I visited my daughter’s amazing nursery school teacher this morning. It made me realize how special it is to be a ’ teacher to others’ children. It is something that takes on a life of its own once you say goodbye to the child and usher him or her out the door at the end of class. But….then you welcome them in again the next day or the next week or the following summer.

A teacher …a good teacher…an exceptinal teacher is a gift for both child and parent alike.

I want to thank my own teachers from days gone by that affected me the most and my children’s best teachers. They know who they are…they shine for many. A teacher gives and gives until a child finds their way and hits their stride.

Welcome to a new year of star teachers. Here’s hoping we find some gems!

The current roster of candidates leaves me feeling that nobody has more chance of connecting with citizens of Toronto than the other. In fact, their connections are sorely missing and in fact, several candidates have a track record of bad humour and dishonest dealings. And I like my use of Alliteration in that last sentence.

I am not one to mix Comedy and Politics- but I must say that we may need a good laugh as October 25th approaches and then a sobering pinch as we reevaluate the comedy of errors that many of the candidates are making.

But if any of this makes you feel upset or frustrated or makes you feel uneasy….then remember it’s September and so much can be done in 1 month and 25 days until the election. Item number #1- have your child come to out YSP class and smile!

Now- add some COMEDY, IMPROVISATION AND ACTING CLASSES AND YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL , EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE, DEVELOPMENT AND A RISE IN CONFIDENCE…Sign your child up for an acting class and make sure the teacher loves what they do…my class or anybody’s class…just sign them up and watch them soar!

And while your at it…rent them an old movie  or watch re runs of sitcoms from the 70-80′s…even Seinfeld’s in the 90′s…share the classics with them.

Laugh aloud before you pack that first lunch of the season!

We do , however, love to add singing to many of our original scene work and sketch comedy. In fact, one of our most popular exercises is turning any scene into an instant Broadway musical or Opera while still keeping the integrity and plot of the scene. The Players will tell you year after year that they love adding their voice to a scene….JUST NOT ALL THE TIME AS IT CAN BECOME ANNOYING.Case in point : Glee’s shine at the Emmys is not as bright this year as last year…all that simging makes the plot a little too flimsy.

Comer join us at YSP for a real theatre experience to write home about…or sing about?

Ahhh- the life of an actor really has few hazards outside of sword play and stage combat.

If I take all the hundreds of  young PLAYERS that we’ve taught since 1987 and asked them what injuries they’ve suffered- I think there would be a few broken nails and a bruise from a teen who tried to reenact a scene from the classic Three Stogies…and forgot to tell his scene partners.

All in all – Improv and Comedy is a safe bet that your child will come out in top form! We welcome Strasberg to come visit our live Improv show in December at the close of our Fall session to have a few laughs as he recovers from his injury. We wish you well my friend!

Being part of The Yonge Street Players can be exhilarating as a child/teen finds their rhythm as part of an ensemble of fellow actors. Creating a funny, smart  and topical sketch requires a stop on each base.  One has to bring the learning to muscle memory; one has to work their funny muscle! Finding the ‘sweet spot’ in the scene- just  like on the baseball  field is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment.

Batter up! We work on a stage …but we make it a diamond in the rough!

Classes at YSP start Sept 25th- Register today for our trial class. 416-823-5343

How to make each class new and prevent boredom is something I do not take lightly. After 22 years of teaching Acting and Improv classes for all ages from the very young to adults (in my Corporate felicitations), it is imperative that I push myself to be try new exercises and be a role model for a high energy approach.

I care about each student. I am able to read their mood or their intensity and dial my energy up or down. I am empathetic to those that may have had a late night  sleepover or video-gaming …or not enjoyed a quiet car ride on the way to class…or rushed to class with visions of homework not done! My goal is too get the child or teen to unwind and give themselves the gift of a workout for their imagination and abandon all thoughts of stress and worry. The day can bring a little piece of joy to their week of school, sports and social life. I like to think of my class as a way to add substance to their week; to be worth the effort. My guarantee is that I will  never suffer boredom as a teacher and always give a 100% + effort .

If you have a chance -come try us out this FALL at YSP!

Come join us for a trial class this September and see if you can stop the smiles and the giggles…we ‘re excited and ready to teach our first class of Pint Size Players this Fall. Click on  our YSP NEWS PAGE for more details.

4 yr olds all over the GTA are in  a tizzy over Lisa’s new classes!

And that was devastating for YSP…but we persevered and rented space at the New City Hall and later at Solar Stage and then Lansing ‘s Nickel Theatre. It really doesn’t matter too much where we teach- it is the energy of the children and the teens and the teaching that keeps Players coming back year after year…and new Players joining us!

I am  happy to say that I am one of the luckiest teachers in Toronto- because I still love what I do each and every SATURDAY at my theatre school.  Very happy to continue the challenge and create new opportunities for learning for each Player-each new season!

There- I’ve boasted about my Players. Over the last 22 years at Yonge Street Players we’ve taught the best of the best! Join us this SEPTEMBER for our 23rd season of ‘Second City ‘ style Improv, Comedy and Acting! Ages 6-17 yrs.