Our Workshops

Our workshops, led by some of North America’s finest backstage theatre artists, bring you behind the scenes to learn how to construct and paint impressive sets; build props ranging from faux food to flicker candles; create breath-taking masks, scenic art drops and special effects makeup—and more! These opportunities are intensive and hands-on, conducted in a working studio with one-on-one mentorship from our artist instructors.

Explore our current workshop offerings below to see what interests you!

View Workshop Listings

Workshop Listings

Summer 2025

Theatrical Production Arts Certificate – Summer 2025
$2,600.00
The Theatre Production Arts Certificate was created to encourage students to become knowledgeable in many facets of the theatre production world. To complete this program, participants take five one-week courses during our summer 2025 program. For more information, click here.

See below for the list of eligible summer courses. You will choose your five courses during checkout.

Select options
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00
June 17-20, 2025 Instructor: Clarke Ellis

This is an Intro course to artistic welding. You will learn the basic skills of artistic welding, encouraging students to leave with the knowledge and confidence to expand their creativity further outside the classroom.

Select options
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00
June 24-27, 2025 Instructor: Clarke Ellis

This is an Intro course to artistic welding. You will learn the basic skills of artistic welding, encouraging students to leave with the knowledge and confidence to expand their creativity further outside the classroom.

Select options
Theatrical Carpentry
$650.00
Instructor: Eric Tulp | Dates: July 7-11, 2025

Strong theatrical carpentry skills are essential to creating sets and props that capture the theatregoer’s imagination.

Select options
Costume Design Workshop
$650.00
July 14-18, 2025 | Instructor: Michelle Bohn

Gain an understanding of the principles of design and learn how costume defines and supports character during this intensive, one-week introductory course.

Select options
Set Design Workshop
$650.00
Instructor: TBD | July 21-25, 2025

Set Design is a practical course for those with limited experience in theatrical design.

Select options
Mask Making Workshop
$675.00
July 28-August 1, 2025 Instructor: Ken Dubblestyne

Learn to sculpt, construct and decorate theatrical masks using a variety of materials to create fantastical stage beings.

Select options
Stage Makeup & Gore Galore
$350.00
Instructor: Georgia Steel | August 5-6, 2025

This intensive workshop will equip you with the skills and knowledge to create a wide range of makeup looks, from everyday stage makeup to realistic special effects such as gore and special FX techniques.

Select options
Specialty Makeup
$350.00
Instructor: Georgia Steel | August 7-8, 2025

Dive headfirst into the captivating world of specialty makeup! This immersive workshop offers hands-on experience with a wide range of techniques and materials, empowering you to transform any face or body into a work of art.

Select options
Makeup Intensives
$650.00
Instructor: Georgia Steel | August 5-8, 2025

Two, two-day makeup intensives feature Stage and Special Effects and Specialty Makeup options. Workshops are $350 each or $650 for both.

Select options
Scenic Painting Workshop
$675.00
Instructor: Thomas Lappano | Dates: August 11-15, 2025

Discover techniques and methods used by generations of theatrical scenic artists during this one-week intensive course.

Select options
Scenic Art Drops & Murals
$675.00
Instructor: Thomas Lappano | Dates: August 18-22

Create a large-scale theatrical drop, taking a design image from the page to the stage – from layout to a painted drop.

Select options
Millinery The Art of Hat Making
$675.00
August 18-22, 2025 Instructor: Monica Viani

Explore the process of analyzing, designing, patterning and building your own unique hat shape!

Select options
Prop Making Workshop
$650.00
2025 Instructor: Deb Erb & Matthew Burgess | Dates: August 25-29, 2025

Explore the creative processes of prop building during this intensive, one-week course. Discover how to start from a drawing or image and progress to a completed object using different materials, techniques and methodology.

Select options
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00
September 2-5, 2025 Instructor: Clarke Ellis

This is an Intro course to artistic welding. You will learn the basic skills of artistic welding, encouraging students to leave with the knowledge and confidence to expand their creativity further outside the classroom.

Select options
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00
September 8-11, 2025 Instructor: Clarke Ellis

This is an Intro course to artistic welding. You will learn the basic skills of artistic welding, encouraging students to leave with the knowledge and confidence to expand their creativity further outside the classroom.

