Ending a Scene – Joey Lucius academy director for Rapid Fire Theatre
People often struggle to end their scenes, but you just need to look into your ‘rearview mirror’ to see all the narrative elements you’ve already set up. Whether it’s bringing back a character, calling back to a joke that landed or tying up a loose end that the audience has probably forgotten, you’ll get a more satisfying ending if you circle back to it.”
Get Business Savvy
Here’s what they don’t tell you in art school: It’s not viable without business skills. Apparently, that’s what night school is for. Start Your Creative Business course at MacEwan’s School of Continuing Education helps artists navigate the nitty gritty of entrepreneurship, like making a business plan, managing invoices, negotiating with clients — and chasing them down to pay said invoices.
The course also covers the how-to of differentiating yourself from competition, setting your price models and defining your market niche. While it’s online, students are required to log on for live sessions.
$500, Mar. 2 – Apr. 13, macewan.ca
Stay Safe Online
Everyone has a vague idea about the risks that lurk in the online world. Get a better grasp on what exactly cybersecurity entails with Fundamentals of Cybersecurity at Concordia University of Edmonton. This self-directed online course (meaning you learn at your own pace) offers an overview of the world of digital defence, as well as some of the laws surrounding it and tactics for protection. Though it’s designed for IT professionals working toward certification, anyone — and their grandparents (especially their grandparents) — can benefit from learning how to spot and avoid a cyber attack.
$300, year-round (self-directed), concordia.ab.ca
Reciprocate Man’s Best Friendship
Dog Jogs’ Pet First Aid Class answers every dog owners worst nightmare: What do you do if your pet is in medical distress and you can’t get to a vet right away? The 10-hour course covers everything from wound bandaging to CPR and emergency prevention. Graduates can take Off the Grid, a next-level course designed for those who spend time far from the city — like campers, hikers or farmers — because fetching the vet isn’t always an option.
$178, Feb. 22, dog-jogs.ca