Directing and Communicating with Actors with Alisa Palmer
DATE: February 21, 2026
AGE: For High School Drama Educators and Directors
A workshop for Drama Educators and Directors with Alisa Palmer, former Executive Artistic Director of the National Theatre School of Canada
This interactive workshop is designed for high school drama educators and directors looking to strengthen their directing practice and connect more effectively with student actors. Led by renowned director and educator Alisa Palmer, the session explores practical rehearsal tools, clear communication strategies, and meaningful feedback that support confident, engaged performances.
Participants will gain fresh approaches to motivating students, navigating performance challenges, and creating a collaborative rehearsal environment where young artists can do their best work.
To register for this free informative session, please contact our Outreach Coordinator Jesse McRae at jesse.mcrae@saintjohntheatrecompany.com
Workshop Details
Audience: For High School drama educators and directors.
Location: BMO Studio Theatre, 112 Princess St.
Date: February 21, 2026 / Duration: 5 hours / Fee: no charge
Participant Information
Duration: 5 hours
Fee: No charge
About Alisa Palmer
An internationally trained, award-winning theatre director, playwright, and theatre producer with a career spanning over 25 years, Alisa’s work crosses genres, including the classics, contemporary plays, creation projects, musicals and operas. Alisa’s work is characterized by vivid performances, a bold use of music, powerful visuals and a passionate commitment to the body politic.
Alisa’s productions have been celebrated in theatres across Canada including the national tour of the critically acclaimed, two-part adaptation of Fall on Your Knees, which was recently named Finalist for the Governor General’s Award. She spent eight seasons at the Shaw Festival and three seasons at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival where she directed the world premiere of Hamlet-911 by Ann-Marie MacDonald. She is the former artistic director of Nightwood Theatre where she commissioned and produced landmark productions including Harlem Duet by Djanet Sears, and Smudge by Alex Bulmer, Canada’s first professional play by a visually impaired playwright. Alisa was also resident director for the world premiere of The Lord of the Rings for Mirvish Entertainment.
A passionate supporter of Canada’s theatre community, Alisa has served on the Toronto Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Conseils des arts du Montreal and the Steering Committee for the Canadian Arts Summit, where she served as Chair from in 2020 to 2022. Alisa recently completed an eleven-year tenure as the first Executive Artistic Director of the English Section of the National Theatre School of Canada, Canada’s only arts school training in both official languages. Alisa is founder and Artistic Producer of Vita Brevis Arts; a company committed to the development of urgent and ambitious theatre projects.