MY STory

(The how (and why) I started teaching Acting Classes

in Nova Scotia)

Back in 2015, a dance mentor met me after what turned out to be my last major dance showcase, titled ‘Spoken Motion: An evening of danced poetry’. I told this mentor that if I was to ever produce, create and direct another show, “it’ll be a straight play”… I felt I was going nowhere with these theatre dance showcases, and that I needed to take a break from the musical theatre dance world. “I guess I better get my butt back into acting class and start meeting some actors already.” This mentor then said, “Katrina, with the way you interpret characters, you shouldn’t take acting class, you should teach it.”

I laughed.

A month or two later I found a class and an acting teacher who turned my world upside down. Robert McCaskill of McCaskill Studio. Turns out that the world of acting made more sense to me, then the dance world did, and in the following years people would ask me and recommend me for projects without an audition, I made lifelong friends and collaborators… Not only did I find my people, but I was discovering my instrument and true power through this medium. Acting gave me an agency and a confidence that dance didn’t.

Then the pandemic happened. Through recommendations from friends I found myself taking Sal Romeo’s (LA) zoom class where I began to learn and incorporate Meisner and Stanislavski (relaxation and sense memory) techniques. When I started Sal’s class, my partner and I just arrived to Nova Scotia and I was beginning to get a feel for their theatre community. The first thing I looked for, in order to meet people, was of course a group acting class. But? There were NONE. It was Sal, who planted the seed and urged me to start my own.

Again, I laughed.

It’s difficult to insert yourself into another theatre community when you “Come From Away.” It’s not easy. It takes time.

But when my dance students started asking if I taught acting, I reconsidered the notion.

My first set of group acting classes were small. No more then ten students, I charged enough to break even with my room rentals. This was in February 2023. My second set of classes, I found I had three times as many folks inquiring to take my class.

M‍y last set of group acting classes in Nova Scotia took place May 2026. By then I had taught over 120 students. Some of the courses I taught were; INTRO to Acting, Scene Study, Drop -In Classes, Breath and Relaxation Workshops, Audition Workshops, and A Showcase Performance Course where students would experience what it’s like to rehearse and perform in a show.

I had no idea what I was getting into, but Sal was right. Teaching acting would be the most fulfilling and rewarding experience- Seeing first hand students discovering themselves, their instrument, their power— Is by far one the most beautiful things to witness. I’m honoured. I’m proud of what transpired.

Previous Acting Page

The Actor's Showcase

TIMELESS: The Actor's Showcase II

"Katrina is a shiny diamond-- You have changed my life. I've been so inspired by your incredible energy and sheer passion for your craft! I learned SO MUCH, I met some of the most brilliant, silly, gorgeous souls and what an amazing time we had together; I can't believe we're the same bunch of people from Class 1. Magic. You rule. THANK YOU."

✳︎

"Thank you, thank you, thank you. I appreciate your heart, energy, lessons, emotions and authenticity. You taught with enthusiasm and love. That’s a gift!"

✳︎

"You were wonderful, I think all of the classes really built on one another and everything came together by the end of the five weeks. It was just the right amount of information. I think the vibes of the class are really attributed to your energy and your own vulnerability and ability to give feedback but also make people feel inspired and empowered. Thank you."

✳︎

“After only a few classes Katrina was able to really see us, and I know I wasn't the only one who felt this way… For example, when I struggled with coming up with a monologue she somehow found one that was so perfectly me.”

✳︎

*“Katrina starts with a foundation. Local classes (usually) just have you do scenes and then give basic feedback regarding eyelines, volume, posture for lack of a better word. She hits on what we should all be working on - who are we speaking to, why are we saying what we're saying. It's as close to drama school instruction I've seen locally. Thank you!”

*

*“Her love of the craft shines, her energy and enthusiasm for sharing that love is palpable. The amount of work she has put into our class is appreciated.”

*

*“She creates a really safe space where I feel encouraged to put the work in. I feel after only a month I walk out of that class with more confidence and self- esteem.”

*

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a teacher explain and lead me through using my own personal experience in this way. I’ve found it much easier to connect to my monologue so far because of it and look forward to trying it for future auditions.”

"Katrina is a shiny diamond-- You have changed my life. I've been so inspired by your incredible energy and sheer passion for your craft! I learned SO MUCH, I met some of the most brilliant, silly, gorgeous souls and what an amazing time we had together; I can't believe we're the same bunch of people from Class 1. Magic. You rule. THANK YOU." ✳︎ "Thank you, thank you, thank you. I appreciate your heart, energy, lessons, emotions and authenticity. You taught with enthusiasm and love. That’s a gift!" ✳︎ "You were wonderful, I think all of the classes really built on one another and everything came together by the end of the five weeks. It was just the right amount of information. I think the vibes of the class are really attributed to your energy and your own vulnerability and ability to give feedback but also make people feel inspired and empowered. Thank you." ✳︎ “After only a few classes Katrina was able to really see us, and I know I wasn't the only one who felt this way… For example, when I struggled with coming up with a monologue she somehow found one that was so perfectly me.” ✳︎ “Katrina starts with a foundation. Local classes (usually) just have you do scenes and then give basic feedback regarding eyelines, volume, posture for lack of a better word. She hits on what we should all be working on - who are we speaking to, why are we saying what we're saying. It's as close to drama school instruction I've seen locally. Thank you!” “Her love of the craft shines, her energy and enthusiasm for sharing that love is palpable. The amount of work she has put into our class is appreciated.” “She creates a really safe space where I feel encouraged to put the work in. I feel after only a month I walk out of that class with more confidence and self- esteem.” “I don’t think I’ve ever had a teacher explain and lead me through using my own personal experience in this way. I’ve found it much easier to connect to my monologue so far because of it and look forward to trying it for future auditions.”