Our Workshops
Our workshops, led by some of North America’s finest backstage theatre artists, bring you behind the scenes to learn how to construct and paint impressive sets; build props ranging from faux food to flicker candles; create breath-taking masks, scenic art drops and special effects makeup—and more! These opportunities are intensive and hands-on, conducted in a working studio with one-on-one mentorship from our artist instructors.
Explore our current workshop offerings below to see what interests you!
Workshop Listings
Fall 2026
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Artistic Welding Workshop
$725.00 September 1 to 4, 2026 (9am-4pm) | Instructor: Clarke EllisThis is an Intro course to artistic welding. You will learn the basic skills of artistic welding, encouraging students to leave with the knowledge and confidence to expand their creativity further outside the classroom.
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Artistic Welding Workshop
$725.00 September 7-10, 2026 (9am-4pm) | Instructor: Clarke EllisThis is an Intro course to artistic welding. You will learn the basic skills of artistic welding, encouraging students to leave with the knowledge and confidence to expand their creativity further outside the classroom.
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Intro to Basic Theatrical Sewing
$350.00Dates: October 3 & 4, 2026 (9am-5pm) Instructor: Lela Stairs
Stratford Festival Cutter, Lela Stairs, teaches the basic sewing skills of hand hemming, piping, snaps and closures, along with darts and princess seams.
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Costume Comebacks – Breathing New Life into Old Wardrobe
$350.00October 17-18, 2026 (9am-5pm) Instructor: Lela Stairs
Ideal for wardrobe personnel, community theatre volunteers or home hobbyists, this two-day workshop shows learners how to reimagine, recut and recreate costumes for fresh new looks.
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Costume Draping Workshop Fall 2026
$425.00October 19-21, 2026 (9am-5pm) | Instructor: Lela Stairs
In this three-day workshop, students will learn draping fundamentals used in theatre wardrobe and fashion design settings.
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Intro to Bootmaking – Session 1
$975.00Oct 20-23, 2026 (9am-5pm) | Instructor: Connie Puetz
Create a pair of basic leather lace-up boots for your own feet based on personal measurements.
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Intro to Bootmaking – Session 2
$975.00Oct 27-30, 2026 (9am-5pm) | Instructor: Connie Puetz
Create a pair of basic leather lace-up boots for your own feet based on personal measurements.
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Stage Management – Fall 2026
$375.00 November 7-8, 2026 (9am-4pm) | Instructor: Hilary NicholThis weekend workshop provides an overview of a stage manager’s roles and responsibilities and gives participants practice in key stage-management activities.
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Intro to Bootmaking – Session 3
$975.00November 21-22 & 28-29, 2026 (9am-5pm) | Instructor: Connie Puetz
Create a pair of basic leather lace-up boots for your own feet based on personal measurements.
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Wig Making – Fall 2026- Session 1
$750.00 December 1-4, 2026 (9am-5pm) | Instructor: Erica CroftIn this popular four-day workshop, learn the basics of wig creation, modification and dressing.
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Tiara: A Stage Ready Accessory
$375.00 December 5-6, 2026 (9am-5pm) | Instructor: Laura PattersonGet a glimpse into the world of stage headwear and costume accessories in this hands-on workshop.
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Artistic Welding Workshop
$725.00 September 1 to 4, 2026 (9am-4pm) | Instructor: Clarke EllisThis is an Intro course to artistic welding. You will learn the basic skills of artistic welding, encouraging students to leave with the knowledge and confidence to expand their creativity further outside the classroom.
-
Artistic Welding Workshop
$725.00 September 7-10, 2026 (9am-4pm) | Instructor: Clarke EllisThis is an Intro course to artistic welding. You will learn the basic skills of artistic welding, encouraging students to leave with the knowledge and confidence to expand their creativity further outside the classroom.
-
Intro to Basic Theatrical Sewing
$350.00Dates: October 3 & 4, 2026 (9am-5pm) Instructor: Lela Stairs
Stratford Festival Cutter, Lela Stairs, teaches the basic sewing skills of hand hemming, piping, snaps and closures, along with darts and princess seams.
-
Costume Comebacks – Breathing New Life into Old Wardrobe
$350.00October 17-18, 2026 (9am-5pm) Instructor: Lela Stairs
Ideal for wardrobe personnel, community theatre volunteers or home hobbyists, this two-day workshop shows learners how to reimagine, recut and recreate costumes for fresh new looks.
-
Costume Draping Workshop Fall 2026
$425.00October 19-21, 2026 (9am-5pm) | Instructor: Lela Stairs
In this three-day workshop, students will learn draping fundamentals used in theatre wardrobe and fashion design settings.
-
Intro to Bootmaking – Session 1
$975.00Oct 20-23, 2026 (9am-5pm) | Instructor: Connie Puetz
Create a pair of basic leather lace-up boots for your own feet based on personal measurements.
-
Intro to Bootmaking – Session 2
$975.00Oct 27-30, 2026 (9am-5pm) | Instructor: Connie Puetz
Create a pair of basic leather lace-up boots for your own feet based on personal measurements.
-
Stage Management – Fall 2026
$375.00 November 7-8, 2026 (9am-4pm) | Instructor: Hilary NicholThis weekend workshop provides an overview of a stage manager’s roles and responsibilities and gives participants practice in key stage-management activities.
-
Intro to Bootmaking – Session 3
$975.00November 21-22 & 28-29, 2026 (9am-5pm) | Instructor: Connie Puetz
Create a pair of basic leather lace-up boots for your own feet based on personal measurements.
-
Wig Making – Fall 2026- Session 1
$750.00 December 1-4, 2026 (9am-5pm) | Instructor: Erica CroftIn this popular four-day workshop, learn the basics of wig creation, modification and dressing.
