The Dirt Underneath Actors' Space

The Dirt Underneath Actors' Space Film + theatre scene study classes & private coaching available with John Gordon. John taught for 9

John taught for 9 yrs at ProActorsLab & 2 yrs at Equity Showcase.

⭐️ STUDENT TESTIMONIAL — SHAUN McCOMB’S ON-CAMERA SCENE STUDY ⭐️“Shaun began teaching me online during the pandemic, whe...
08/23/2026

⭐️ STUDENT TESTIMONIAL — SHAUN McCOMB’S ON-CAMERA SCENE STUDY ⭐️

“Shaun began teaching me online during the pandemic, when I was just starting my acting career and learning all the 101s.

From the beginning, Shaun was incredibly truthful. He didn’t shy away from telling me that if we didn’t work out, it was okay for us to go our separate ways. And right off the bat, if your coach says that, you know you’re not getting scammed anytime soon. 😂

Little did I know, he would end up believing in me more than I believed in myself.

Shaun gave me the strength, skills, tactics and passion to genuinely get better over time. It’s not easy — and he doesn’t make it easy. He teaches you how to critique your own work in a healthy way, so you can keep refining your craft while staying humble.

In less than a year, I’ve done things I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing for several years out. And I can say, without a doubt, I owe so much of that to Shaun.

It’s hard to describe magic.

Sometimes you just have to come see it for yourself.” - Omar Saleh

Shaun McComb’s On-Camera Scene Study

Train. Take risks. Do the work.

🎬 **SESSION 5 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!** 🎬September/October 2026 classes at **The Dirt Underneath** are now open for re...
08/09/2026

🎬 **SESSION 5 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!** 🎬

September/October 2026 classes at **The Dirt Underneath** are now open for registration.

🎭 **JOHN GORDON — MASTER CLASS**
On-Camera Scene Study
Mondays • 6–10 PM
Sept 14–Oct 26 *(no class Sept 28)*
6 weeks • $475 HST incl.
**Early Bird: $425**

For actors working regularly in film, TV & theatre, or who have studied with John for at least 2 terms.
**APPLICATION REQUIRED**

🎥 **JOHN GORDON — ON-CAMERA SCENE STUDY**
**Wednesdays:** 6–10 PM • Sept 17–Oct 22
**OR**
**Thursdays:** 12–4 PM • Sept 17–Oct 22
6 weeks • $475 HST incl.
**Early Bird: $425**

🎬 **JOHN GORDON — NEW STUDENT CLASS**
On-Camera Scene Study
Tuesdays • 2–5 PM
Sept 15–29 • 3 weeks
$325 HST incl. • **Early Bird: $300**
No prior acting experience necessary.

🎭 **JOHN GORDON — THEATRE SCENE STUDY**
Weekend Intensive
Nov 7–8 • 12–5 PM
$325 HST incl. • **Early Bird: $300**

🎥 **SHAUN McCOMB — ON-CAMERA SCENE STUDY**
Choose from:

Tuesdays • 6–10 PM • Sept 15–Oct 20
Wednesdays • 12–4 PM • Sept 16–Oct 21
Saturdays • 11 AM–3 PM • Sept 19–Oct 24

6 weeks • $475 HST incl.
**Early Bird: $425**

🎟️ **FIRST-TIME AUDITOR DISCOUNT**
First-time students who have audited John or Shaun within the last 3 months receive an additional $25 off the early-bird or regular rate.

📚 Grant Writing 101 is **not offered in Session 5.**

👉 **Registration is now open. Apply through the link in our bio.**

07/24/2026

WANT TO AUDIT A CLASS AT THE DIRT?
It’s free.
We encourage new students to drop in on our On-Camera Scene Study and see how we work.
HOW TO AUDIT:
1. Pick one: Check our schedule and choose a Scene Study class.
2. Email day before: Confirm the exact start time.
John → [email protected]
Shaun → [email protected]
3. Pull up: Arrive 10 mins early. Stay for 10 minutes or the whole class.
📍 636 Pape Ave - entrance off Cavell Ave, behind John’s Video, through the black gate.
Just be a respectful observer - no acting notes please.
Perk: Audit, then apply for Scene Study within 3 months and get an extra $25 OFF your rate. Early-bird or regular.
*No auditors for Movement Classes or Grant Writing Workshops.

07/05/2026

Hey Dirt Community!

There are a few spots available in Session 4 (July/August):

John’s Tuesday afternoon On-Camera Scene Study class

&

Shaun’s On-Camera Scene Study class.

