INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
Susan Bertoia is a gifted teacher with a unique and distinct enthusiasm and a direct and immediate approach to the work: physical dramaturgy indeed. I am always left inspired and her work has transferred to my approach to theatre in education in real and specific ways - share it with your friends, follow your nose, look/look/look specificity with physical phrasing punctuated by sterling moments of distinct and transferable specifics. She follows the emergent curriculum by working quickly and efficiently with the people in front of her to provide what they maybe didn’t even know they needed. Her playful and articulate attention to detail is fast paced and authentic and has informed my practice deeply. Susan has a way of distilling and integrating her diverse influences into very immediate theatrical moments of pleasure, presence and purpose. Do yourself and your students a favour and hire her to work with you today.
Jason Donaldson, Drama Specialist at Gulf Island School of Performing Arts, 2022
Susan Bertoia is a teacher who inspires learning. Not a moment goes wasted in any workshop, class or rehearsal led by Susan! Working with her is constant play. She fosters an environment where taking risks isn't scary, but instead, so so very rewarding. Susan has taught me the role and power my body has in storytelling, and that no matter how profound the work I'm doing is, it is still possible to have fun every step of the way!
Erin Purghart, Theatre Artist & UBC BFA in Acting Grad, 2021
Susan is a wonderful artist and theatre educator. She has a drive and passion for excellence in the performing arts that gets her students engaged in developing ensemble and devising theatre. Susan's Devising Theatre Intensive at our BC Provincial Thespian Festival enriched the festival experience for our students immensely.
Craig Wrotniak, Provincial Chapter Director of BC Thespians (BC Educational Theatre Association), 2020
Susan is such an inspiration! Her passion for creating bold theatrical experiences is exciting, energizing and focused. Her keen attention to detail and commitment to exploration of the art form ignites such beautiful artistry. It was such a benefit to have Susan as one of the artists involved in REWIRE. She is a great collaborator, amazing artist and I believe her to be a true asset to any theatre project.
Valerie Methot, Executive/Artistic Director of Some Assembly Theatre Company, 2020
Thank you for an amazing (and friggen exhausting) weekend of training and inspiration. I had a really fun time at the workshop and felt it woke up a lot of dormant passion and muscle memory. The masks session was really well facilitated. Your focus on precision and training was really well empahasized and scaffolded in. I had a good sense of where I can grow and improve in my own play. It had been at least five years since I had been with mask in a workshop context and it was a great kick in the butt.
Laen Hershler, MFA in Theatre & Professional Theatre Artist, 2020
Jason Donaldson, Drama Specialist at Gulf Island School of Performing Arts, 2022
Susan Bertoia is a teacher who inspires learning. Not a moment goes wasted in any workshop, class or rehearsal led by Susan! Working with her is constant play. She fosters an environment where taking risks isn't scary, but instead, so so very rewarding. Susan has taught me the role and power my body has in storytelling, and that no matter how profound the work I'm doing is, it is still possible to have fun every step of the way!
Erin Purghart, Theatre Artist & UBC BFA in Acting Grad, 2021
Susan is a wonderful artist and theatre educator. She has a drive and passion for excellence in the performing arts that gets her students engaged in developing ensemble and devising theatre. Susan's Devising Theatre Intensive at our BC Provincial Thespian Festival enriched the festival experience for our students immensely.
Craig Wrotniak, Provincial Chapter Director of BC Thespians (BC Educational Theatre Association), 2020
Susan is such an inspiration! Her passion for creating bold theatrical experiences is exciting, energizing and focused. Her keen attention to detail and commitment to exploration of the art form ignites such beautiful artistry. It was such a benefit to have Susan as one of the artists involved in REWIRE. She is a great collaborator, amazing artist and I believe her to be a true asset to any theatre project.
Valerie Methot, Executive/Artistic Director of Some Assembly Theatre Company, 2020
Thank you for an amazing (and friggen exhausting) weekend of training and inspiration. I had a really fun time at the workshop and felt it woke up a lot of dormant passion and muscle memory. The masks session was really well facilitated. Your focus on precision and training was really well empahasized and scaffolded in. I had a good sense of where I can grow and improve in my own play. It had been at least five years since I had been with mask in a workshop context and it was a great kick in the butt.
Laen Hershler, MFA in Theatre & Professional Theatre Artist, 2020
STUDENTS
Drama Students at Rockridge Secondary, West Vancouver 2025
… the way Susan encouraged vulnerability really stuck with me. She made the space feel safe enough to try things without fear of messing up, and that made the whole experience so much more meaningful.”
“The workshop was extremely encouraging, supporting, engaging and enchanting."
Susan made connections with each one of us through this series of interesting and engaging activities. It felt as if she was speaking to you, not to your entire group… it felt very personal. She made you feel engaged and excited and important.”
