ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Actor: Inside the Role is an innovative foundational acting program in Montréal designed by acting coach Isabel Lehoux, who brings over 15 years of professional experience. Built on recent research in neuropsychology, somatic practices, and biomechanics, the workshop integrates these disciplines with acting craft and storytelling. This modern, holistic approach helps actors develop technique, presence, and the ability to connect authentically. Whether you’re stepping into acting for the first time or have a few years of experience without formal training, this program gives you the tools and confidence to grow as an artist.
WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?
EMERGING ACTORS (Beginners are welcome!)
For emerging actors in Montréal with some experience but no formal training, The Actor: Inside the Role takes the guesswork out of preparing for your characters and discovering the story within the script. In this innovative workshop, you’ll deepen your understanding of acting, storytelling, and scene work while building the skills to become an active collaborator in the creative process rather than an actor who needs to be guided by the hand. Beginners are also welcome. This program lays a strong foundation you can grow with as your skills develop.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM THIS PROGRAM
General Information
How Does Class Work?
Each week, you’ll experience a balance of theory, exercises, and application so you’re not just learning concepts, but putting them into practice right away.
Theory: Explore fundamental principles drawn from acting traditions, neuropsychology, and somatic practices that strengthen presence and creative flow.
Practice: Through targeted exercises, you’ll engage your full instrument: body, voice, mind, and heart, building awareness of how each shapes your acting.
Application: Apply what you’ve learned directly to monologue and scene work, integrating the tools to expand your range and deepen your craft.
This rhythm ensures you leave each class with both practical skills and lived experience, and you'll be able to carry these tools onto stage, set, or audition.
The Mind
Week 1: The Creative Mindset
Before stepping into any acting work, you’ll learn how to shift your mind into creative mode. We’ll explore the traps and obstacles that hold actors back, and how the mind can either sabotage your work or carry you toward success. You’ll discover practical tools to quiet inner resistance and activate a mindset that supports creativity, presence, and authentic connection.
Week 2: Script Analysis
Great acting begins with a clear understanding of the script: What is it, and how do I explore it? This week, you’ll learn how to break down a script and uncover what truly drives a scene. We’ll look at technical aspects such as punctuation, beats, acts, interpretation, and more. Most importantly, we’ll explore how to find the heart of the story. Through practice with real scripts, you’ll develop both technical tools and intuitive techniques that guide you in bringing the text fully to life.
The Body & Voice
Weeks 3: The Body & Voice
An actor needs an instrument, body and voice, that is finely tuned to tell stories. The body and voice materialize the abstract essence of characters, revealing how they move, speak, feel, and exist in the world. This week you'll learn how to free, strengthen, and expand your instrument. We’ll connect breath to movement, explore physical transformation, and tune the voice for clarity, resonance, and authenticity. You’ll discover how the way a character walks, speaks, and carries themselves tells a story before a single line is spoken.
Weeks 4: Sensory Perception
Great acting requires heightened perception: the ability to fully take in the space, the people, and the world of the scene, whether in real life or in your imagination. This week, we’ll sharpen your sensory awareness through exercises that expand your ability to use your senses to compose character and story. You’ll learn how to translate sensory input into storytelling. By deepening sensory awareness, you’ll elevate your ability to bring the script to life, compose character intuitively, and tell amazing stories in unique ways.
The Heart
Weeks 5: Connection
Connection is the primary focus every actor should have. If you were given a scene on the spot with no time to prepare, the one thing you should focus on is your connection with your scene partner. Forget trying to “figure it out” or overanalyze the lines, you wouldn't have enough time to embody those ideas and experiences. Stories happen in the moment when you have the courage to be present with another human being, and when you truly connect with another human being, you’ll find the heart of the story.
This week, we’ll focus on connecting fully with your partner and the story. You’ll learn to listen deeply, respond truthfully, and let the dynamic between you and others shape the moment.
Through guided exercises and scene work, you’ll move beyond self-conscious performance into genuine exchange. Connection is what transforms acting from delivering lines into transcendental experiences.
Week 6: Integration
In this final week, you’ll bring all of these elements together through monologue and scene work. This is where theory, practice, and application converge; where you test yourself, stretch further, and embody the role with everything you’ve gained.
You’ll receive personalized coaching and feedback to help you integrate your process and discover your own method, one you can carry with you onto stage, set, or audition with confidence.
