Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Oh the drama!

I have a pretty amazing day job.

My role at Theatre Alberta is fairly un-creative, which is a true divergent from my usual career forte. That doesn't mean I'm not passionate about it...it's just different not being in on the planning stages of events like...

ATRSTREK. A summer school for teens that explores the exciting world of theatre and theatre production. Or - theatre boot camp.

For one blissful week at the Red Deer College, Artstrek students discover acting, voice, movement, directing, sound/music, design, creation and collaboration. Whew! As many past participants attest, "Artstrek is the greatest place in the world."

Artstrek is NOT a talent-based program. For more than 50 years (50 years!), the program has welcomed all teens who are passionate about theatre and learning about theatre.

Well, all 300-ish teens that manage to register before the program sells out. Believe me, it does. For the past seven years, there's been a waiting list of 100+ young theatre enthusiasts...which is why Theatre Alberta will add a third week of Artstrek programming in 2013.

Each year, Theatre Alberta selects a different play of study and contracts a new team of theatre professionals to develop curriculum centered around that script. How lucky for this year's participants that we (well, not me...a committee of people) chose Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. 

If I could go back in time, I'd be in drama - and I'd register for Artstrek. Especially THIS year.

Standing up in front of a crowd has never been my thing. And before each author reading, I experience crippling stage fright. (Hey, some of those Grade 4 kids can be brutal!) Maybe if I'd gone to Artstrek as a teenager, I'd have more confidence.

Although frequently thought of as only entertainment, the imagined and enacted world of theatre is also one of the primary ways children can learn about life: about actions and consequences, about customs and beliefs, and about others and themselves. 

From birth, children instinctively use pretend play as a means of making sense of the world. They observe and respond to their environment, imitate words and actions, create situations to play and assume roles, and direct one another. Children arrive at school with rudimentary skills as playwrights, actors, designers, directors and audience members.

Cool stuff, right?

I couldn't agree more.

The Theatre Alberta Society is a registered charity. Please consider supporting it through an individual donation, corporate sponsorship, or by becoming an Angel of Theatre so that this good work can continue. Every little bit helps.

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Rot & Ruin, Jonathan Mayberry


13 comments:

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    1. I'm excited to check it out this year...even if it's just as a spectator. #gettingoldsucks

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  2. How cool! New follower here. I'm trying to get a head start on visiting my fellow "A to Z"ers. I'm really enjoying your blog and I look forward to visiting again.

    Sylvia
    http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks Sylvia! *heading over to check you out *

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  3. What a wonderful program! I wish there had been something like that when I was young.

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    1. It's wildly popular - I bet you would have had a blast!

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  4. what a fantastic program! I would have loved to be a part of something like that when I was younger. Sounds fun even if you're older though too!;)

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    1. I wish I could actually be a participant :-D

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  5. Man, I would have loved this so much as a kid. We have some cool programs locally, but neither of my kids was into theater. I think it appealed to me because I am BOTH a little shy AND like to be front and center... a contrarian to the core.

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    1. LOL...anyone who loves nudity as much as you, Hart, is bound to be a contrarian to the core <3

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  6. That is so cool! I loved drama in high school. I would have jumped at a chance to do something like that! (But it also sounds like a lot of work in the business side of it.)

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  7. I love that this program is not talent based and that anyone who loves drama can participate. That's really cool! :)

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