MUSIC & MOVEMENT MASTERCLASS: Embodying Character Through Song with Sabrina Merks, Education Assistant, Shaw Festival
- Apr 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 28
DETAILS:
Youth Session (Ages 13 – 17): Saturday, June 27, 2026 10am to 4pm
Adult Session (Ages 18+): Sunday June 28, 2026 10am to 4pm
Location: The South Simcoe Theatre, 1 Hamilton Street, Cookstown
Cost: Youth Session: Participants $50. Auditors $25
Adult Session: Participants $100. Auditors $50
*Subsidies may be available upon request.
Minimum Number of Participants: 5 Maximum: 12
No limit to those who wish to audit the session
ABOUT THE MASTERCLASS: How does music shape character? And how can movement help an artist feel fully present in their body while performing? This masterclass explores the relationship between music, physicality, and character development. Together, we will examine how musical cues — rhythm, phrasing, tempo, and tone — can reveal a character’s inner world and guide performance choices. Participants will also be introduced to practical movement techniques designed to help performers feel grounded, connected, and fully embodied in their work. The session begins with a lecture offering insights and tools that artists can apply directly to their own material. Following this, participants may choose to put these ideas into practice by signing up for a 15-minute working slot, where they will perform a short piece and receive feedback and coaching. Participants are welcome to attend in one of two ways:
Active Participants**: Attend the lecture and sign up for a 15-minute slot to work on a piece and receive feedback.
Auditors: Attend the lecture and observe the working session, gaining insights through discussion and shared learning.
**For those participating in the active working session, please prepare a 1–2 minute selection from a song you feel confident and connected to. This will allow us to explore how music and movement can deepen your connection to the character and strengthen your performance. Details on accompaniment will be available closer to the date, however bringing a backing track is encouraged. This class is designed for performers interested in discovering new ways to unlock character, physical presence, and storytelling through music and movement.
What to Bring / Wear:
Indoor shoes and comfortable clothes that allow for movement – layers are advisable as the temperature inside the theatre at this time of year is unpredictable.
Water and lunch or a snack
Paper / pen for note taking (optional)
How to Register: Registration is first come first served. Please send an email to education@thesouthsimcoetheatre.com with your full name, class for which you are registering (youth or adult), whether you will be an active participant or auditor, email and a cell phone number. Once your registration is confirmed by return email, you may send your registration fee via e-transfer to boxoffice@thesouthsimcoetheatre.com REGISTRATION CLOSES ON JUNE 17, 2026.
Bio - Sabrina Merks (they/them) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist, director, choreographer, performer, educator, and arts administrator. They currently serve as Education Assistant at the Shaw Festival and hold a Bachelor’s in Musical Theatre from Queen’s University (Honours) and an Advanced Diploma in Musical Theatre Performance (Honours) from St. Lawrence College. Sabrina’s work is guided by curiosity, collaboration, and a belief in the power of theatre to inspire connection and change.
Sabrina has spent the past seven years developing a style rooted in character-driven movement and physical storytelling. Their directing and choreography highlight the individuality of each performer while weaving together strong, ensemble-based narratives. As a creator, they have developed site-specific productions, collective creations, and augmented reality experiences, as well as co-created both a one-woman opera and their first children’s opera, The Legend of Kempenfelt Kelly. These projects reflect Sabrina’s commitment to bold, innovative storytelling that embraces both tradition and experimentation.
As an educator, Sabrina has led workshops for students from elementary through university, even lifelong learners, covering acting, movement, voice, and devised theatre. Their teaching style emphasizes inclusivity, confidence-building, and play, creating spaces where participants feel safe to take risks and grow. At the Shaw Festival, Sabrina curates and facilitates educational programs that connect students with professional theatre, while also designing workshops that adapt to diverse skill levels and needs. They are dedicated to empowering students and artists to nurture the next generation of creative voices.
Sabrina has performed in musicals, plays, devised works, sketch comedies, commercials, film/tv and operas. They create compelling performances to watch, bringing warmth, openness, and expressive physicality to every role alongside a bold, unshakable groundedness. They approach performance as an act of truth-seeking—uncovering the authentic heart of each character and defending that character’s right to exist fully, unapologetically, and with dignity. Currently Sabrina performs weekly in Calamus Estate Winery’s Speakeasy Lounge.
Sabrina’s practice is grounded in accessibility, mentorship, and community. Whether directing, teaching, or performing, they approach every project with generosity and imagination, striving to create work that empowers others and sparks meaningful connections. Their ultimate goal is simple but profound: to remind people of the transformative potential of the arts—one workshop, one rehearsal, one performance, and one conversation at a time.
