The 13th annual Summer Lab Intensive: June 21-July 11,2010
OYR Flyers

At the Big Secret Theatre in the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts In Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Open to actors, writers, directors, dancers and other artists with advanced study in their field, the OYR Summer Lab Intensive is designed to teach performance creation techniques, enhance performance skills, stimulate the imagination, and to fascinate, motivate and initiate.

Weekday Schedule: 10 am - 6 pm. Free rehearsal space after class and on the weekend.

Lab Instructors
  • Denise Clarke - Lab Principal, ensemble member, actor, dancer and choreographer. Denise teaches The Player: Physical Practice and Discovery Without Rules.
  • Chris Cran-Internationally renowned visual artist and instructor at Alberta College of Art and Design. Chris instructs in The Gaze: The Observer and the Observed.
  • Blake Brooker - Playwright, director, co-artistic director. Blake teaches Text: Words from the World
  • The Ensemble - Andy Curtis and Michael Green teaching One Yellow Rabbit’s core directives: Economy, Precision and Relaxation

Contact your local funding agency to inquire about study grants.
Fee: $1,650 Canadian. Free billets available. Limited enrolment, register now.

For more information contact One Yellow Rabbit.

By phone: 403 264-3224 Ext 4370

By email: Registrar

The Summer Lab Intensive

The Summer Lab Intensive is a unique and unconventional 3 week "workshop" (for lack of a better word) with the aim of stimulating theatre and performing artists. Most of the people we attract have the creation of original theatre/performance as their ultimate goal. Our approach is non-disciplinary, in the sense that the Lab attracts actors, directors, dancers, writers, and even a few people from a smattering of other performance-related disciplines.

We do not segregate participants based on their discipline. Everyone works together in an intimate relationship with the Lab "instructors" (also for lack of a better word). The instructor-to-participant ratio is very good, since we only accept 25 people each year.

We only accept people with advanced study or practical experience in their fields.

The Lab brings a fascinating cross-section of Canadian artists together. In 1997, our founding year, half of the participants were from out-of-town. Since 1998 over two thirds of our applicants have been from out-of-town, coming from every region of Canada and from outside the country.

The philosophy

The Lab's founding philosophy is the same as that of the One Yellow Rabbit ensemble:

  • Good performance is based on economy, precision, and relaxation.
  • There are no "rules" to the creation of good theatre.
  • Imagination is your most important asset.
  • Theatre artists should have a solid understanding of all elements of performance and creation: acting, movement, writing, etc.
  • Good performance and creation involve practice and discipline, from the creation phase, through to warm-up and the eventual performance itself.
  • Art based on honest experience is the most powerful.
What you must do...

There is no official application form and no official deadline. We stop accepting applications when the Lab is full. To apply you need to do three things:

1 - Let us know that you are serious about coming. At that point, we enter your name, address and phone number into the application database.

2 - Send a package about yourself as soon as possible to the address listed below. The packages that people submit take many forms. Sometimes very formal (resume, 8 X 10 glossy photos, press clippings, etc.), and sometimes very informal as in art portfolios, collected writings, etc. A mixture of the formal and the artistic is usually best. Overall it should represent YOU.

3 - After submitting you application, Denise Clarke will contact you within three weeks for an informal telephone interview. The purpose of the interview is to get a sense of who you are and to ensure you understand what the Summer Intensive Lab is about.

Once your package has been reviewed and you've had your  conversation with Denise, we make decisions about acceptance.

Send Application Packages To:

One Yellow Rabbit
Attention: Summer Lab Intensive
#21, 225 - 8th Avenue SE
Calgary, Alberta T2G 0K8

For more information contact the Registrar: Registrar

Telephone: (403) 264-3224 Ext 4370