-
Tiara: A Stage Ready Accessory
$375.00 December 5-6, 2026 (9am-5pm) | Instructor: Laura PattersonGet a glimpse into the world of stage headwear and costume accessories in this hands-on workshop.
Winter 2027
- Winter 2027
- Winter 2026
- Winter 2025
- Wig Making
- Welding
- Uncategorized
- Theatrical Product Arts Certificate (TPAC)
- Theatrical Jewelry
- Test
- Summer 2026
- Stage Management
- Shoemaking
- Sewing
- Set Design
- Puppet Making
- Prop Making
- Pattern Drafting
- Painting
- Millinery
- Mask Making
- March Break 2026
- Makeup Intensive Workshops
- Makeup
- Gift Certificate
- FUNdraiser
- Fall 2026
- Fall 2025
- Custom
- Costume Draping
- Costume Design
- Carpentry
- Art Direction
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Wig Making – Winter 2027 – Session 1
$750.00January 9-10 & 16-17, 2027 (9am-5pm) | Instructor: Erica Croft
In this popular four-day workshop, learn the basics of wig creation, modification and dressing.
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Pattern Drafting Workshop – Winter 2027
$675.00January 23-24 & 30-31, 2027 (9am-4pm) | Instructor: Lela Stairs
Participants learn how to interpret a two-dimensional design and render it into a three-dimensional costume pattern in this double-weekend workshop.
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Wig Making – Winter 2027 – Session 1
$750.00January 9-10 & 16-17, 2027 (9am-5pm) | Instructor: Erica Croft
In this popular four-day workshop, learn the basics of wig creation, modification and dressing.
-
Pattern Drafting Workshop – Winter 2027
$675.00January 23-24 & 30-31, 2027 (9am-4pm) | Instructor: Lela Stairs
Participants learn how to interpret a two-dimensional design and render it into a three-dimensional costume pattern in this double-weekend workshop.
Join the Workshop Waitlist
If the workshop you want to take is at full capacity, don’t fret! You can join our waitlist to be the first to know if space opens up in a current workshop, as well as when new sessions are released.
Off the Wall’s Impact
I came to OTW because the theatre I volunteer at decided to send me here as kind of a thank you for the work I’ve done. Coming to OTW has been completely life-changing for me. I’m going to pursue a career in the prop-building world. I believe I’m supposed to.
MATTHEW BURGESS
Theatre Production Arts 2017; Currently Stratford Festival Prop Builder
I learned something new every year. There’s such a variety of materials and so many talented people working with you one-on-one in a small group setting that it’s impressive what you can create. Setting the Scene is unique, it’s super affordable, it’s an amazing experience.
Jennifer Brickman
Setting the Scene 2016; Currently Lead builder, Macy’s Christmas Windows USA
Last week I attended Connie’s 4-day shoe making workshop and I couldn’t have had a better time. She is such an amazing teacher and such a prolific craftsperson. Thank you for providing this course, I hope to attend many more in the future. I also walked away with a superb pair of bespoke leather Oxfords! Priceless.
Jane Graydon
Shoe Making 2021
I had a job interview yesterday to work in a scenic paint department in Burlington, and I’ve been offered the job! Thanks to my courses this summer at Off the Wall, I have been equipped with skills I could not have learned elsewhere. Off the Wall was the perfect launchpad for me to change course in my life, and I’m so grateful for the supportive artistic community I was welcomed into!
Jessica Nourse
Theatre Production Arts 2021; Currently Scenic Painter
After being apart for so long, it was exhilarating to be in a room of passionate people all talking about theatre. Lela is so knowledgeable - you can hear the passion she has for her job in every story. OTW allowed me to tap into my creativity and learn a skill I normally wouldn’t have access to. For that I’m very grateful.
Kelsey Rae
Pattern Drafting 2022; Currently Stage ManagerOff the Wall’s Impact
I came to OTW because the theatre I volunteer at decided to send me here as kind of a thank you for the work I’ve done. Coming to OTW has been completely life-changing for me. I’m going to pursue a career in the prop-building world. I believe I’m supposed to.
MATTHEW BURGESS
Theatre Production Arts 2017; Currently Stratford Festival Prop Builder
I learned something new every year. There’s such a variety of materials and so many talented people working with you one-on-one in a small group setting that it’s impressive what you can create. Setting the Scene is unique, it’s super affordable, it’s an amazing experience.
Jennifer Brickman
Setting the Scene 2016; Currently Lead builder, Macy’s Christmas Windows USA
Last week I attended Connie’s 4-day shoe making workshop and I couldn’t have had a better time. She is such an amazing teacher and such a prolific craftsperson. Thank you for providing this course, I hope to attend many more in the future. I also walked away with a superb pair of bespoke leather Oxfords! Priceless.
Jane Graydon
Shoe Making 2021
I had a job interview yesterday to work in a scenic paint department in Burlington, and I’ve been offered the job! Thanks to my courses this summer at Off the Wall, I have been equipped with skills I could not have learned elsewhere. Off the Wall was the perfect launchpad for me to change course in my life, and I’m so grateful for the supportive artistic community I was welcomed into!
Jessica Nourse
Theatre Production Arts 2021; Currently Scenic Painter
After being apart for so long, it was exhilarating to be in a room of passionate people all talking about theatre. Lela is so knowledgeable - you can hear the passion she has for her job in every story. OTW allowed me to tap into my creativity and learn a skill I normally wouldn’t have access to. For that I’m very grateful.
Kelsey Rae
Pattern Drafting 2022; Currently Stage ManagerJoin Our Newsletter
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