Workshop Series

Build Skills. Spark Discussion. Refine Practices. Get Involved. The Nextfest Arts Company presents the Nextfest Workshop Series.

Workshops will invite dedicated professional mentors and experts from the professional arts communities to teach, lead, and facilitate workshops directed at artistic skill growth, the business of being an artist, and the sustainability of artistic careers.

Participants will be given a common ground for discussion and the unique opportunity to learn from like-minded individuals.

Workshops are free for all. Workshops slots can be claimed by signing up below. Sign up soon – all slots are on a first-come, first-served basis, and space is limited.

Upcoming 2024 Free Workshop Series Sessions Overview:

  • Basics of Contemporary Dance With Deviani Andrea
  • That’s the Spirit! How To Make A Movie Without Funding With Katie Cutting (Lazy Kitten Productions)
  • Group auditions?!? No problem. They’re fun. With Jennifer Peebles (from Kompany Family Theatre)
  • Theatre Producing for Beginners  With Ellen Chorley (from The Nextfest Arts Company)
  • Artist Branding  with Soni Dasmohapatra At Macewan University 
  • Funding and Opportunities For Music With Jinting Zhao (from SHE-Q Audio)
  • Kathak – North Indian Classical Dance With Usha Gupta (from Usha Kala Niketan)
  • “Sayaw Tayo!” A Taste of Filipino Folk Dance With Jeannine Naboye Kroening
  • The Art Of Marketing/Selling Your Work With Kim Fjordbotten
  • Introduction to Clown & Clowning With Christine Lesiak
  • Dance Workshops with Good Women Dance Collective  At Shumka Dance Centre 10515 111 St NW, Edmonton

Learn more about these workshops and sign up below.

Note: All workshops are free to attend, all are welcome!

Note 2: 1 more workshop on Wednesday will be updated here soon. Please keep an eye out 🙂 

 

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Friday, May 31st from 1pm-3pm

Basics of Contemporary Dance

With Deviani Andrea

When? Friday, May 31st from 1pm-3pm
Where? Rehearsal Hall
Workshop Type: Dance

Basics of Contemporary Dance is a welcoming space for everyone who’d like to experience a contemporary dance class. Geared towards beginners, the class will start with a full body warm up followed by conditioning exercises across the floor plus choreography. We will learn basic techniques to safely get in and out the floor and ways to use the floor as a dance partner. No dance experience is needed!

Sign-up here.

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Sunday, June 2nd from 2pm-3pm

That’s the Spirit! How To Make A Movie Without Funding

With Katie Cutting (Lazy Kitten Productions)

When? Sunday, June 2nd from 2pm – 3PM
Where?Nancy Power Theatre
Workshop Type: Film, Funding

In January 2021, Katie Cutting had a camera, an idea, and zero money. Learn how she turned those few things into a feature film, and how you can do the same!

Sign-up here.

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Sunday, June 2nd from 5pm-6pm

Group auditions?!? No problem. They’re fun.

With Jennifer Peebles (from Kompany Family Theatre)

When? Sunday, June 2nd from 5pm – 6PM
Where?  Rehearsal Hall
Workshop Type: Auditioning

The ‘Group Audition Workshop’ is focused on sharing with teens what a ‘Group Audition’ might be like, creating a positive audition experience and is comprised of   – Drama games  – Ensemble building activities,   – Improv / Creation based activities  -NO memorization is necessary.   This ‘audition style’ is often used when casting an ensemble of creators for devised creation.   In fact, Kompany Family Theatre will be holding an audition (of this style) June 11th, for teens interested in acting in the summer touring show. 

Teens/Youth only! 

Sign-up here.

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Tuesday, June 4th and Wednesday, June 5th from 11am-3pm

Theatre Producing for Beginners 

With Ellen Chorley (from The Nextfest Arts Company)

When? Tuesday, June 4th and Wednesday, June 5th from 11am-3pm
Where?  Lorne Cardinal Theatre
Workshop Type: Producing

Do you have a dream project, but not sure how to get started producing?  Want to get your play in front of an audience? Are you participating in your first Nextfest or Fringe or another festival and need a little help? Dream about producing events?  This course covers the basic steps of theatre and event production including topics such as: – How do I understand what production model I’m using?  – How do I build a budget?  – How do I apply for funding? – How do I create contracts and artist agreements? – How do I create a rehearsal and production schedule?  – How do I tell audiences about my project?  – How do I decide where and how the money should get spent?  And much more!

