Ottawa School of Theatre is a non-profit registered charitable organisation, and Ottawa’s longest running theatre school. We provide hands-on experience in theatre arts to students of all ages, from 5 to 105, in both English and French. For over 35 years, we’ve strived to nurture a community that is warm, kind, and supportive. OST is a space where both adults and kids learn that it’s ok to make mistakes (in fact, we celebrate mistakes, because that’s how we all learn!). 

A resident partner at the Shenkman Arts Centre, we offer a professional theatre setting for all classes, rehearsals and performances, and today contract more than 20 theatre professionals to lead over 50 classes. We also offer March Break camp, summer camps, and teen intensives. 

We love putting on a spectacular show, hosting over 60 student shows a year, but equally important to us are our core values. Nothing beats seeing our students transform their self-confidence, build collaborative skills, and up their creative thinking. 

In addition to being a non-profit organization, we also have two scholarship programs we raise funds for. 

Kathi Langston Post-Secondary Scholarship and Internal Award

In June 2022, beloved Artistic Director Kathi Langston retired after 20 years. To honour her fantastic work in building the school we know and love, we have launched the Kathi Langston Post-Secondary Scholarship and Internal Award. We are asking for help to build this fund, which will help young people access theatre education. 

The Kathi Langston Post-Secondary Scholarship grants up to two $1000 cash awards to past or current Ottawa School of Theatre students between the age of 17-25 to pursue their post-secondary education in the performing arts. Likewise, the Kathi Langston Internal Award grants up to two $500 scholarships to current OST students to continue their studies at OST in the subsequent school year. Both the scholarship and internal awards will be dedicated to one student from our English classes and one from our French classes.

Kids in the Spotlight

Julia Zuppa is a high school student in Orleans and a current student at the Ottawa School of Theatre (OST). By doing theatre classes, starting at age 6, Julia discovered many life skills and became empowered by theatre. She took it upon herself to start the Kids in the Spotlight award program, raising funds through donations to fund five grants per year for five kids between the ages of 6 and 12 to attend one week of summer camp at OST free of charge, starting in 2024. Julia’s mission in creating this grant is to help children gain more confidence, become more comfortable with themselves and find their own voice. All donations to this program will directly support kids in experiencing the gift of theatre.