Select options

Theatrical Production Arts Certificate – Summer 2025
$2,600.00
The Theatre Production Arts Certificate was created to encourage students to become knowledgeable in many facets of the theatre production world. To complete this program, participants take five one-week courses during our summer 2025 program. For more information, click here.

See below for the list of eligible summer courses. You will choose your five courses during checkout.

Select options
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00
June 17-20, 2025 Instructor: Clarke Ellis

This is an Intro course to artistic welding. You will learn the basic skills of artistic welding, encouraging students to leave with the knowledge and confidence to expand their creativity further outside the classroom.

Select options
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00
June 24-27, 2025 Instructor: Clarke Ellis

This is an Intro course to artistic welding. You will learn the basic skills of artistic welding, encouraging students to leave with the knowledge and confidence to expand their creativity further outside the classroom.

Select options
Theatrical Carpentry
$650.00
Instructor: Eric Tulp | Dates: July 7-11, 2025

Strong theatrical carpentry skills are essential to creating sets and props that capture the theatregoer’s imagination.

Select options
Costume Design Workshop
$650.00
July 14-18, 2025 | Instructor: Michelle Bohn

Gain an understanding of the principles of design and learn how costume defines and supports character during this intensive, one-week introductory course.

Select options
Set Design Workshop
$650.00
Instructor: TBD | July 21-25, 2025

Set Design is a practical course for those with limited experience in theatrical design.

Select options
Mask Making Workshop
$675.00
July 28-August 1, 2025 Instructor: Ken Dubblestyne

Learn to sculpt, construct and decorate theatrical masks using a variety of materials to create fantastical stage beings.

Select options
Stage Makeup & Gore Galore
$350.00
Instructor: Georgia Steel | August 5-6, 2025

This intensive workshop will equip you with the skills and knowledge to create a wide range of makeup looks, from everyday stage makeup to realistic special effects such as gore and special FX techniques.

Select options
Specialty Makeup
$350.00
Instructor: Georgia Steel | August 7-8, 2025

Dive headfirst into the captivating world of specialty makeup! This immersive workshop offers hands-on experience with a wide range of techniques and materials, empowering you to transform any face or body into a work of art.

Select options
Makeup Intensives
$650.00
Instructor: Georgia Steel | August 5-8, 2025

Two, two-day makeup intensives feature Stage and Special Effects and Specialty Makeup options. Workshops are $350 each or $650 for both.

Select options
Scenic Painting Workshop
$675.00
Instructor: Thomas Lappano | Dates: August 11-15, 2025

Discover techniques and methods used by generations of theatrical scenic artists during this one-week intensive course.

Select options
Scenic Art Drops & Murals
$675.00
Instructor: Thomas Lappano | Dates: August 18-22

Create a large-scale theatrical drop, taking a design image from the page to the stage – from layout to a painted drop.

Select options
Millinery The Art of Hat Making
$675.00
August 18-22, 2025 Instructor: Monica Viani

Explore the process of analyzing, designing, patterning and building your own unique hat shape!

Select options
Prop Making Workshop
$650.00
2025 Instructor: Deb Erb & Matthew Burgess | Dates: August 25-29, 2025

Explore the creative processes of prop building during this intensive, one-week course. Discover how to start from a drawing or image and progress to a completed object using different materials, techniques and methodology.

Select options
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00
September 2-5, 2025 Instructor: Clarke Ellis

This is an Intro course to artistic welding. You will learn the basic skills of artistic welding, encouraging students to leave with the knowledge and confidence to expand their creativity further outside the classroom.

Select options
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00
September 8-11, 2025 Instructor: Clarke Ellis

This is an Intro course to artistic welding. You will learn the basic skills of artistic welding, encouraging students to leave with the knowledge and confidence to expand their creativity further outside the classroom.

Select options

Winter 2025

Stay tuned for upcoming workshop listings for this season.

Pattern Drafting Workshop
$650.00
Instructor: Lela Stairs | Dates: January 11-12 & 18-19, 2025 (9am-4pm)

Participants learn how to interpret a two-dimensional design and render it into a three-dimensional costume pattern in this double-weekend workshop.

