acting faculty

Rebecca Gibson

Acting for Film & Television Instructor & Program Developer

Though Rebecca’s work and training have taken her from Vancouver to Toronto, New York to Los Angeles, she is proud to call Winnipeg her home.  

 

Rebecca’s most recent acting work was a supporting lead in the upcoming A Christmas Hope opposite Ian Ziering, and the television series Less Than Kind. Other acting work has included Hell on Heels: The Battle for Mary Kay (with Shirley MacLaine, Parker Posey, and Shannen Doherty), Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three’s Company (with Brian Dennehy), and The Harp (directed by Sarah Polley). Her theatrical work has included the role of “Marianne” in Goodbye Marianne for Vancouver’s Carousel Theatre, “Chava” in Fiddler on the Roof for Rainbow Stage, and “Juliet” in Romeo and Juliet for Shakespeare in the Park. In 2006 she was awarded a Blizzard for Best Supporting Actress for her work on the television series Except the Dying. Rebecca is a highly sought after voice artist, with work ranging from award-winning ad campaigns to an award-winning children’s series – Tipi Tales.

 

As an acting coach and workshop facilitator for film training, Rebecca has guest lectured at the University of Winnipeg, Manitoba Youth Drama Festival, Prairie Theatre Exchange, Freeze Frame International Film Festival, the Actors Training Center of Manitoba, Film Training Manitoba, the Winnipeg Film Group, and in several elementary, junior high, and high schools. Rebecca also works as an on-set acting coach for film and television, including work with the hosts of the television series Guinea Pig and The Sharing Circle, and on the feature film Make It Happen. Rebecca helped develop the Acting Program for the Academy of Broadcasting Corporation’s Academy of Acting. She has served as both Faculty Director and Artistic Director for the college.

 

Additionally, Rebecca has worked extensively in film and television production, most notably as a casting director for television series, commercials, feature films, independent shorts, and television movies. Rebecca has written, produced, directed, and choreographed several theatrical productions, short and full-length films, and an internet series. Rebecca has done almost every job there is to do in the film industry, which has helped her in her acting work, and as a teacher.

 

Rebecca looks forward to continuing to work with each individual student to help them reach their goals in the industry, and beyond.

 

Shawn Farrell

Academy of Acting - Faculty Administrator

 

Jeff Erbach

Jeff has been an active film director for 14 years.  In that time he has directed several music videos, commercials, corporate videos, 7 short films and the feature film the Nature of Nicholas. His films have won awards, played all over the world and earned him a retrospective at the Canadian Film Institute in Ottawa.

 

Jeff remains dedicated and active in Manitoba's artistic community and has acted as a lecturer, Board Member, panelist, juror, consultant, guest speaker, cooridnator and mentor through previous or ongoing association with Arts and Cultural Industry Manitoba, the Winnipeg Film Group, Video Pool Media Arts Centre, the University of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba, Alliance for Arts Education Manitoba, Film Training Manitoba, National Screen Institute, OnaLee Ames Professional Acting Studio, OnScreen Manitoba, the Actor's Studio, the Winnipeg Arts Council and the Manitoba Arts Council.

 

Jeff currently holds the position of Faculty Director at the Academy of Acting, a one year diploma program in performance.  He is also the co-owner and instructor at Centre Studio, an acting studio in Winnipeg dedicated to the exploration of Michael Chekhov technique.  His interest in performance lies in the use of Meyerhold's system of Biomechanics and the Michael Chekhov technique, which he readily studies through the Michael Chekhov Association of New York.

 

Jeff continues to dedicate himself to each student enrolled at the Academy, wanting only for each student to be the actor that they wish for themselves.

 

B. Pat Burns

B. Pat Burns is a local theatre / film & television professional who has been working in the field for over 30 years. He has taught and coached at MTYP, PTE, Manitoba Summer Theatre School, The School of Contemporary Dancers, as well as private group and individual classes. He was the Young Company Director for MTYP Young Company for 8 years. He has been a founding member of several independent theatre companies including Shakespeare in the Ruins. Currently, besides instructing at ABC, he spends his time acting in film & television (most notably as the father in THE DAVID MILGAARD STORY and as Gordon Sinclair in COWBOYS AND INDIANS, The J.J. Harper Story); Teaching Acting (privately); and Voice (he is the Voice coach for the School of Contemporary Dancers) and directing stage plays. He has served as Vice President of the Local Branch of ACTRA (screen actors guild) and Chair of the Training Committee that developed and implemented a comprehensive professional development program. Recently, B. Pat was hired on as the ‘on set’ acting coach for “The Box Collector” with Margot Kidder (Lois Lane in Superman 1-4), Lyne Renee (The Hessen Affair) and Noah Segan (Brick). Ms. Kidder continues to use his services as her private acting coach.

 

Stephen Sim

Stephen Sim has been performing and teaching improvisation with his duo CRUMBS all over Canada, Europe and the United States. For over a decade he has been leading master classes in improvisation and is one of the most sought after improv instructors working today. CRUMBS has won several awards at international improv festivals and tournaments and is considered the premiere longform improv group in the country. Stephen has lead workshops for the main stage cast of the Vancouver Theatresports League, Edmonton's Rapid Fire Theatre, Ryan Stiles' Upfront Theatre as well as in Berlin, Zurich, Tel Aviv, Ljubjana, Vienna and Stockholm. Stephen has worked in sketch comedy and stand-up as well as improvisation. He can be seen regularly performing at the King's Head on Tuesdays as part of their Free Laughs comedy series or on the road somewhere in some city. Stephen loves what he does.

 

Nancy Drake

Nancy Drake has been artistic director for Agassiz Theatre, and Theatre New West in Brandon, has dramaturged for over thirty playwrights, and been a mentor to many playwrights and students. She has appeared in 26 films, been a singer and dancer, performing in 23 musicals before she ever did a drama. She has appeared in 14 plays on the mainstage at MTC and in 9 at the Warehouse Theatre, which include ‘Richard III’, ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ and ‘Steel Magnolias’. Also, she has taught at 7 theatre schools, teaching drama, voice and diction.

 

Jeff Skinner

Jeff Skinner’s artistic career is diverse. He has performed in over fifty theatrical productions and over 500 musical stage appearances, many of which were in musicals and with his vocal group, The Argyles. Jeff has also performed in over forty films including The Big White with Robin Williams, Naughty or Nice for ABC, Category 6: Day of Destruction for CBS, The Carol Shields Stories for W, Cowboys & Indians: The Killing of J.J. Harper for CBC and APTN, East of Euclid for Showcase, Scared Silent with Penelope Ann Miller, Brothers, Epiphany Rules for Buffalo Gals Pictures, and Scalpers for Super Channel. He also had a recurring role in the ABC/Global television series Falcon Beach. Along with his extensive credits, both locally and nationally as a singer, actor, composer, writer, director, producer, in the theatre, film, music, television and commercial industries, Jeff has created numerous live events including Grey Cup ’91 as Festival Producer and creator and producer of the Festival of Lights Parade. He currently owns ProCreators, a film and live events production house. Jeff practices what he preaches and constantly trains. He has participated in the Director/Observer Program through Film Training Manitoba shadowing Director Bill Corcoran on the set of Falcon Beach. Jeff is a MMPIA board member.