Pacific Northwest · Summer 2026

Act. Pose.
Express.

A 3-day immersive workshop for kids & teens. Choose your pathway across acting, modelling, and dance — taught by working professionals. Walk away with portfolio images and the confidence that comes from doing it for real.

The Experience
3
days
6
stations
5–17
ages
Confidence looks good on you.
Act
Pose
Express
Believe
Show up
Expression Lab
Act
Pose
Express
Believe
Show up
Expression Lab
The Experience

Learn.
Create.
Shine.

Six stations across three days, spanning acting, modelling, and dance — each participant chooses two to focus on. Taught by professionals who’ve worked the runway, the red carpet, and the casting room.

STATION / 01
Acting

On Camera

Scene work, audition prep, and on-camera technique with industry professional Debs Howard. Real takes, real direction, real feedback.

STATION / 02
Modelling

Editorial Posing

Movement, posture, and editorial posing led by international model Therés Amee. Build comfort and presence in front of any lens.

STATION / 03
Modelling

Runway Walk

Walk, pace, pose at the mark. Runway technique and stage presence rooted in real fashion-week experience.

STATION / 04
Dance

Movement Foundations

Coordination, musicality, and expression through guided movement and improvisation — led by a professional dance instructor in a supportive, judgement-free space.

STATION / 05
Dance

Routine Building

Learn and perform a short choreographed routine — building rhythm, stage presence, and the pure joy of dancing as a group.

STATION / 06
Photo

Camera Day

Two photographers running simultaneously. Each participant leaves with one actor headshot, one beauty shot, and one full-body image — professionally edited.

Two age groups · 5–10 and 11–16
Female-runIndustry-ledLimited spots
Choose Your Pathway

Pick two.

Every participant chooses two disciplines to focus on — tailoring the workshop to what they love most. The confidence-building, mentorship, and on-camera work stay shared across all three.

Pathway

Acting + Modelling

Acting

On-camera scene work, audition technique, and performance.

Modelling

Editorial posing, runway technique, and presence on camera.

Pathway

Acting + Dance

Acting

On-camera scene work, audition technique, and performance.

Dance

Movement, choreography, and expression through dance.

Pathway

Dance + Modelling

Dance

Movement, choreography, and expression through dance.

Modelling

Editorial posing, runway technique, and presence on camera.

Available pathways vary by location — you’ll choose yours at checkout.

Every student receives

The whole experience.

Expression Lab isn’t a weekend of classes — it’s a complete experience. Here’s everything a student walks away with after their three days with us.

/01

Training in two pathways

Professional coaching in the two disciplines each student chooses — tailored to what they love most.

/02

Portfolio photography

Professional portfolio images shot around their selected pathways, edited and ready to use.

/03

A filmed mock audition

A professionally filmed mock audition to take home as part of their experience package.

/04

Confidence & industry education

Confidence-building and real industry knowledge woven through every day of the weekend.

/05

A personalized take-home package

A keepsake package put together for each student to carry the experience home with them.

/06

Certificate of Completion

An Expression Lab Certificate of Completion, presented on the final day.

/07

An individual recognition award

A personalized award celebrating the qualities, growth, and strengths we saw over the three days.

/08

Q&A Panel & Awards invitation

An invitation for parents to join our Industry Q&A Panel and Awards Celebration.

You'll walk away with

More than a portfolio.

Three professionally edited images. A filmed audition. Industry knowledge from women who've done the work. The kind of confidence that doesn't go back in the box on Sunday night.

/01
Actor Headshot
professionally edited
/02
Beauty Shot
editorial quality
/03
Full-Body Image
portfolio ready
/04
On-Camera Time
filmed with real direction
/05
Your Two Disciplines
acting, modelling or dance
/06
Industry Knowledge
how to book, show up & stand out
/07
Real Confidence
the kind that lasts
Schedule

3 days. Real skills and confidence.

Each day is built to compound on the last — preparation, practice, then a real on-camera execution. Everyone picks two of three disciplines (acting, modelling, or dance), and two age groups (5–10 and 11–16) run side by side with their own track.

Day 01
Foundations

Confidence-building and foundations across acting, modelling, and dance. Settle into the space, meet your cohort, and start building in the two disciplines you chose for your pathway.

What you'll do
  • Acting & performance fundamentals
  • On-camera technique 101
  • Modelling, posing & runway intro
  • Dance & movement foundations
  • Wardrobe guidance
Behind-the-scenes wardrobe and makeup preparation
Day 02
Train & Grow

A full training day in your two pathway disciplines — on-camera acting with Debs Howard, modelling, posing and runway with Therés Amee, and dance with Sarah Formosa.

What you'll do
  • On-camera acting (Debs Howard)
  • Modelling, posing & runway (Therés Amee)
  • Dance & choreography (Sarah Formosa)
  • Filmed mock auditions
  • Booking the job — industry insight
Young participant during a mock audition session
Day 03
Camera Day

Two photographers running simultaneously. Each participant receives one actor headshot, one beauty shot, and one full-body image — professionally edited and yours to keep.

What you'll do
  • 1 actor headshot
  • 1 beauty shot
  • 1 full body image
  • Professional editing & retouching
  • Parent wrap & industry guidance
Professional headshot photography session on Camera Day
The grand finale

Every student walks the red carpet.

Our Awards Celebration became one of the most meaningful moments of the entire weekend — a proper send-off, walked one student at a time.