Sign-up here.

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Tuesday, June 4th from 12pm-1:30pm

Funding and Opportunities For Music

With Jinting Zhao (from SHE-Q Audio)

When? Tuesday, June 4th from 12pm-1:30pm
Where? Rehearsal Hall
Workshop Type: Producing

How to fund your music projects and career, and the opportunities out there to get yourself heard as an artist.  Making music and being an artist requires resources. The world of grants, prizes, and programs is vast and can be difficult to navigate, so get a head start now with Jinting who will show you the basics of how to apply for and successfully obtain funding, showcase opportunities, mentorships, performances, you name it. 

Sign-up here.

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Wednesday, June 5th from 6pm-7pm

Artist Branding 

When? Wednesday, June 5th from 6pm-7pm
Where? MacEwan University in Room 11-434 in Allard Hall
Workshop Type: Branding, Marketing

LOCATED AT MACEWAN UNIVERSITY with Soni Dasmohapatra (Assistant Professor of Arts and Cultural Management at MacEwan University)

This interactive workshop will provide you with a framework and tools to develop your distinct artist brand.

Sign-up here.

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Wednesday, June 5th from 12pm-3pm

Kathak – North Indian Classical Dance

With Usha Gupta (from Usha Kala Niketan)

When? Wednesday, June 5th from 12pm-1:30pm
Where? Rehearsal Hall
Workshop Type: Dance

Sign-up here.

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Thursday, June 6th from 12pm-2pm

“Sayaw Tayo!” A Taste of Filipino Folk Dance

With Jeannine Naboye Kroening

When? Thursday, June 6th from 12pm-2:00pm
Where? Rehearsal Hall
Workshop Type: Dance

This workshop will guide through different kinds of traditional Filipino folk dances from various suites. Come join to experience a taste of Filipino culture through traditional dance! Sayaw tayo!

Sign-up here.

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Thursday, June 6th from 12pm-3pm

The Art Of Marketing/Selling Your Work

With Kim Fjordbotten (from The Paint Spot

When? Thursday, June 6th from 12pm-3pm
Where? The Lorne Cardinal Theatre
Workshop Type: Marketing your work – visual artists 

Join us for an enlightening talk with Kim Fjordbotten, who will share her expertise on monetizing and marketing art for emerging artists. This session will cover essential advice for the early stages of an art career, strategies for generating multiple income streams, practical tips for selling art, and effective marketing tactics. Designed for emerging visual artists looking to navigate the business side of the art world, this talk aims to equip attendees with the knowledge to build a sustainable career, diversify income, and effectively promote their art. Don’t miss this chance to learn from a successful artist and entrepreneur on how to turn your passion into a profession.

Sign-up here.

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Friday, June 7th from 12pm-3pm

Introduction to Clown & Clowning

With Christine Lesiak (from Small Matters Productions)

When? Friday, June 7th from 12pm-3pm
Where? The Rehearsal Hall
Workshop Type: Clown

Suitable for all levels of experience. Live in the moment, laugh, and celebrate your unique Foolishness! We’ll live in pleasure of presence and find the fun in failure as we tap into our greatest creative resource – PLAY.  Participants will play games, learn a (very) brief history of clowning, discover/explore their own unique personal clowns, and practice radical self-acceptance. Participants should expect to participate in light to moderate physical movement.

Sign-up here.

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Thursday, May 30th, Friday,  May 31st, Thursday, June 6th and Friday, June 7th  – each from 10am-11:30am

Dance Workshops with Good Women Dance Collective

When? Thursday, May 30th, Friday,  May 31st, Thursday, June 6th and Friday, June 7th  – each from 10am-11:30am
Where? Shumka Dance Centre 10515 111 St NW, Edmonton
Workshop Type: Dance

Good Women Dance Collective will be offering four dance workshops over four days of Nextfest in their studio! Go to their website for more details.

Sign up here. 

And here.

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