Time Exercise.


“I appreciate your very 'human' and genuine advice you provide every class. I think it is what I was missing from my previous instructors. 

I really take your advice to heart. Especially, last class, where you said I need to find a way to 'connect' more and keep myself not as far removed from the character. You are absolutely right. I have been almost 'molding' and 'creating' a character with no traces of myself. I am learning that (depending on the scene/character of course), it is alright to leave some traces of 'me', which will allow me to connect and be more present and not 'act'. I am grateful for your instruction and I am hopeful that this will not be my last session with you.”

Pauline Lam



The way you approach the work was exactly what I needed. I have studied with many different teachers and sometimes I wonder why I didn’t find you sooner...
I really feel what I have discovered since working with you is invaluable. You have helped me trust myself again. The ideas, exercises and philosophy you inspire as you teach are the way I have always wanted to approach my acting. You have helped me to believe in that. You have helped me shift some very old narratives and guided me to free my own voice and creativity in my work. I feel I have built a new foundation within my work to grow from.
— Natalie Krill

About John Boylan.

John Boylan

A well-known Canadian actor, acting coach, teacher and mentor, John Boylan was the founder of Centre for the Arts, a community arts centre which served the community from 2002 to 2009. 

John is a graduate actor from The National Theatre School of Canada and some film and television credits include Story Theatre, Keeping Track, Five Days at Memorial, Pet Sematary.

He taught at the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson Theatre School) from 2002 to 2018.

He ran the Directing the Actor class at New York University, Graduate Film School, the National Screen Institute, Winnipeg, The Directors Guild of Canada, Toronto and at Centre for the Arts.

In addition to his ongoing classes at his studio, he was a guest tutor at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, London for many years.

He delivered a Master Class to members of the acting company at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.

He created the acting for film and television course at The Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin; taught at the Guthrie Theatre, Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh, The Actors Centre, London, and in Zimbabwe for FIA (International Actor’s Federation).

In Toronto taught at George Brown Theatre School, York University graduate and undergraduate theatre departments and Humber College. Across Canada at Workshops in the Performing Arts, Vancouver; Moving Images Group, Halifax, and Queens University. John designed and delivered workshops in the Vancouver, St. John’s and Halifax CBC studios for ACTRAWORKS.

A mentor under the Canadian Senior Artist’s Resource Network (CSARN) program and he taught the first ever on-camera class at The Yale School of Drama.