Link in BIO to register.

Grab these spots before they disappear.

Scene Study Regular Deadline ends tonight at 11:59pm🎬 SESSION 4 CLASSES – JULY/AUGUST 2026 🎬 Registration Now Open. 📅 IM...
07/01/2026

Scene Study Regular Deadline ends tonight at 11:59pm

🎬 SESSION 4 CLASSES – JULY/AUGUST 2026 🎬 Registration Now Open.
📅 IMPORTANT DATES:
• Early-Bird Deadline (all classes except Grant Writing):
Sunday, June 28 @ 11:59PM EST
• Scene Study Application Deadline:
Wednesday, July 1 @ 11:59PM EST
• Grant Writing Early-Bird Deadline:
2 weeks before first class
• Session 4 runs:
July 13 – August 24
Email [email protected] to join our e-newsletter for updates.
🎭 JOHN GORDON – MASTER CLASS
ON-CAMERA SCENE STUDY
📅 Mondays 6–10PM
July 13 – Aug 24
(No class Aug 3)
💰 6 Weeks: $475 inc HST
For actors working regularly in film/TV/theatre or who have studied with John for at least 2 terms.
Type: APPLICATION
🎭 JOHN GORDON
ON-CAMERA SCENE STUDY
📅 Tuesdays 12–4PM
July 14 – Aug 18
💰 6 Weeks: $475
Type: APPLICATION
✨ First-time student? If you audited John’s class in the past 3 months, receive an additional $25 off.
🎭 JOHN GORDON
NEW STUDENT CLASS
📅 Mondays 1:30–4:30PM
July 13–27 (3 Weeks)
💰 $325
No experience necessary.
Type: APPLICATION
🎬 SHAUN MCCOMB
ON-CAMERA SCENE STUDY
Choose 1:
📅 Tuesdays 6–10PM
July 14 – Aug 18
📅 Wednesdays 12–4PM
July 15 – Aug 19
📅 Fridays 11AM–3PM
July 17 – Aug 21
💰 $475
Type: APPLICATION
✨ First-time students who audited Shaun’s class in the last 3 months receive an additional $25 off.
📝 VICTORIA URQUHART
GRANT WRITING 101
ONLINE CLASSES:
📅 Thursdays
July 23 + 30
4–6PM
PLUS choose ONE free-access clinic:
• Aug 6 (4–7PM)
OR
• Aug 9 (12–3PM)
💰 $175 (HST exempt)
🐦 Early Bird: $150
Type: OPEN
Apply early — spots fill quickly.
Link In Bio to register for any of our offerings.

06/28/2026

EARLY BIRD discount ends tonight at 11:59pm

🎬 SESSION 4 CLASSES – JULY/AUGUST 2026 🎬 Registration Now Open.
📅 IMPORTANT DATES:
• Early-Bird Deadline (all classes except Grant Writing):
Sunday, June 28 @ 11:59PM EST
• Scene Study Application Deadline:
Wednesday, July 1 @ 11:59PM EST
• Grant Writing Early-Bird Deadline:
2 weeks before first class
• Session 4 runs:
July 13 – August 24
Email [email protected] to join our e-newsletter for updates.
🎭 JOHN GORDON – MASTER CLASS
ON-CAMERA SCENE STUDY
📅 Mondays 6–10PM
July 13 – Aug 24
(No class Aug 3)
💰 6 Weeks: $475 inc HST
🐦 Early Bird: $425
For actors working regularly in film/TV/theatre or who have studied with John for at least 2 terms.
Type: APPLICATION
🎭 JOHN GORDON
ON-CAMERA SCENE STUDY
📅 Tuesdays 12–4PM
July 14 – Aug 18
💰 6 Weeks: $475
🐦 Early Bird: $425
Type: APPLICATION
✨ First-time student? If you audited John’s class in the past 3 months, receive an additional $25 off.
🎭 JOHN GORDON
NEW STUDENT CLASS
📅 Mondays 1:30–4:30PM
July 13–27 (3 Weeks)
💰 $325
🐦 Early Bird: $300
No experience necessary.
Type: APPLICATION
🎬 SHAUN MCCOMB
ON-CAMERA SCENE STUDY
Choose 1:
📅 Tuesdays 6–10PM
July 14 – Aug 18
📅 Wednesdays 12–4PM
July 15 – Aug 19
📅 Fridays 11AM–3PM
July 17 – Aug 21
💰 $475
🐦 Early Bird: $425
Type: APPLICATION
✨ First-time students who audited Shaun’s class in the last 3 months receive an additional $25 off.
📝 VICTORIA URQUHART
GRANT WRITING 101
ONLINE CLASSES:
📅 Thursdays
July 23 + 30
4–6PM
PLUS choose ONE free-access clinic:
• Aug 6 (4–7PM)
OR
• Aug 9 (12–3PM)
💰 $175 (HST exempt)
🐦 Early Bird: $150
Type: OPEN
Apply early — spots fill quickly.
Link In Bio to register for any of our offerings.

