the heroes of the story. It’s time for a LEAD ROLE!
ROLE: LEAD
PURPOSE: carry the story, shape the adventure, and lead the audience through the character’s emotional journey
A Lead Actor is the face of the story, and these roles carry weight. With a lead role, the emotional transition and arc is essential. Actors must demonstrate the ability to believably convey strong emotional shifts, interpret the script in justified and creative ways, and invest in bringing this character to life so that the audience roots for them: the story, after all, is usually all about your character! These characters go through a whirlwind of adventure (literal and emotional), and a lead actor has to take care of their character. This means mastering the art of a major emotional shift that carries the biggest weight possible, in the emotional crux (highest stakes moment) of the story. That means taking big swings and being bold as you magically weave technique with a sense of rawness and relatability, keeping the audience invested in you right until the end.
We know you’re ready to break down this highly coveted role, LeBlancers, so let’s put everything we’ve learned this term and come to class with the gusto to finish strong. Way to go, LeBlancers—you’re ready for your big break!
In addition to exploring the technique, you’ll perform the attached script audition-style.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR PERFORMANCE WEEK:
Printing out the script 10 minutes before class is not enough. In order to get the most out of class, please follow the following notes. Preparing for performance week includes some essential components:
1) Learning your lines. You should be comfortable (ideally off-script / memorized) with all of the dialogue;
2) Blocking scene action in a non-distracting, simple way for the camera;
3) Understanding what is happening in the scene, who your character is, and what they want most of all;
4) Dressing to suggest with smart wardrobe choices; and
5) If possible, incorporating all of the techniques you explored throughout Weeks 1-8.
Performance week should be treated the same as an audition. It is unacceptable to be unprepared for performance week.
Click here for script
Group A
Teacher:
Students:
Time: 4:00pm - 5:30pm PDT, Saturday
Meeting ID: 893 9330 1680
Passcode: 149021
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89393301680?pwd=qmAxnvV0czfbPFt0kM2wEHLacc574Z.1
Group B
Teacher:
Students:
Time: 5:45pm - 7:15pm PDT, Saturday
Meeting ID: 881 3026 5624
Passcode: 130882
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88130265624?pwd=fK7wURMVqrmbSuEqdPxoQKtlAT4amQ.1
WEEK 7: RECURRING: The Flashback
Visualization, emotional expression, and scenes that stun.
Audition Call! Read the breakdown! We need an actor to fill a highly desirable—and incredibly specific—role! Is it YOU? Let’s discover what it means to be recurring on a television series.
ROLE: RECURRING
PURPOSE: appear in multiple episodes, possibly over multiple seasons, and have major story points
It’s a role many, many, actors dream of, and recurring roles offer an opportunity to return to set throughout the season (or seasons!) and continue to live the character’s life over multiple episodes. With the added screen time comes added expectations: understanding the character from a writer, actor, and director point of view, making strong choices that feel fresh, memorizing on-the-spot line changes while maintaining the emotional core of the character, and generally acting like a professional member of the cast family. This week, we are going to explore one of the major kinds of recurring roles that appear on network television: the younger lead in flashbacks.
When you’re cast as the younger version of the lead character, it’s thrilling! Not only do you get to bring iconic characters to life, but you also develop one of the most technical skillsets out there: matching mannerisms and story continuity. Remember, the lead is already cast, and it is your job to bring elements that they have already brought to the character into your role, while also leaving a mark all your own. And many times, younger versions in flashbacks are cast in highly visual scenes, so we must learn how to tell the story with our body language, character mannerisms, and interpret the breakdown we’re given. Remember, in these instances, the character’s personality is already set, so you have to interpret the breakdown correctly and bring everything you’ve got!
Karis Musongole and Cesily Collette Taylo balanced their own creativity with the mannerisms already set by Cynthia Erivo and Marissa Bode for the roles of Elphaba and Nessarose in Wicked.
Let’s take a look at a full character breakdown in class, and learn how to properly (and technically) interpret it, so you can stun in your scenes! Bring your thinking caps to class!
Group A
Teacher:
Students:
Time: 4:00pm - 5:30pm PDT, Saturday
Meeting ID: 893 9330 1680
Passcode: 149021
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89393301680?pwd=qmAxnvV0czfbPFt0kM2wEHLacc574Z.1
Group B
Teacher:
Students:
Time: 5:45pm - 7:15pm PDT, Saturday
Meeting ID: 881 3026 5624
Passcode: 130882
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88130265624?pwd=fK7wURMVqrmbSuEqdPxoQKtlAT4amQ.1
WEEK 6: GUEST STAR ROLE: Real Relationships
It’s time to break down the backstory.