Week 6 is about stepping fully into the role, experiencing how these tools work together, and leaving with a clearer, stronger sense of yourself as an actor and storyteller.
How does Inside The Role Acting Program Work?
Trainings happen once a week for 6 weeks at the studio for in person classes.
Here's what you get:
The Core three pillars of Inside The Role Acting Training: Mind, body and Heart.
Meticulously prepared for you exercises, resources and templates.
Access to a dedicated acting coach.
Plus...
Access to future program upgrades.
Membership to free video lessons, blog, and newsletter.
Lifetime ISA membership.
Is Inside The Role: The Actor's Foundation Program Right For Me?
Inside The Role is tailor-made for passionate, forward-thinking actors with an incurable love for acting who are tired of the frustration that comes with second-guessing their craft. If you've ever found yourself endlessly analyzing scripts, seeking validation from industry professionals, or struggling to breathe life into your characters, then this program is your beacon of artistic empowerment.
Whether you're an aspiring actor just beginning your journey or a emerging professional with some years of experience, this program will elevate your craft by focusing on your core abilities. No more stumbling in rehearsals, feeling lost on the set or stage, or attempting to force emotions on cue. Inside The Role is your gateway to mastering the essentials of acting and transforming your performances into captivating works of art. Join us if you're ready to confidently step into the spotlight and ignite your acting career.
YES, Inside The Role acting program
is right for you if...
You are an aspiring actor, whether just embarking on your journey or already with some experience, who has explored various acting techniques and want to jump from technical excellency to mastery.
You constantly over-analyze the script and the character, often disregarding your instincts and intuition, finding yourself seeking approval from casting directors, directors and scene partners, wishing you could guess what they’re looking for.
You struggle to prepare for a role or find the heart of the character.
Your rehearsals feel mechanical and you feel lost and insecure in your performances.
You worry about expressing your character convincingly and try to act out emotions at predetermined moments, thinking that's when your character should feel them.
Have no idea how to connect to your intuition, feels confused about the difference between an idea and an impulse.
Program Overview
Presenting our transformative program meticulously crafted to provide you with a rock-solid and comprehensive foundation, propelling your acting journey to new heights and helping you become an extraordinary actor. This immersive experience is a voyage of self-discovery, destined to reshape your path in the world of acting.
MODULE 1
The Mind
Mind Faculties and Script Reading - Meeting Your Inner Genius
In this foundational module, embark on a captivating journey into your mental faculties, where we explore six fundamental elements: Reasoning, Willpower, Memory, Sensory Perception, Imagination, and Intuition. Here, you'll become adept at harnessing these faculties during your initial script readings and explorations with the character, forging an immediate and profound connection with the story and its characters.
When you first encounter a script, your mind is most engaged and receptive, and we'll teach you how to take advantage of this potential effectively. Through immersive exercises, you will uncover the intricacies of your unique mental faculties in relationship to acting and script reading. This self-awareness empowers you to apply your strengths more effectively, providing a distinct advantage on your acting journey. Guided by Isabel, you'll navigate specially designed exercises for each faculty, gaining a deeper understanding of your cognitive processes.
By mastering your mind faculties, you'll gain unparalleled insight into characters and scripts, giving you the edge to deliver extraordinary performances while embarking on a journey of profound self-discovery.
MODULE 2
The Body
Body and Character -
Transcending The Script
Once you've immersed yourself in the script, it's time to embody the character and get ready to express your experiences of the story through your body.
This module teaches you how to integrate mind and body beyond mere memorization and mechanical performances. You will learn to breathe life into every movement and gesture. Discover several access points that help you tap into the authenticity of your character, ensuring your portrayal goes beyond expectations.
We'll cover essential aspects such as recognizing and working with oppositions within your body, tapping into creative energy, expressing energy and sound through your voice, understanding range for each character, presence, focus and more. Armed with this knowledge, you will forge a profound connection with your character, captivating audiences with your authentic portrayal.
MODULE 3
The Heart
Heart of the Story -
Forging Deep and Meaningful Connections
In this culminating module, we merge the wisdom from modules 1 and 2, creating a profound embodiment of your character's essence and the story. It's a journey into the heart of human relationships, teaching you to be fully present in your body and to channel boundless creative energy from your heart for mesmerizing connections. With these skills, you'll connect deeply with other characters, transcending the limitations of the physical realm.