  1. 1

    The red carpet

    Every student walks the red carpet — celebrated for showing up, growing, and giving it their all.

  2. 2

    Certificate of Completion

    Each student is presented with their Expression Lab Certificate of Completion.

  3. 3

    A personalized award

    A recognition award chosen for who they were all weekend — their qualities, growth, and strengths.

  4. 4

    Industry Q&A & celebration

    Parents join an Industry Q&A Panel and celebrate the weekend together with their child.

 Curtain call 
Confidence.
Connection.
Camera-ready.
Creativity.
Confidence.
Connection.
Camera-ready.
Creativity.
Meet your instructors

Taught by women who’ve done it.

Working professionals — actor, model, dancer, and creative director — leading every session. A female-run workshop building the next generation of confident, creative young people. All instructors and staff have completed criminal record checks.

Therés Amee
Modelling · Runway · Posing
Therés Amee
Modelling Director · Posing Coach

Over a decade in fashion across Vancouver, Toronto, New York and now Los Angeles. Former lead host of Vancouver Fashion Week (5 seasons) and a graduate of the Coco Rocha Model Camp. Walked New York, Paris, and London Fashion Weeks. Therés mentors young performers through Beayoutiful Foundation and Glam Z Gala, building a fun, supportive environment for movement and self-expression.

Instagram ↗
Debs Howard
Acting · On-Camera Performance
Debs Howard
Acting Coach · Performance Director

Debs Howard can most recently be seen in the highly anticipated feature film Die My Love opposite Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence, directed by Lynne Ramsay and produced by Martin Scorsese. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to a six minute standing ovation and critical acclaim. Debs played a pivotal supporting character whose scene became a standout moment of the film and was later featured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. On the television front, Howard has most recently guest starred on NBC's crime procedural drama The Hunting Party and Global's Private Eyes West Coast. In addition to her series work, she has led multiple Movies of the Week for major networks, including Hint of Love for W Network Hallmark, as well as The Proposal Spot and The Honeymoon Pact for Reel One Entertainment, delivering commanding lead performances across both romantic comedy and dramatic genres. Debs has received multiple acting award nominations, including a 2025 UBCP ACTRA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for a Movie of the Week, a 2016 Leo Award nomination for Best Lead Performance in a Motion Picture, and a 2019 FilmQuest nomination for Best Supporting Actress. With over a decade of professional experience in film and television, Debs is thrilled to share her knowledge and skills with emerging talent.

Instagram ↗
Sarah Formosa
Dance · Movement · Expression
Sarah Formosa
Dance Instructor

Sarah Formosa is a Vancouver-based choreographer, actor, and multidisciplinary movement artist whose career bridges film, television, and contemporary dance. She began her dance training at a young age and later continued her professional education at the prestigious Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program in San Francisco before returning to Vancouver to build a career spanning choreography, performance, and acting. As a choreographer, Sarah has led movement for Hallmark productions Cowboy Christmas and Texas Two Step, and has worked as an Associate or Assistant Choreographer on feature films including Riding Shotgun, Trap (Warner Bros.), and Joy Ride. She has also choreographed music videos including Euphoria and continues to create movement for film, television, and original productions. As an actor, Sarah has appeared in productions for Netflix, Hallmark, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Disney, NBC, Lifetime, Amazon Prime, and more. Recent credits include Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, Wild Cards, Untamed, Return to Office, Happy Howlidays, and Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. Sarah’s background as both a performer and choreographer gives her a unique understanding of storytelling through movement, allowing her to bring depth, precision, and creativity to every project she undertakes.

Instagram ↗
The kind of weekend where a kid walks in unsure and walks out certain.
— Rachel M., parent · Victoria, BC
Investment

Reserve your spot.

Pricing and early-bird options revealed at checkout. Limited spots available.

The Heart Behind it
This is more than a workshop. It's a movement.

A fully female-run team spread across cities, building something that travels. We create space for the next generation of confident, creative, fearless young women and men — bringing professional training to them wherever they are. Built by women who have been in the room, on the runway, and on the call sheet.

Questions

For the parents?

Absolutely. No prior experience is required — just a willingness to learn and participate. We meet kids exactly where they are and build confidence through doing.

Each participant picks two of three disciplines to focus on — Acting + Modelling, Acting + Dance, or Dance + Modelling — so the workshop fits what your child loves most. The confidence-building, mentorship, and on-camera work are shared across everyone. Available pathways can vary by location, and you choose yours at checkout.

Both groups run simultaneously with their own dedicated track. Curriculum is age-appropriate, but every participant gets the same instructors, the same photo package, and the same on-camera experience.

Three professionally edited final images: one actor headshot, one beauty image, and one full-body shot. Two photographers run simultaneously on Camera Day so every participant gets focused attention.

Day 3 ends with a parent wrap and industry-guidance session. During training and shoot days, the space is reserved for participants and instructors so kids can fully step into the experience without performing for the room.

Each workshop has its own venue — the full address and dates are shown on the event when you register, and a welcome packet with all the details is sent to registered families ahead of their workshop.

Full refund up to 30 days before the workshop. Inside 30 days, the spot can be transferred to another participant. Email us at hello@expressionlab.ca for anything outside this window.

Yes. All Expression Lab instructors and staff have completed criminal record checks before working with participants. The safety and well-being of every child in our program is our first priority.

No. Expression Lab is a workshop and training experience. Participants leave with images and skills — there are no agency contracts, fees, or representation involved.