We’ve reached Week 6 of the term, and while your big break may come from one of the electrifying roles we’ve already explored, it also may stem from a role that has you coming in for one episode of a long-running series, and in a big way. We’re exploring the riveting world of the guest star!
ROLE: GUEST STAR
PURPOSE: although not a part of the main cast, heavily contribute to the story as a centred character, leaving a meaningful impact on the other characters and the audience
The role of Guest Star sometimes seems confusing, as it can be cast with a relatively unknown actor, or a celebrity making a cameo appearance. Whoever is acting in this role, a guest star usually appears in one episode (sometimes more), with a major storyline. This storyline often affects the characters in the main cast, and leaves a lasting impression on the audience.
Guest stars will have their own emotional arc, and because of this, actors have to dive deep into technique to understand their relationships: who they are and how they feel about the situation at hand. An actor must come to set prepared, with a fully crafted backstory and emotional life filled in for their character. A guest star role cannot be neutral or general. An actor, even a young performer, must have put in the work to answer key questions regarding their character’s backstory. And this week, we’ll be doing just that!
Nick Offerman guest starred as Bill in episode 3 of The Last Of Us, and won an Emmy!
Get ready to craft real relationships to make these roles POP, LeBlancers!
Group A
Teacher:
Students:
Time: 4:00pm - 5:30pm PST, Saturday
Meeting ID: 893 9330 1680
Passcode: 149021
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89393301680?pwd=qmAxnvV0czfbPFt0kM2wEHLacc574Z.1
Group B
Teacher:
Students:
Time: 5:45pm - 7:15pm PST, Saturday
Meeting ID: 881 3026 5624
Passcode: 130882
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88130265624?pwd=fK7wURMVqrmbSuEqdPxoQKtlAT4amQ.1
WEEK 5: SUPPORTING LEAD: Constantly Connecting
Build quick connections strong enough to support the story
Welcome back from the break, LeBlancers! We hope you had some much needed rest and rejuvenation, because the casting call is posted, and this role is much more demanding. Your big break is coming … and perhaps it’s in a supporting lead role!
ROLE: SUPPORTING LEAD
PURPOSE: support the story by contributing significantly to the plot, while living their own emotional journey
A Supporting Lead is major. Not only do these roles contribute significantly to the plot by being in multiple scenes with the lead actors and actively participating in the story’s events, they are fully fleshed out people who are deeply connected to others in the world. Supporting leads can be siblings, close friends, children, coworkers, or even romantic interests of the lead actors. Whatever role they play in the lead actor’s life (and surrounding characters, too), a supporting actor also has their own rich inner life, and emotional arc to live through as the events unfold.
In order to perform these roles, actors must constantly be connecting to a variety of scene partners by listening, accepting offers from other actors, working as a team in the scene … oftentimes with NO time to prepare. Supporting leads must convince the audience that they have been best friends with the lead for years, or have a deep emotional connection that the audience can invest in and believe. The demands of supporting lead roles can feel incredibly overwhelming, and actors must be willing to put themselves out there emotionally. You have to look your scene partners right in the eye, and connect, LeBlancers, even if you have known them for less than an hour! So this week, we are putting that to the test. In fact, it’s another week with a script, which you’ll explore in class.
Supporting characters are pivotal for a lead character’s emotional growth, like Noodle in Wonka.
Let’s constantly connect this week, and support each other for Week 5!
Group A
Teacher:
Students:
Time: 4:00pm - 5:30pm PST, Saturday
Meeting ID: 893 9330 1680
Passcode: 149021
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89393301680?pwd=qmAxnvV0czfbPFt0kM2wEHLacc574Z.1
Group B
Teacher:
Students:
Time: 5:45pm - 7:15pm PST, Saturday
Meeting ID: 881 3026 5624
Passcode: 130882
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88130265624?pwd=fK7wURMVqrmbSuEqdPxoQKtlAT4amQ.1
WEEK 4: LARGE PRINCIPAL: The Victim
Intensity and vulnerability make these moments land.
It’s Performance Week!
This week, you’ll be performing a scene audition-style. Read on for required prep and your script.
We’ve broken down three weeks of exciting roles so far, and we can’t believe we are already halfway through the term. Where does the time go?! The breakdown is up for Week 4, and it is a doozy. Let’s see what we’re called for, LeBlancers, with a large principal role!
