AACE - Acting Coaches and Educators Conference 2026

The Association of Acting Coaches and Educators (AACE) is hosting another incomparable one day event in the heart of Toronto. This year's theme is JOY with two sub-themes: BOUNDARIES & TECHNOLOGY. The event will include a diverse range of hands-on workshops, panels, guest speakers, and networking events with a set program available via Zoom. All this culminates in an industry wide party with a Brooklyn Pizza dinner. There may be dancing!

In 2023, the inaugural AACE Conference brought acting educators and coaches from across the nation together in community, to learn new skills for their respect-based teaching practice from some of the most highly skilled and experienced instructors/experts in Canada.

AACE is an industry supported association and continues to grow with more than 165 members from across the world. AACE members have made a positive commitment to work together to educate, support each other and create safer work environments for both students and coaches. AACE's mandate is to build a community of respect-based coaches and educators, establish standards for acting training and offer sector-specific education.

Note: This conference is for individuals who teach and train actors: private coaches, independent studios, instructors at colleges and universities, individuals who train actors professionally, pre-professionally, or otherwise.

Why is AACE presenting this conference?

The acting training environment is a very specific subsect of teaching because inherent in the craft is the exploration of the self which requires deeply personal connections. Educators and coaches need to hone their teaching craft to encourage actors to be brave and feel safe enough to be vulnerable. Part of AACE's mandate is to help coaches and educators find courses, workshops, seminars, lectures, podcasts and any other sector-specific and additional educational opportunities to help them fulfill their AACE commitment to ongoing education.

What is an AACE member?

AACE Members have committed to ongoing sector-specific education as well as signing the AACE Code of Conduct, which is a set of voluntary commitments. AACE acting coaches and educators have committed to maintaining respectful learning environments. Respect based coaching helps everyone – teachers, coaches, students and clients – to focus on the task at hand without fear of humiliation, harassment, discrimination and bullying. Learn more or join AACE through our website.

Registration Details

Register for the conference via Eventbrite between May 8th and 15th to receive a $15 early bird discount and a free lunch. Rates are based on AACE membership status: the member rate is $60, and the Pipeline Member rate is $80. Access Code Required. CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR YOUR DISCOUNT CODE! Add the code before you choose your ticket. Price will be adjusted at checkout.

Pay What You Can - AACE believes everyone should have access to education that makes them better coaches. Thanks to our industry sponsors we can offer a Pay What You Can option for the conference. Please email us BEFORE you register if you would like a PWYC discount code at: [email protected].

If you’d like to become a member of AACE, please click here - JOIN AACE Did we mention it's FREE TO JOIN?

You may choose to add a brown bag lunch, provided by Urban Fare

Lunch Add-On: $21 + HST = $23.73

Please note: Eventbrite charges processing fees. All fees will be added in your cart at checkout.

After you have completed your Eventbrite registration, you will be contacted by the conference organizers to select your individual events as well as place your lunch order, if you chose to include lunch.

Walk-up registrations will be taken at 9:00AM on Friday, June 5th at St Anne’s Parish Hall (651 Dufferin Street, Toronto ON), if space is available. Cash, Debit or Credit accepted.

Venue Information

All events will take place at St. Anne's Parish Hall (651 Dufferin St, Toronto, ON). The Parish Hall is located on the South side of the church and can be accessed through the Dufferin Street entrance. Limited paid street parking is available. Detailed venue information, including directions and additional logistics, can be found on their website - www.saintanne.ca . The venue has a small flight of stairs at the entrance. Please let us know how we can assist you. We invite you to share any accessibility requests at the time of booking, or you can contact the Front of House Manager, Willow, at: [email protected].

Lunch Add-On Details

Lunches are supplied by Urban Fare and cost $21 plus HST. Lunch comes with a selection of sandwiches, a side salad, a wrapped dessert, whole fruit, beverage and cutlery package. Sandwich options include:

Grilled Chicken with Basil Mayo

Grilled Vegetable and Goat Cheese with Nut Free Pesto

Italian Vegetarian with grilled and marinated eggplant, roasted red pepper, bocconcini, pesto mayo and fresh greens

Roast Turkey with brie, cranberry aioli, lettuce, sliced apple

Tuna Salad

Salad:

Mix Green with Red Cabbage, Carrots and Tomatoes and Balsamic

After you have completed your Eventbrite registration, you will be contacted by the conference organizers to select your sandwich option.

Thank you to our sponsors and partners:

AFBS, Meridian Artists, St, Anne’s Parish, ACTRA, ACTRA Toronto, ACTRA Alberta, ACTRA Montreal, ACTRA Manitoba, CDC, Creative Arts Financial, Premier Artists, TAMAC, Equity Showcase, LB Acting Studio, MAP Actors, Annex Hotel, Michael Gordin Shore, McNally Kennedy Acting, Talent Absolute, Brooklyn Pizza, Henderson Brewing Company & Craigs Cookies.

Info: Moderator: Catherine McNally Panelist: Chantal Forde, Siobhan Richardson, Meredith McGeachie and Tracey Erin Smith. In a time of uncertainty and shifting demands, how do we reconnect with why we teach?
This panel explores the evolving role of the acting coach and how they balance artistic passion with sustainability, setting boundaries, and rediscovering joy in the room. Panelists will share honest insights on burnout, expectations, and redefining success—while exploring how to lead with kindness, joy, support creative risk, and protect well-being. This discussion invites educators and artists to reconnect with their purpose, rethink their process, and reaffirm their commitment to professionalism and human connection.
Because the work isn’t just about shaping actors—it’s about sustaining both the artist and the teacher.

Info: Tracey Erin Smith - Dancing with Resistance; Manon Bourgeois - Intro to Social Media; Bruce Dow - Supporting Ourselves & Students; Samora Smallwood - Coming Home: Boundaries, Joy & Manifesting Yo Sh!t

Info: Mini Panel - Marketing and Branding Your Coaching Business; Siobhan Richardson - Intimacy Substitutions for Educators; Alix Sideris - Contact, Impulse, Play and Consent; Lee Stone - Industry Inclusion for Trans and Non-Binary Artists

Info:  Join AACE Co-Administrators Jennifer Wigmore & Theresa Tova for a quick update on where AACE is now and where it's going.

Info: Moderated by Samora Smallwood with guests: Jenny Lewis, Sara Kay, Sarah Sheps and Jason Knight. Acting coaches and educators often are the first contact point for actors. Join four top casting directors as they discuss the current landscape of casting to help us better prepare performers for what they can expect and how to thrive.

Info: Join us for a gourmet pizza dinner sponsored by North of Brooklyn Pizza and Henderson Brewery.

Info: Join us for a joyful celebration of the acting coaching community and its essential role in our industry. Together, we’re making actor training safer for everyone. Sponsored by Creative Arts Financial.

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Host or Publisher Association of Acting Coaches & Educators (AACE)