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!
Workshop Listings
March Break 2025 – Creative Sparks Workshops
Explore the magic of theatre production and discover new talents with our one-day, hands-on workshops designed for the curious, aged 16 to adult.
-
Special Effects Makeup
$95.00Instructor: Georgia Steel | March 10, 2025 (10am-4pm)
For stage, cosplay or Hallowe’en, venture into gore makeup. Discover special effects techniques such as: scars, lacerations, burns, bullet holes and bruising (in various stages of healing)
-
Food Props
$95.00Instructor: Deb Erb | March 11, 2025 (10am-4pm)
Making realistic “faux food” is an essential skill in every Prop Makers’ toolkit. Practice a variety of techniques and discover commonplace materials used to create lifelike food props, resilient enough to last a production run.
-
Scenic Art
$95.00Instructor: Kevin Kemp | March 12, 2025 (10am-4pm)
Facades – such as wood grain, brick, stone and marble – enrich stage or film sets and allow for quick and easy set changes. Discover techniques, materials and methods used by generations of theatrical scenic artists in creating faux finishes.
-
Lighting Design
$95.00Instructors: Kaileigh Krysztofiak | March 13, 2025 (10am-4pm)
Lighting design is key to visual storytelling, for without light, nothing can be seen.
Effective stage lighting supports and lifts the story being told onstage by providing focus, mood, atmosphere and setting. In this single-day course, students will explore the principles, qualities, objectives, and processes of lighting design through hands-on exploration of both the physics of lighting design (photometrics) and colour theory.
-
Stage Management
$95.00Instructor: Hilary Nichol | March 14, 2025 (10am-4pm)
Stage Managers are essential to the success of any theatrical production. Discover their roles and responsibilities and explore their processes—from script breakdown, scheduling and running rehearsals, and coordinating the work of stage crews to calling shows from the booth during performances and ensuring the integrity of the production throughout the run.
-
Full Creative Sparks Enrollment
$425.00Workshop Bundle | March 10 – 14, 2025
Select this option to enroll in all the single-day Creative Sparks workshops offered this March (March 10 – 14, 2025). By doing so, you’ll also save $50 off your total registration fee!
-
Special Effects Makeup
$95.00Instructor: Georgia Steel | March 10, 2025 (10am-4pm)
For stage, cosplay or Hallowe’en, venture into gore makeup. Discover special effects techniques such as: scars, lacerations, burns, bullet holes and bruising (in various stages of healing)
-
Food Props
$95.00Instructor: Deb Erb | March 11, 2025 (10am-4pm)
Making realistic “faux food” is an essential skill in every Prop Makers’ toolkit. Practice a variety of techniques and discover commonplace materials used to create lifelike food props, resilient enough to last a production run.
-
Scenic Art
$95.00Instructor: Kevin Kemp | March 12, 2025 (10am-4pm)
Facades – such as wood grain, brick, stone and marble – enrich stage or film sets and allow for quick and easy set changes. Discover techniques, materials and methods used by generations of theatrical scenic artists in creating faux finishes.
-
Lighting Design
$95.00Instructors: Kaileigh Krysztofiak | March 13, 2025 (10am-4pm)
Lighting design is key to visual storytelling, for without light, nothing can be seen.
Effective stage lighting supports and lifts the story being told onstage by providing focus, mood, atmosphere and setting. In this single-day course, students will explore the principles, qualities, objectives, and processes of lighting design through hands-on exploration of both the physics of lighting design (photometrics) and colour theory.
-
Stage Management
$95.00Instructor: Hilary Nichol | March 14, 2025 (10am-4pm)
Stage Managers are essential to the success of any theatrical production. Discover their roles and responsibilities and explore their processes—from script breakdown, scheduling and running rehearsals, and coordinating the work of stage crews to calling shows from the booth during performances and ensuring the integrity of the production throughout the run.
-
Full Creative Sparks Enrollment
$425.00Workshop Bundle | March 10 – 14, 2025
Select this option to enroll in all the single-day Creative Sparks workshops offered this March (March 10 – 14, 2025). By doing so, you’ll also save $50 off your total registration fee!
Winter 2025
Stay tuned for upcoming workshop listings for this season.
- Art Direction
- Carpentry
- Costume Design
- Fall 2024
- FUNdraiser
- Gift Certificate
- Lighting
- Makeup
- Makeup Intensive Workshops
- March Break 2025
- Mask Making
- Millinery
- Painting
- Pattern Drafting
- Photography
- Prop Making
- Set Design
- Sewing
- Shoemaking
- Stage Management
- Summer 2025
- Test
- Theatrical Jewelry
- Theatrical Product Arts Certificate (TPAC)
- Uncategorized
- Welding
- Wig Making
- Winter 2025
-
Pattern Drafting Workshop
$650.00Instructor: 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.