ROLE: LARGE PRINCIPAL
PURPOSE: fundamentally contribute to the plot and story, with a big emotional investment
Just like small principals, Large Principal roles provide some big roles to chew on, in addition to demanding top-notch on-set etiquette. With a large principal role, actors will often find themselves in scenes with emotional intensity, the need for vulnerability, and high stakes. Large principals can deliver key exposition (plot points), sometimes in speeches or monologues, and even though they may only appear in a few scenes, the audience meets them in the middle of their life, which means actors must tap into emotions right off the top. This week, we are asking you to explore scripts with high emotions, and bring out some serious vulnerability in a crime procedural script.
In addition to exploring the technique, you’ll perform the attached script audition-style. Read on for LeBlanc’s expectations for how to appropriately prepare for class, and let’s tackle large principal roles together!
HOW TO PREPARE FOR PERFORMANCE WEEK:
Printing out the script 10 minutes before class is not enough. In order to get the most out of class, please follow the following notes. Preparing for performance week includes some essential components:
1) Learning your lines. You should be comfortable (ideally off-script / memorized) with all of the dialogue;
2) Blocking scene action in a non-distracting, simple way for the camera;
3) Understanding what is happening in the scene, who your character is, and what they want most of all;
4) Dressing to suggest with smart wardrobe choices; and
5) If possible, incorporating all of the techniques you explored throughout Weeks 1-4.
Performance week should be treated the same as an audition. It is unacceptable to be unprepared for performance week.
Click here for script
Group A
Teacher:
Students:
Time: 4:00pm - 5:30pm PST, Saturday
Meeting ID: 893 9330 1680
Passcode: 149021
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89393301680?pwd=qmAxnvV0czfbPFt0kM2wEHLacc574Z.1
Group B
Teacher:
Students:
Time: 5:45pm - 7:15pm PST, Saturday
Meeting ID: 881 3026 5624
Passcode: 130882
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88130265624?pwd=fK7wURMVqrmbSuEqdPxoQKtlAT4amQ.1
WEEK 3: SMALL PRINCIPAL: It’s A LOT!
A lot of material and an increase in expectations.
We’ve made it to the third week of the term, and this class is all about a role category that comes with a shift in emotions, as the expectations start to rise. When most young actors think of their “first big booking”, it’s often a role within this category. The dialogue is longer, the roles might be meatier, but more importantly, the expectations on set are greater. In short, it can feel like a lot! So let’s learn how to master these creatively crafted small principal roles.
ROLE: SMALL PRINCIPAL
PURPOSE: move the story forward with a creatively crafted character
When you’ve landed a Small Principal role or audition, you’ll notice that a lot more is being asked of you. This is both in terms of technique and perhaps the creative demands of the part, but you’ll also find that a lot is asked of you and your etiquette on set. And these moments are the ones that can feel overwhelming! We’re talking about major moments before the cameras start rolling, where you might be involved in conversations about the scene with the director, other actors, or other creatives. These moments can feel exciting, but also scary. After all, hundreds of people are on set, waiting for you! But don’t you worry LeBlancers, we’ve got you covered!
In these “off-camera” moments, you are expected to act professional, control your nerves, and keep your cool, as you encounter big things you need to navigate. So this class we will be specifically addressing how you remain cool as a cucumber and positively professional, so that everyone on set knows that YOU understood the assignment.
Small Principal roles can often be filled with bundles of creativity, making the most of their screen time. Think of all the animals and creatures in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, or the elves in Elf!
This week may feel like A LOT, but we’re ready! See you in class!
Group A
Teacher: Carolyn Yonge
Students: Amelia Britz, Hiero Lima Santos, Isla Agard, Josiah Deale, Melaya Westmaas, Nathaniel Westmaas, Noah Leach, Paxton Mehlman, Ryan Puterman, Samira Codinha
Time: 4:00pm - 5:30pm PST, Saturday
Meeting ID: 893 9330 1680
Passcode: 149021
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89393301680?pwd=qmAxnvV0czfbPFt0kM2wEHLacc574Z.1
Group B
Teacher: Carolyn Yonge
Students: Áedán Edwards, Alycia Stafford, Nina Woods, Wade Soldini, Willow Hutchison
Time: 5:45pm - 7:15pm PST, Saturday
Meeting ID: 881 3026 5624
Passcode: 130882
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88130265624?pwd=fK7wURMVqrmbSuEqdPxoQKtlAT4amQ.1
WEEK 2: ACTOR ROLE: Moving Things Along
We like to move it, move it … and help the story go forward!