Join Waitlist
Theatrical Jewelry Workshop
$350.00
Instructor: Tami MacDonald | Date: Feb. 15-16, 2025 (9am-5pm)

A rare gem, this introductory workshop takes you through the process of theatrical jewelry making.

Join Waitlist
Wig Making Workshop
$675.00
Four Consecutive Days: March 17-20, 2025 (9am-4pm) Instructor: Sharon Ryman

In this popular four-day workshop, learn the basics of wig creation, modification and dressing.

Select options
Art Direction Workshop
$350.00
Instructors: Glen Landry | March 22-23, 2025 (9am-5pm)

In this introductory weekend workshop, participants gain insight into the visual world of film and theatre and learn how Art Direction sets the tone, mood and character definition in fictional space.

Join Waitlist
Wig Making Workshop Session 2
$675.00
Four Consecutive Days: April 7 – 10, 2025 (9am-4pm) Instructor: Sharon Ryman

In this popular four-day workshop, learn the basics of wig creation, modification and dressing.

Select options

Pattern Drafting Workshop
$650.00
Instructor: Lela Stairs | Dates: January 11-12 & 18-19, 2025 (9am-4pm)

Participants learn how to interpret a two-dimensional design and render it into a three-dimensional costume pattern in this double-weekend workshop.

Join Waitlist
Theatrical Jewelry Workshop
$350.00
Instructor: Tami MacDonald | Date: Feb. 15-16, 2025 (9am-5pm)

A rare gem, this introductory workshop takes you through the process of theatrical jewelry making.

Join Waitlist
Wig Making Workshop
$675.00
Four Consecutive Days: March 17-20, 2025 (9am-4pm) Instructor: Sharon Ryman

In this popular four-day workshop, learn the basics of wig creation, modification and dressing.

Select options
Art Direction Workshop
$350.00
Instructors: Glen Landry | March 22-23, 2025 (9am-5pm)

In this introductory weekend workshop, participants gain insight into the visual world of film and theatre and learn how Art Direction sets the tone, mood and character definition in fictional space.

Join Waitlist
Wig Making Workshop Session 2
$675.00
Four Consecutive Days: April 7 – 10, 2025 (9am-4pm) Instructor: Sharon Ryman

In this popular four-day workshop, learn the basics of wig creation, modification and dressing.

Select options

Join the Workshop Waitlist

If the workshop you want to take is at full capacity, don’t fret! You can join our waitlist to be the first to know if space opens up in a current workshop, as well as when new sessions are released.

Join Waitlist

Off the Wall’s Impact

I came to OTW because the theatre I volunteer at decided to send me here as kind of a thank you for the work I’ve done. Coming to OTW has been completely life-changing for me. I’m going to pursue a career in the prop-building world. I believe I’m supposed to.

MATTHEW BURGESS

Theatre Production Arts 2017; Currently Stratford Festival Prop Builder

I learned something new every year. There’s such a variety of materials and so many talented people working with you one-on-one in a small group setting that it’s impressive what you can create. Setting the Scene is unique, it’s super affordable, it’s an amazing experience.

Jennifer Brickman

Setting the Scene 2016; Currently Lead builder, Macy’s Christmas Windows USA

Last week I attended Connie’s 4-day shoe making workshop and I couldn’t have had a better time. She is such an amazing teacher and such a prolific craftsperson. Thank you for providing this course, I hope to attend many more in the future. I also walked away with a superb pair of bespoke leather Oxfords! Priceless.

Jane Graydon

Shoe Making 2021

I had a job interview yesterday to work in a scenic paint department in Burlington, and I’ve been offered the job! Thanks to my courses this summer at Off the Wall, I have been equipped with skills I could not have learned elsewhere. Off the Wall was the perfect launchpad for me to change course in my life, and I’m so grateful for the supportive artistic community I was welcomed into!

Jessica Nourse

Theatre Production Arts 2021; Currently Scenic Painter

After being apart for so long, it was exhilarating to be in a room of passionate people all talking about theatre. Lela is so knowledgeable - you can hear the passion she has for her job in every story. OTW allowed me to tap into my creativity and learn a skill I normally wouldn’t have access to. For that I’m very grateful.

Kelsey Rae

Pattern Drafting 2022; Currently Stage Manager