Acting Instructor for the Advanced Performance and Drama Program
About Jody
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Born on Twillingate Island, whenever Jody was asked “Where are you from?” he would answer “You know Fogo, Twillingate, Morten’s Harbour? I’m from somewhere in the circle”.
Being raised in such a small community, Jody kept to himself a lot. This labelled him “shy” by teachers, classmates, family, and community members. When inquiring about acting schools, Jody was told “You’re so shy… are you sure you want to do that?”. And so Jody settled with doing an Arts Degree at MUN with an English major… Until he found out he could specialize his English degree in theatre and also complete a Diploma in Performance and Communications Media and prove all those naysayers wrong - so that’s exactly what he did. |
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After auditioning for the Diploma Program and getting in, Jody went on to take part in many things relating to the arts. He’s been on radio, in films and on TV, in plays, took dance classes, and with all this stuff under his belt, he returned to University to get his degree in Education. After being a substitute for a few years Jody finally hooked a replacement, teaching theatre arts and drama. Because the contract was only for a year, and because the love of theatre flows through Jody’s veins, he had to somehow find another outlet to pass on this passion. Jody believes that theatrical training is an integral part of child development. It gives them the confidence to be social and the ability to think on the spot. Some may find it childish, some may say “it’s imagination and just playing games”, but an idol of Jody's, Walter Disney, said it best:
“That’s the real trouble with the world. Too many people grow up”.
snapshots from the stage
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Recently Jody decided to start his own production company. Working in High School, Jody has seen so many students lose the theatrical motivation after they graduate. With such talent coming from the schools, Jody thought that maybe he should start a youth oriented theatre production company and draw from some of the students he’s worked with in the many high schools he teaches at through his subbing career. With a small cast and crew, scripts in hand, here’s to hoping you’ll see many more productions from this little company that thought it could.
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My Teaching Philosophy
by jody rideout
I believe everyone has a voice.
I believe everyone has an opinion.
I believe (most of all) everyone has an imagination - no matter your age.
I believe that if you can imagine, you can act.
I believe that acting is a form of self expression.
I believe that Improv skills can help you socially. It helps you think on your feet and learn how to interact with another person.
I believe that each person, each student, has a different idea, a different mindset, and different dreams and aspirations. I believe that one student may view a scene, a character, and idea one way, and another may see that very same scene in a whole different light. I believe that neither of them are wrong.
I believe that students of acting should explore characters, thoughts, and ideas. They should be allowed to express themselves without fear of judgement. They should know that one person’s interpretation of a character is not the right interpretation, but rather there are an infinite amount of right interpretations.
I believe that skills in acting and improv train students for the rest of their lives (just ask the small town shy boy - me!)
I believe everyone has an opinion.
I believe (most of all) everyone has an imagination - no matter your age.
I believe that if you can imagine, you can act.
I believe that acting is a form of self expression.
I believe that Improv skills can help you socially. It helps you think on your feet and learn how to interact with another person.
I believe that each person, each student, has a different idea, a different mindset, and different dreams and aspirations. I believe that one student may view a scene, a character, and idea one way, and another may see that very same scene in a whole different light. I believe that neither of them are wrong.
I believe that students of acting should explore characters, thoughts, and ideas. They should be allowed to express themselves without fear of judgement. They should know that one person’s interpretation of a character is not the right interpretation, but rather there are an infinite amount of right interpretations.
I believe that skills in acting and improv train students for the rest of their lives (just ask the small town shy boy - me!)
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“That’s the real trouble with the world. Too many people grow up”. |
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Acting Experience
theatre
Dad in Not Myself Today (CFPA, 2019)
I.J. in The Perfect Son (Second Light Productions, 2019)
Matthew Harris in The Christmas Spirit (St. John’s Players, 2018)
Ben in Nothing (St. John/s Shorts/Lone Wolf Productions, 2018)
Mark in Play Dead (St. John’s Shorts, 2016)
Fred in Above and Below (Shakespeare by the Sea, 2012)
Various in Mother Courage (Diploma Program, 2008)
Various (Sketch Comedy) in Pilk’s Madhouse (Dir. Andy Jones, 2007)
The Porter in Macbeth and Angelo the Goldsmith in The Comedy of Errors (SBTS, 2007)
I.J. in The Perfect Son (Second Light Productions, 2019)
Matthew Harris in The Christmas Spirit (St. John’s Players, 2018)
Ben in Nothing (St. John/s Shorts/Lone Wolf Productions, 2018)
Mark in Play Dead (St. John’s Shorts, 2016)
Fred in Above and Below (Shakespeare by the Sea, 2012)
Various in Mother Courage (Diploma Program, 2008)
Various (Sketch Comedy) in Pilk’s Madhouse (Dir. Andy Jones, 2007)
The Porter in Macbeth and Angelo the Goldsmith in The Comedy of Errors (SBTS, 2007)
Film/TelevisionExtra work in Republic of Doyle, Little Dog, and Hudson and Rex.
Sean in Eating Disorder educational video package (Eastern Health). |
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Training
Diploma in Performance and Communications Media at MUN
First Time Film Makers Program at NIFCO
Advanced Hip Hop/Street Jazz at Fusion Dance Studio
First Time Film Makers Program at NIFCO
Advanced Hip Hop/Street Jazz at Fusion Dance Studio