"… Susan presented the things we were focusing on was very intuitive. It felt silly yet natural, and I appreciate that the learning was mostly kinetic rather than written or spoken.”
“The Bertoia Method did not just teach me techniques, it taught me to commit to being open-minded and greet new opportunities with curiosity. Susan educated us to utilize our creativity, and approach theatre with playfulness and determination. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone who is willing to engage in incorporating storytelling and expressing body and voice passionately and genuinely.”
“Susan’s workshop honestly opened me up in a way I didn’t expect. Her energy made the whole room feel alive, and she helped me push past my own limits in the most encouraging way. It was inspiring and so much fun.”
“Attending Susan's drama workshop was an incredible experience! I learned so much about the power of body language in storytelling, from how subtle shifts in posture can communicate emotions to how different types of movement bring depth to a character. Susan's approach to teaching body positions and facial expressions was both insightful and hands-on, making it easy to apply to my own performances. I now feel much more confident in my ability to bring a character to life through physicality.”
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From the first day of class to opening night of our show, Susan brought an incredible energy to the studio that we were able to lift off from to explore how far we can truly go as artists. Watching how she poured her soul out over the work allowed me to witness a level of dedication I haven’t encountered before. Susan offers gifts through her words that leave you feeling inspired and in awe of the power of storytelling. Getting to learn from someone who is so full of play and purpose was liberating and transformed my artistic process deeply. Susan is a living reminder of the magic in theatre and what it can do for the world. With gratitude,
Japnaam Sarang, UBC BFA student, 2024
Susan is an experienced storyteller and instructor. She generously shares with us her experience, and helps us understand the history of Commedia dell’arte in the easiest and most entertaining way possible. She prepares us efficiently for a performance and makes use of all our talents when us students barely know each other. I am more than grateful to be under her guidance and direction for my first ever public performance in Canada.
Isaac Leung, Commedia Masterclass student, 2022
Susan is a playful, knowledgeable, and kind teacher who is deeply passionate about the spirit of Commedia Dell’Arte. Her teaching reflects this, and invites participants to dive in, without feeling like masks and Commedia Dell’Arte are a world apart from theirs. She provided engagement and fostered collaboration across experience levels in our group.
Nico Pante, Commedia Masterclass student, 2022
It was a blast working with Susan! From the beginning, she had us up and moving, teaching us movement elements I never considered in acting. I especially loved how she encouraged us to get out of our comfort zone and test new ideas, even if we thought our idea was absurd. At the end of our session, I had a better understanding of how we can use our bodies to tell a story.
Student from Palmer Secondary, Richmond BC , 2022
She made me think about the 'moment before' of each character when I was wearing a mask. She prepped us before we turned around so we were able to start strong. It made me think about getting into character differently.
Student from Langley Fine Arts School, 2022
Susan’s quick-thinking and creative mind is genius. Her dramatic flare and comedic skill are nearly as wonderful as her upbeat personality.
Student from Gulf Islands School of Performing Arts, 2022
forgot about my physical limitations!
Drama Teacher participant of Fun, Focus, No Apologies workshop, 2015
… the way Susan encouraged vulnerability really stuck with me. She made the space feel safe enough to try things without fear of messing up, and that made the whole experience so much more meaningful.”
“The workshop was extremely encouraging, supporting, engaging and enchanting."
Susan made connections with each one of us through this series of interesting and engaging activities. It felt as if she was speaking to you, not to your entire group… it felt very personal. She made you feel engaged and excited and important.”
"… Susan presented the things we were focusing on was very intuitive. It felt silly yet natural, and I appreciate that the learning was mostly kinetic rather than written or spoken.”
“The Bertoia Method did not just teach me techniques, it taught me to commit to being open-minded and greet new opportunities with curiosity. Susan educated us to utilize our creativity, and approach theatre with playfulness and determination. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone who is willing to engage in incorporating storytelling and expressing body and voice passionately and genuinely.”
“Susan’s workshop honestly opened me up in a way I didn’t expect. Her energy made the whole room feel alive, and she helped me push past my own limits in the most encouraging way. It was inspiring and so much fun.”
“Attending Susan's drama workshop was an incredible experience! I learned so much about the power of body language in storytelling, from how subtle shifts in posture can communicate emotions to how different types of movement bring depth to a character. Susan's approach to teaching body positions and facial expressions was both insightful and hands-on, making it easy to apply to my own performances. I now feel much more confident in my ability to bring a character to life through physicality.”