You’re called back to class and this week, we’re breaking down a very common role in the industry that every actor needs to understand … no pun intended! Check out the breakdown, and you’ll find:
ROLE: ACTOR
PURPOSE: move the story forward and help the lead actors move toward their goal
An Actor role may sound confusing, because you might be thinking: “Now wait a minute. Aren’t all roles actor roles?” In this context, not quite. An actor role in SAG-AFTRA and ACTA terms is a role with 1-5 speaking lines. These roles help push the plot forward, oftentimes helping the lead actor overcome a hurtle, discover an emotional revelation, or support them as they save the day. These roles, while they may feel small on the page, have a big impact. And if they weren’t needed … well, then they wouldn’t have been written into the story!
In order to rock an actor role, you must find the balance between acting natural, supporting and not pulling focus from the lead, while also adding your own sparkle. You can do a lot with only a line or two, but you must respect what is on the page and perform things as they are written. Smart choices are the secret, and this week, we are going to find out just how impactful an actor role can be!
Vancouver’s own Jill Morrison rocked the role of “Crying Girl” in Mean Girls so sensationally, it’s now eternally iconic. And she only had two lines!
Let’s get ready to move the plot along, actors! Week 2, we’re ready to rock!
Group A
Teacher: June Laporte
Students: Amelia Britz, Hiero Lima Santos, Josiah Deale, Melaya Westmaas, Nathaniel Westmaas, Noah Leach, Paxton Mehlman, Ryan Puterman, Samira Codinha
Time: 4:00pm - 5:30pm PST, Saturday
Meeting ID: 893 9330 1680
Passcode: 149021
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89393301680?pwd=qmAxnvV0czfbPFt0kM2wEHLacc574Z.1
Group B
Teacher: June Laporte
Students: Áedán Edwards, Alycia Stafford, Nina Woods, Wade Soldini, Willow Hutchison
Time: 5:45pm - 7:15pm PST, Saturday
Meeting ID: 881 3026 5624
Passcode: 130882
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88130265624?pwd=fK7wURMVqrmbSuEqdPxoQKtlAT4amQ.1
WEEK 1: BACKGROUND: Brilliantly Blending
This week we are blending in, so that we can stand out!
Welcome to your first week of the term, LeBlancers! We hope you’re ready for an epic eight weeks of breaking down characters, roles, and preparing for your big break! For our first week, we’ll be exploring the exciting world of background actors, and the need to blend into the scene.
ROLE: BACKGROUND
PURPOSE: provide atmosphere, ambiance (mood), and fill in the world of the story
A Background Actor, commonly referred to as extras or atmosphere actors, are essential in film and television. They provide the visual life to the story, and while these roles may not come with verbal lines, they do come with much needed movement, action, and authentic expressions/reactions in order to make the scene come alive. And the key to being “brilliant BG” is to finesse the art of brilliantly blending.
Blending into a scene means acting naturally without pulling focus or attention. Background must live in the story without the ego of being noticed. And here’s something many young actors forget: even leads can be background in some scenes! They might be sitting in the classroom, marching in a holiday parade, or witnessing an action. So this week, we are exploring the technique of brilliantly blending into the background, fighting the urge to “get noticed”, and acting naturally, so we can leave a great impression on the rest of the cast and crew as we bring the scene—and full story—to life!
Did you know the legendary Viola Davis’ first screen job was a non-speaking nurse in The Substance of Fire?
Get ready for a week of fun and imaginative acting exercises as we explore how to brilliantly blend!
Group A
Teacher: Marie V. Sharp
Students: Amelia Britz, Hiero Lima Santos, Josiah Deale, Melaya Westmaas, Nathaniel Westmaas, Noah Leach, Paxton Mehlman, Ryan Puterman, Samira Codinha
Time: 4:00pm - 5:30pm PST, Saturday
Meeting ID: 893 9330 1680
Passcode: 149021
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89393301680?pwd=qmAxnvV0czfbPFt0kM2wEHLacc574Z.1
Group B
Teacher: Marie V. Sharp
Students: Áedán Edwards, Wade Soldini, Willow Hutchison
Time: 5:45pm - 7:15pm PST, Saturday
Meeting ID: 881 3026 5624
Passcode: 130882
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88130265624?pwd=fK7wURMVqrmbSuEqdPxoQKtlAT4amQ.1
HOLIDAY CLOSURE:
Ever heard the phrase, “Wanna book a big role? Book a vacation.” This time, you don’t need to book anything, because we’re giving you a week off as we take a mid-term break! Our Canadian team is observing the statutory holiday, and our offices will be closed from Monday, February 10th - Monday, February 18th, inclusive. No classes will run and correspondence may be limited.
A new call sheet with an exciting new role breakdown will be up for you when we return to class on Tuesday, February 19th.
Enjoy the break!