

Visit our Programs page to register for Summer Art Camp 2025!
Enrollment is limited!
Reserve your spot today!
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Visit our Programs page to register for Summer Art Camp 2025! Enrollment is limited! Reserve your spot today! 〰️
BIG HEARTS little theatre is a performing arts company in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada providing dramatic arts education and performing arts opportunities to local artists and beyond. Artistic Director, Erin Newton, is a celebrated arts educator with over 20 years of experience as a teacher, director, choreographer, artist, and mentor. BIG HEARTS little theatre presents new works as well as licensed productions, and empowers artists to share their gifts through performance, training, and community service.
OUR PROGRAM PILLARS
Our Program is delivered using the following pillars of theatre education
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The foundations of artistry lie in creativity, originality, and personal expression, which are honed through exploration and spontaneity. On the other hand, an actor's technique is formed by clarity, intention, and analysis, developed through practice and skill-building. It is crucial to foster both Artistry and Technique holistically, ensuring equal focus on both elements.
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Artists grow, experiment, and uncover new skills when provided with supportive feedback and clear, focused guidance for their development. Confidence is nurtured through a compassionate, trauma-informed method that is personalized for each actor.
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We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming atmosphere that embraces mistakes along the creative journey and celebrates each milestone reached. Any rehearsal or training session with BIG HEARTS little theatre begins with a mindful transition into the creative space. Sharing theater with the community allows artists to recognize its profound influence while sharing theatre within the group, fosters connections and a feeling of unity.
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At BIG HEARTS little theatre, we consistently apply theory in practice. Since drama is a performance art, we offer frequent chances for our actors to showcase and refine their skills in various theatre spaces for diverse audiences.
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Having a working knowledge of Safe and Responsible Practices is essential for theatre practitioners to sustain a healthy, enduring engagement in theatre. Key aspects of the BIG HEARTS little theatre holistic approach to arts education and training include:
Respectfully establishing and upholding boundaries
Implementing physical and emotional safety practices
Advocating for industry change to systemically oppressive or outdated paradigms
We are the little theatre
with the BIG HEART
OUR PROGRAMS
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PERFORMANCE COMPANY
Our Performance Company is composed of actors and technicians who have completed an audition and been cast in our current production.
Read More about the Program Details -
TRAINING COMPANY
Our Training Company is composed of theatre artists who are keen to hone their craft through weekly lessons in performance technique, movement, and scene work.
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ACTING FUNDAMENTALS CLASSES
Our Acting Fundamentals classes are composed of young theatre artists who are keen to hone their craft through weekly lessons in performance technique, movement, characterization, and scene work.
Read More about the Program Details -
SUMMER CAMP
Our heART camp program will create opportunities for campers to explore singing, dancing, acting, visual arts, creative writing, acting- for-film, and hand sewing! We will also have daily outdoor time at the park on our street.
The week will culminate in a film screening and gallery tour of work created thoughout the week!
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YOGA
This class in intended for late teens and adults. Participants will be led through gentle poses in low light, with soft music. You will leave feeling deeply relaxed, calm, and ready for a good night’s rest.
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ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER HOURS OPPORTUNITIES
Other volunteer opportunities available with our Community Company may include ushering for BIG HEARTS little theatre performances, creating props, set and costumes, advertising, promotions, and community events.
AUDITIONS
Fall 2024
Munsch at Play
BIG HEARTS little theatre is proud to present Munsch at Play, a collection of 8 Robert Munsch Stories, adapted for stage by Irene Watts and creatively directed by Erin Newton.
Summer 2024
The-One-Act Play that Goes Wrong
BIG HEARTS little theatre is thrilled to be producing The One-Act Play that Goes Wrong, written by Henri Lewis, Jonathon Sayer, and Henry Shields and presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service under license from Mischief Worldwide Ltd. The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong is a hilarious comedy which will have people rolling in the aisles!
August 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, 2024
7:30 PM
The Zoetic
526 Concession St, Hamilton
Read what the press has to say about us!
Erin Newton, (she/her)
Artistic Director
Erin has trained in dance and theatre since childhood. During her early education, she received training at local dance and vocal studios, performed as a member of the McMaster Dancers, and took classes at Randolph Performing Arts in Toronto, Steps on Broadway, and the Broadway Dance Centre in NYC. Before pursuing a career in secondary education, she owned a successful chain of three dance studios for ten years.
Testimonials