NEWS ARCHIVES

Theatre program gives you the experience, credit

March 25, 2008 - Arts & Entertainment Article by Sean Pearce, York Region Media Group

Newmarket’s Resurgence Theatre Company is offering aspiring young actors a chance to hone their skills and earn some high school credits at the same time.

The theatre company’s Summer Youth Conservatory, aimed at students in Grade 9 to 12, is a great opportunity for young would-be thespians to gain valuable experience and also learn more about the dramatic arts from veterans of the craft, Resurgence general manager Anthony Leo said.

The hope is students will learn, have fun and walk away with an idea of what the world of professional theatre is really like, he added.

"We try and bring some professionals in to show (the students) what it would be like to be part of a real theatre company," he said.

The conservatory is in its fifth year and can prove an invaluable asset for up-and-coming young actors, Mr. Leo said.

It’s something even some founding members of Resurgence wish had been around when they were growing up.

"It’s almost like a prep school for post-secondary theatre schools," Mr. Leo said. "It’s our hope it will give the kids a leg up when it comes time to apply for college and university programs."

In its relatively short history, has already produced some pretty impressive alumni.

Recent graduates of the Ryerson Theatre School, James Wallis and Kevin Walker, are summer youth theatre conservatory alumni and have since gone on to found their own troupe, the Bleecker Theatre; their shows are getting rave reviews.

Another alumnus of note is recent winner of CBC’s Triple Sensation TV series, John-Michael Scapin. His time at the conservatory has proved invaluable as his career progressed, Mr. Scapin, 17, said.

"It was fabulous," he said. "We were a small little company ... And, together, we developed our own show."

He learned a lot about theatre thanks to the program and would recommend it to other young people considering a career in the performing arts, Mr. Scapin said.

The high school credits are another bonus, Mr. Leo said, adding the recognition of the program from the Ministry of Education adds another layer of legitimacy to it. For participation, students get a Grade 11 and 12 Drama in the Community credit toward their high school diploma.

For those interested in the six-week program that begins July 7 and culminates with a live performance, applications are due April 4. All potential candidates for the conservatory’s 12 spaces will have to complete an audition and interview.

There is a fee of $700 for the program, but financial assistance is available, Mr. Leo said. The focus of the program is on education, not making money.

There is a junior theatre conservatory for Grades 5 to 8, which runs for three weeks starting July 14.

The culmination of that program is a live performance for an invited audience.

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