Our Story

Got Your Back Acting Educators Conference May 2019 – Tarragon Theatre, Toronto

How We Began

The Creative Industries in Canada can be very proud of the work we have done together to change the culture of bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment, and violence in our workplaces. Many of our industry partners came together to develop codes, policies, reporting mechanisms and educational resources that changed the collective culture in our workplace. 

After #MeToo many brave students and former students came forward to shine a light on problems in education, coaching and self-tape environments. It became clear that there was more work to do. In 2018  Got Your Back (GYB) created a National Acting Training Survey with over 500 students’ responses. A strong recommendation from the survey was to establish an Association to provide oversight, guidance, community and educational resources for Acting Coaches and Educators in Canada.

Association of Acting Coaches and Educators (AACE) started by gathering together concerned industry partners, knowledgeable and dedicated educators, grassroots community groups and students. A working group was built with representatives from; ACTRA Toronto, CAEA, the CDC, the EIC, TAMAC, GYB, KAS, AGC, Schools/Studios, and educators who created an industry code of Code of Conduct, AACE Member guide and application process. The creation of AACE will help bring oversight and best practices to the sector for students and parents, but it will also create a much needed community where coaches and educators can learn, share and grow together.  

AACE members have made a positive commitment to work together to educate, support each other and create a safer work environment for both students and coaches.  

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

AACE’s mission is to build community, provide educational opportunities and encourage adoption of a code of conduct by acting coaches and educators. Membership in AACE is voluntary and free. AACE members make a commitment to ongoing education and to upholding the AACE Code of Conduct to the best of their ability by being respectful, accountable, and honest as well as by offering a learning environment free of harassment, discrimination, bullying, and violence. AACE coaches have met all the outlined criteria for membership. Information provided by AACE on this website is for informational purposes only. AACE does not provide any professional or other services for or on behalf of its members or perform any duty owed by an AACE member to another person. AACE does not make any representations or guarantees with respect to the provision of coaching or educational services by members. AACE and its founders and partners assume no responsibility or liability for the services provided by any member coach or educator and AACE encourages actors to do their own due diligence and seek advice prior to engaging the services of any acting coach or educator.