But that's not all. You'll also become a master of energy focus, seamlessly adapting to different frames – whether in a wide-shot, medium-shot, or close-up – thus perfecting your on-screen presence (or stage). This transformative experience will captivate your audience and your scene partners on an unforgettable journey, forging connections that transcend the boundaries of the screen. Ultimately, you will embrace the extraordinary version of yourself that has always been within you, bringing hope, inspiration, and transformation to those who watch your stories.
Meet Your Acting Coach
Isabel Lehoux
ISA's Founder & Acting Coach
Isabel Lehoux is a distinguished Brazilian-Canadian acting coach with a renowned reputation in the entertainment industry as an acting coach. She is a professional actor and member of ACTRA (The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) and CAEA (The Canadian Actors' Equity Association), and she also has extensive experience as a stage and film director and script consultant. Her journey is marked by exceptional talent and a wealth of knowledge and experience. Isabel is more than a coach; she is a beacon of inspiration for aspiring actors, serving as a trusted guide and mentor. Her coaching style is a harmonious blend of experience, technical expertise, and an empathetic touch, providing actors with not just a roadmap but a nurturing environment to explore their creative potential.
As ISA's founder and Straeon Acting Studios' co-founder, Isabel's profound influence and expertise has been instrumental in shaping numerous successful acting careers.
Isabel's unique gift lies in her intuitive connection with her clients. She tailors her coaching approach to the specific needs of each individual, ensuring a transformative and highly personalized acting journey.
Isabel's commitment to her craft led her to create the program "Inside the Role: The Actor's Foundation to Extraordinary Storytelling." This endeavour was born from years of dedicated coaching and a relentless pursuit of understanding the inner workings of actors. She observed that some effortlessly harnessed their imagination and intuition while others struggled. This observation led her to explore the realms of acting, psychology, neuroscience, and self-development, as well as a comprehensive understanding of body language.
The result of Isabel's extensive research and heartfelt dedication is the workshop "Inside the Role," a holistic program addressing not only the technical aspects of acting but also the barriers that can hinder creative expression. Isabel's goal is to empower actors to break free from limitations, reach their true potential, and embark on a transformative journey toward becoming extraordinary storytellers. Through this program, she generously shares her invaluable insights, acquired through years of unwavering devotion to the art of acting, guiding and inspiring actors on their path to excellence.
IMAGINE BEING SO DEEPLY CONNECTED TO YOUR CHARACTER AND SCENE PARTNER THAT THE STORY JUST FLOWS THROUGH YOU?
This Program Will...
EMPOWER you to become an extraordinary storyteller by developing the essential foundation acting skills that transcend mere acting techniques bringing you to intuitive mastery and taking your performances to a whole new level. We’ll guide you in immersing yourself fully into your character's experience through the connection of your instrument - mind, body, and heart - so that the story flows through you with authenticity and the power of your creativity.
CONNECT you with your intuitive process from the very first step, reading the script, allowing you to trust your instincts instead of over-analyzing the story and character. By embracing your intuitive approach, you'll bring depth and authenticity to your performances, making you stand out as an actor who brings unique interpretations to each role. You’ll go from feeling insecure and trying to guess what the casting director, director, or scene partner wants to instead connecting to your character so deeply that you reveal who this character really is. This shift will transform you into an invaluable creative collaborator in any production.
PREPARE yourself to use your instrument: body, mind and heart, to delve inside your character’s experience. You’re an instrument that has played you all your life, but that’s not the full extent of your range. Our program will guide you to tap into your character’s energy and express that energy through your instrument, allowing you to play beyond your range. The character will play through you - your body, voice, mind, and heart will express the essence of your character. You’ll no longer struggle to prepare, instead you’ll feel confident exploring out of your comfort zone, diving deep into the heart of the story and authentically bringing forth the character’s life through your instrument.
INTEGRATE your instrument: Mind, body and Heart, for electrifying connections with your scene partner. We’ll guide you to embrace exploration and trust your creativity, leaving insecurity behind. Your rehearsals will transform into thrilling performances of discovery and exploration with your scene partner where you can fully embody the character and story. Each new take of your scene will feel alive and in the moment like it’s never been done before.
TRANSCEND your expectations of when your character should feel emotions and instead foster such a deep connection with your scene partner that you express authentic emotional reactions in the moment. You’ll develop a profound understanding of the story on an experiential level, allowing your emotional expressions to arise genuinely in the moment. By being present and connected with your scene partner, you’ll be surprised by the authenticity and depth of emotions that occur naturally during your performances.