Fresh off AMC’s The Audacity, Andrew Bushell on returning to class with John Gordon:“John was the first teacher I worked...
06/26/2026

Fresh off AMC’s The Audacity, Andrew Bushell on returning to class with John Gordon:

“John was the first teacher I worked with when I moved to Toronto. Since he’s opened The Dirt I’ve sent anyone who will listen his way. I not only trust him with my own work, I trust him with the actors I recommend.”

“I’ve been fortunate to work consistently, but the industry has had a lull. Coming off a major series, I didn’t want to be rusty when the next opportunity hit. I wanted to stay sharp, not restart the engine on the job. John knows my work, my strengths, my habits. He was the right person to get me where I wanted to go.”

“Over the 6-week session John pushed me into territory outside my usual casting. I felt the growth week to week. As I’ve aged into a different point in my career, I needed my range to match the roles ahead. John could see the puzzle pieces and put them together. By the end I had real confidence I could play and book that next bracket.”

“John is a trusted mentor, teacher and friend. The Dirt is the place I go to re-immerse with quality peers. After almost two decades, I still can’t thank him enough.”

- Andrew Bushell
Credits: The Audacity (AMC), Dinner with Friends, 24-Karat Christmas

Session 4 starts July 13. Application only.

MASTER CLASS
Mondays 6:00-10:00pm
July 13 to August 24 (no class Aug 3, Simcoe Day)
6 weeks / $475 inc HST / early-bird $425

ON-CAMERA SCENE STUDY
Tuesdays 12:00-4:00pm
July 15 to August 18
6 weeks / $475 inc HST / early-bird $425

NEW STUDENT CLASS
Mondays 1:30-4:30pm
July 13 to 27 (3 weeks)
$325 inc HST / early-bird $300
No experience necessary.

Early-bird pricing ends Sunday, June 28 at 11:59pm.

Apply now. Link in bio.

ActorTraining TheAudacity ACTRA

✨ We are excited to announce that Aisha Shennawy (she/her) is The Dirt Underneath’s 2026–2027 ARP Recipient! ✨Born in Mo...
06/06/2026

✨ We are excited to announce that Aisha Shennawy (she/her) is The Dirt Underneath’s 2026–2027 ARP Recipient! ✨

Born in Montreal and raised within Ottawa’s Muslim community, Aisha is an Egyptian-Canadian actor and visual artist whose work is informed by a deep curiosity about identity and human connection.

After completing a Bachelor of Architecture at Carleton University, Aisha chose to pursue acting professionally and graduated from George Brown Theatre School in 2024.

Since graduating, she has worked across independent film and theatre projects while continuing to invest deeply in her growth as an artist. Outside of performance, Aisha enjoys painting and creating dynamic visual landscapes.

Aisha shares:

“I’m thrilled to be this year’s ARP recipient at The Dirt Underneath and grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and collaborate alongside such a vibrant artistic community.”

Please join us in welcoming Aisha to The Dirt Underneath community — we cannot wait to see what this year brings. ❤️

Photo Credit: David Leyes

Aisha Shennawy (she/her) is an Egyptian-Canadian actor and visual artist. Born in Montreal and raised within Ottawa’s M...
06/06/2026

Aisha Shennawy (she/her) is an Egyptian-Canadian actor and visual artist. Born in Montreal and raised within Ottawa’s Muslim community, her work is informed by a deep curiosity about identity and human connection. After completing a Bachelor of Architecture at Carleton University, she chose to pursue acting professionally and graduated from George Brown Theatre School in 2024. 
Since graduating, Aisha has worked on independent film and theatre projects while continuing to invest in her development as an actor. Outside of performance she enjoys painting and creating dynamic visual landscapes. Aisha is thrilled to be this year’s ARP recipient at The Dirt Underneath and is grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow and collaborate alongside its vibrant artistic community.
Headshot photo credit:

Address

636 Pape Avenue
Toronto, ON
M4K3S3

Telephone

4166181121

Website

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