Students encouraged to let loose at drama studio
By MARK PAVILONS Editor

Ramona Milano

Walt Disney once said there's nothing funnier than the human animal. Tapping into the somewhat hidden talent pool in Bolton and transforming it into one of Nature's forces is the aim of a Bolton actress and instructor.

Gemini Award-nominated Ramona Milano just launched her dramatic studio, Suburban Vortex Productions, guiding teens who are interested in pursuing dramatic arts. Best known for her portrayal of the vocal and endearing Francesca Vecchio in four seasons on Due South, Milano is bringing her talents and experience to bear on some keen up-and-comers. Her classes for teens 13- 19 began Monday at Pope John Paul II School and continue through next June. While almost at capacity, Milano has room for a few more eager learners. If there's sufficient demand, she'd entertain offering a second night of classes.

For adult thespians itching for some guidance, Milano will offer a six-week adult introduction to drama session, running Oct. 17 through Nov. 28.

After six years teaching drama at Rumball Music Studios, Milano has seen her students grow and evolve. Many continue as her students at the new studio. Through those years, Milano said she discovered this

"vortex" of really talented people. She realized teaching teens was the "right fit" for her, and she often found travelling to Toronto for auditions to be a pain, rather than a joy.

It's these teens who have the potential to grasp the concepts she's teaching. Her approach is more of an allnatural way to foster selfexpression. She will help students tap into their own personal experiences and strengths and that will emerge as art.

Drawing from her own background and training, Milano will encourage students to take the information they need, combine it with imagination and instinct to bolster the creative spirit. She will concentrate on comedic and dramatic theatre, TV, film, improvisation and the basic tools necessary for auditioning purposes.

Milano said she loves the art of acting and she also loves teaching and inspiring youth. While many experts have debated the nature of talent, the reality is no one knows where it comes from. Milano noted like anything in life, you learn as long as you're interested. Her drama studio is not so much about formal instruction, but igniting a spark, a contagious enthusiasm. She freely admits she will get as much out of the classes as her students - we can all learn from each other.

"I absolutely learn from them," she said. "They inspire me and I inspire them."

The teens, she observed, are still "fresh" and she anticipates some high energy levels in the school gym. While teens may be at the point where they're being told about control and restraint, Milano will help them unleash their inhibitions. She jokingly warns parents their "drama queen" offspring will behave differently after being immersed in her classes.

Milano said she follows her old school instruction which concentrated on the craft, the art form, and not fame and fortune. In fact, it's well known that Canadian actors struggle to achieve a modicum of success. She's been quite lucky by Canadian standards, performing in the CBS mini-series The Last Don, as well as the movie Pushing Tin, starring Billy Bob Thornton and John Cusak. She's also appeared in popular series like Wild Card, Traders, The Relic Hunter and Earth: Final Conflict.

Her priorities changed when she became a mom and her career took a back seat. That doesn't mean she she's backing off at all. She still gets parts and offers and she's been working on her own pilot for a TV series for five years now. There is light at the end of the tunnel in this process, this "huge task."

"I'm excited as to where I'm headed," she says happily. And this new teaching venture is the epitome of her passion.

She hopes her students will gain an appreciation and better understanding of the craft, and have a lot of fun along the way. She wants the artistic energy to "run free."

If you'd like to learn more about her classes or Suburban Vortex Productions, contact Milano at 905-951-3859 or e-mail her at dags4@sympatico.ca.