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From the first day of class to opening night of our show, Susan brought an incredible energy to the studio that we were able to lift off from to explore how far we can truly go as artists. Watching how she poured her soul out over the work allowed me to witness a level of dedication I haven’t encountered before. Susan offers gifts through her words that leave you feeling inspired and in awe of the power of storytelling. Getting to learn from someone who is so full of play and purpose was liberating and transformed my artistic process deeply. Susan is a living reminder of the magic in theatre and what it can do for the world. With gratitude,
Japnaam Sarang, UBC BFA student, 2024
Susan is an experienced storyteller and instructor. She generously shares with us her experience, and helps us understand the history of Commedia dell’arte in the easiest and most entertaining way possible. She prepares us efficiently for a performance and makes use of all our talents when us students barely know each other. I am more than grateful to be under her guidance and direction for my first ever public performance in Canada.
Isaac Leung, Commedia Masterclass student, 2022
Susan is a playful, knowledgeable, and kind teacher who is deeply passionate about the spirit of Commedia Dell’Arte. Her teaching reflects this, and invites participants to dive in, without feeling like masks and Commedia Dell’Arte are a world apart from theirs. She provided engagement and fostered collaboration across experience levels in our group.
Nico Pante, Commedia Masterclass student, 2022
It was a blast working with Susan! From the beginning, she had us up and moving, teaching us movement elements I never considered in acting. I especially loved how she encouraged us to get out of our comfort zone and test new ideas, even if we thought our idea was absurd. At the end of our session, I had a better understanding of how we can use our bodies to tell a story.
Student from Palmer Secondary, Richmond BC , 2022
She made me think about the 'moment before' of each character when I was wearing a mask. She prepped us before we turned around so we were able to start strong. It made me think about getting into character differently.
Student from Langley Fine Arts School, 2022
Susan’s quick-thinking and creative mind is genius. Her dramatic flare and comedic skill are nearly as wonderful as her upbeat personality.
Student from Gulf Islands School of Performing Arts, 2022
forgot about my physical limitations!
Drama Teacher participant of Fun, Focus, No Apologies workshop, 2015
TEACHERS
Susan helped to take our new work to the next level - even through ZOOM! She quickly connected to the students and the work. She took what we had, honoured the choices that had been made, and offered fabulous new ones that helped push us into new places. I am so thrilled we took this opportunity to work with Susan through a digital platform.
Lana O'Brien, Teacher at Vernon Secondary School, 2021
Susan's work is always real & raw. She takes participants on a journey to create stories from authentic movement that is emotional and truthful beyond words. Her work will continue to be influential with my students and in my teaching.
Lindsay Mitchell, Drama Teacher at Langley Fine Arts School, 2019
Even though the work is often quite physical in nature, the complexity of movement is simple enough for most performers. As opposed to choreography, which sometimes is less expressible for someone like me with two left feet, anyone can keep up with the level of movement. Now, whether your energy level can keep up is another thing. Susan is a ball of energy and will keep you or your students active and on the move.
Glen Pope, High school Drama Teacher, 2019
We loved our time with Susan Bertoia. We only wish it could have been longer! Susan spent a week in residence working with senior theatre students from two high schools on Vancouver Island. Susan is energetic, passionate, and has a real zest for movement and mask. She engaged all students in active, meaningful, powerful and creative work. Our time together was collaborative, informative, inspiring and tremendously fun!
Lisa Williams, Drama Teacher at Highland Secondary School, 2018
Lana O'Brien, Teacher at Vernon Secondary School, 2021
Susan's work is always real & raw. She takes participants on a journey to create stories from authentic movement that is emotional and truthful beyond words. Her work will continue to be influential with my students and in my teaching.
Lindsay Mitchell, Drama Teacher at Langley Fine Arts School, 2019
Even though the work is often quite physical in nature, the complexity of movement is simple enough for most performers. As opposed to choreography, which sometimes is less expressible for someone like me with two left feet, anyone can keep up with the level of movement. Now, whether your energy level can keep up is another thing. Susan is a ball of energy and will keep you or your students active and on the move.
Glen Pope, High school Drama Teacher, 2019
We loved our time with Susan Bertoia. We only wish it could have been longer! Susan spent a week in residence working with senior theatre students from two high schools on Vancouver Island. Susan is energetic, passionate, and has a real zest for movement and mask. She engaged all students in active, meaningful, powerful and creative work. Our time together was collaborative, informative, inspiring and tremendously fun!
Lisa Williams, Drama Teacher at Highland Secondary School, 2018
PARENTS
Susan Bertoia is an incredibly gifted actor/director/creator. She has worked with my children for over 7 years now, creating and producing children's theatre and I am continually blown away by the ingenuity of her work. She manages to create magical and beautiful theatre with limited time, space and resources and provided invaluable and much needed opportunities for kids to be a part of a creative and performing experience. If you have the opportunity to work with Susan Bertoia, don't hesitate!
Laura Crema, Jazz Singer & parent to 2 amazing kids, 2018
Laura Crema, Jazz Singer & parent to 2 amazing kids, 2018