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ABOUT US
Who we are. What drives us. Where we come from...
GILLES PLOUFFE
Actor, trainer and founder of the Studio
Actor and trainer Gilles Plouffe, driven by a deep passion for realistic acting and nurtured by decades in theatre, film, and television, founded his studio in Montreal after 35 years in the arts. His mission: to guide actors in their exploration of the Organic Creative Process, an approach to acting that came to him undeniably, without a doubt, like falling in love.
Trained by John Strasberg, with whom he has collaborated for 25 years, he teaches a vibrant approach to acting rooted in authenticity and the actor's quest for truth. In 2006, he created Plateau Théâtre, an intimate 25-seat space where he shares his art and where projects inspired by the greatest writers are born.
With his studio, Gilles wants to offer a demanding yet supportive learning environment where each actor can profoundly transform their performance.
THE STUDIO
| Where the magic happens
It's a small neighborhood theater. Twenty-five seats, set up like a black box. A miniature version of the big theaters. Nothing impressive at first glance. And yet...
A unique energy pervades this place. As soon as the actors begin working, everyone feels it. It's like entering a creative bubble where anything is possible. This energy condenses and diffuses throughout the confined space, like a fragrance. The black curtains create this magic that allows the imagination to take shape without distraction. It is in this space that the actors work, explore, and perform. For real.
John Strasberg, on his first visit, shared this: "For fifty years I've traveled all over the world, teaching in all kinds of theaters. I've never felt such a strong and concentrated creative energy." A man who has seen all the great theaters, who has trained generations of actors, and it's here that he feels it. Quite remarkable.
After the shows, people struggle to find the words. "It's like a movie, but live." The intimacy. The intensity. The unfiltered performance. It hits you in a different way. No projection, no artifice. Just life unfolding a few feet away.
It is a place inhabited by something rare. A magical and nurturing place that cannot be explained, but must be experienced.
THE LEGACY OF THE ACTORS STUDIO
From New York to Montreal
When Gilles studied with John Strasberg, he inherited much more than a technique. He inherited a philosophy of acting, a vision rooted in the Actors Studio in New York.
The 1940s, '50s, and '60s. A legendary place where professional actors gathered to train together, explore, and challenge themselves. Not a school. A living studio where the spirit of realistic acting took root in America. Lee Strasberg, John's father and a disciple of Stanislavski (the man who introduced realistic acting to the world), trained the greatest actors there for 30 years. Brando, De Niro, Pacino. Legends who transformed American cinema. John grew up in this world. He inherited its soul, developed it, and passed it on to Gilles, who adapted it to the actors and the style of acting here.
Studio Gilles Plouffe is not just a training ground. It's a place for continuous practice. You learn the basics. You persevere. You develop your expertise. It becomes your creative home, your acting family, your laboratory of emotions.
The spirit of the Actors Studio, alive in Montreal. An active studio for serious actors. For those seeking the real craft. The rare gems, in short.
ONE VISION, THREE TRAINERS
Thirty-five years in the business. Theatre, film, television. Five years of intensive training with John Strasberg, and since then, a constant desire to refine and improve his working methods and his acting. It is this devotion to the Organic Creative Process that he now shares. With rigor. With kindness. With heart.
Trained at the Montreal Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, he completed a three-year program. Then he discovered the Organic Creative Process. For the past seven years, he has trained with John and Gilles, perfecting his mastery of this approach. He teaches in the same spirit, with the same high standards, and the same passion.
Nearly 70 years of experience in the world of realistic acting. Son of Lee Strasberg, he grew up at the Actors Studio, which he witnessed and helped develop. Creator of the Organic Creative Process, which he has taught for 50 years, he still regularly comes to Montreal to share his knowledge and inspire others. His process is the beating heart of the studio.
WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING
Mylène Dinh-Robic – Actress
Gilles believed in me more than I believed in myself. He pushed me beyond my limits and taught me to create from my most vulnerable moments. Trust him—he will help you discover your true artistic potential.
WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING
Alex Weiner – Actor
Thanks to his coaching, I landed a major role. Even when I didn't get a part, I received the best feedback of my career. Gilles understands each actor and helps them reach their full potential, always with kindness and rigor.
WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING
Ann Arson – Director
I was looking for a new way to approach the game. I found a concrete, sensitive method, and exercises that really helped me progress.
WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING
Kristian Hodko – Actor
Gilles doesn't just teach a technique: he sees the artist in you and helps you reveal it. His words changed my life.
WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING
Max Laferrière – Actor
His method has been with me for 15 years. When I have doubts, I return to the essence of his teaching. And I remember why I love this profession.
WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING
Luiza Cocora – Actress
He guides you in creating true, unique, and deeply human characters. Gilles teaches you to feel and embody them fully.