-
Theatrical Jewelry Workshop
$350.00Instructor: Tami MacDonald | Date: Feb. 15-16, 2025 (9am-5pm)
A rare gem, this introductory workshop takes you through the process of theatrical jewelry making.
-
Wig Making Workshop
$675.00Four 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.
-
Art Direction Workshop
$350.00Instructors: 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.
-
Wig Making Workshop Session 2
$675.00Four 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.
-
Pattern Drafting Workshop
$650.00Instructor: 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.
-
Theatrical Jewelry Workshop
$350.00Instructor: Tami MacDonald | Date: Feb. 15-16, 2025 (9am-5pm)
A rare gem, this introductory workshop takes you through the process of theatrical jewelry making.
-
Wig Making Workshop
$675.00Four 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.
-
Art Direction Workshop
$350.00Instructors: 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.
-
Wig Making Workshop Session 2
$675.00Four 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.
Summer 2025
Join Waitlist to show interest. Registration will open when dates are confirmed.
- Art Direction
- Carpentry
- Costume Design
- Fall 2024
- FUNdraiser
- Gift Certificate
- Lighting
- Makeup
- Makeup Intensive Workshops
- March Break 2025
- Mask Making
- Millinery
- Painting
- Pattern Drafting
- Photography
- Prop Making
- Set Design
- Sewing
- Shoemaking
- Stage Management
- Summer 2025
- Test
- Theatrical Jewelry
- Theatrical Product Arts Certificate (TPAC)
- Uncategorized
- Welding
- Wig Making
- Winter 2025
-
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00June 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.
-
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00June 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.
-
Theatrical Carpentry
$650.00Instructor: Eric Tulp | Dates: July 7-11, 2025
Strong theatrical carpentry skills are essential to creating sets and props that capture the theatregoer’s imagination.
-
Costume Design Workshop
$650.00July 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.
-
Set Design Workshop
$650.002025 Instructor: TBD
Set Design is a practical course for those with limited experience in theatrical design.
-
Mask Making Workshop
$675.00July 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.
-
Stage Makeup & Gore Galore
$350.00Instructor: 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.
-
Specialty Makeup
$350.00Instructor: 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.
-
Makeup Intensives
$650.00Instructor: 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.
-
Scenic Painting Workshop
$675.00Instructor: Thomas Lappano | Dates: August 11-15, 2025
Discover techniques and methods used by generations of theatrical scenic artists during this one-week intensive course.
-
Scenic Art Drops & Murals
$675.00Instructor: 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.
-
Millinery The Art of Hat Making
$675.00August 18-22, 2025 Instructor: Monica Viani
Explore the process of analyzing, designing, patterning and building your own unique hat shape!
-
Prop Making Workshop
$650.002025 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.
-
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00September 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.
-
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00September 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.
-
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00June 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.
-
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00June 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.
-
Theatrical Carpentry
$650.00Instructor: Eric Tulp | Dates: July 7-11, 2025
Strong theatrical carpentry skills are essential to creating sets and props that capture the theatregoer’s imagination.
-
Costume Design Workshop
$650.00July 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.
-
Set Design Workshop
$650.002025 Instructor: TBD
Set Design is a practical course for those with limited experience in theatrical design.
-
Mask Making Workshop
$675.00July 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.
-
Stage Makeup & Gore Galore
$350.00Instructor: 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.
-
Specialty Makeup
$350.00Instructor: 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.
-
Makeup Intensives
$650.00Instructor: 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.
-
Scenic Painting Workshop
$675.00Instructor: Thomas Lappano | Dates: August 11-15, 2025
Discover techniques and methods used by generations of theatrical scenic artists during this one-week intensive course.
-
Scenic Art Drops & Murals
$675.00Instructor: 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.
-
Millinery The Art of Hat Making
$675.00August 18-22, 2025 Instructor: Monica Viani
Explore the process of analyzing, designing, patterning and building your own unique hat shape!
-
Prop Making Workshop
$650.002025 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.
-
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00September 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.
-
Artistic Welding Workshop
$675.00September 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.
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.
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 BuilderI 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 USALast 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 2021I 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 PainterAfter 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 ManagerOff 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 BuilderI 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 USALast 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 2021I 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 PainterAfter 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 ManagerJoin Our Newsletter
Receive course updates, upcoming event announcements, and more!
Thanks for subscribing!