The Yonge Street Players Theatre School is Toronto’s premier training ground for young children and teens. Founded in 1987 by artistic director Lisa M. Seward, the school emphasizes risk-taking, drama, improvisation, character work and performance skills as its fundamentals.
YSP is known for its end of session original productions in ensemble dramas for the younger Players and sketch comedy“Second City” style with the older Players. Each class or workshop builds on the Players’ individual creative instincts.
Each class combines warm-up exercises, music, improvisation, scene creation, monologues, comedy and drama with performance techniques. The YSP program encourages each “Player” to contribute as part of an ensemble with an emphasis on friendly critique and mutual respect among peers.
The Players perform a live improv show several times a year to boost their self-confidence and provide a unique learning experience. YSP’s trademark shows created and written by the Players have been performed in venues like: Second City’s Old Firehall Theatre, The Ford Center, Solar Stage and the Metro Convention Center.
The Yonge Street Players were recipients of the National YTV Award for Comedy judged and presented by Jim Carrey and Eugene Levy. But our best award comes in the form of a child’s smile when they come to class each week!
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Lisa M. Seward trained in New York City at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts ( A.O.S.), York University (Hon BA/ PSYCH) and a year of learning at U of T’s MSW programme. Lisa was one of the early members of Second City’s “First Issue”, writing and performing sketch comedy for corporate shows across Canada. She facilitates corporate Improv and Gratification Workshops with YSP’s TEAMWORK in Canada and the US.
When not running her theatre school on Saturdays;Lisa combines her unique teaching style and expertise working in child therapy with issues around anxiety, behaviour, aspergers, language delay,gifted/learning issues & language delay in the GTA. Lisa is also an Associate of Connected Parenting.
