The Citizen-Blyth Festival, 1999-06-23, Page 43PAGE 24. BLYTH FESTIVAL SALUTE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE23, 1999.
Young Company develops talented youth
When Mostly in Clover, the play that started the Festival on its
way to success, is performed in this, the silver anniversary season, it
will feature members of the Festival's Young Company, which
itself has grown from small beginnings.
From its very first season in 1975, the Festival has involved local
young people, first through children’s workshops, w'hich still carry
on today for children up to 12 years of age, and since 1981 for those
12 and older — the Young Company. This group learned theatre
skills from professionals then performed their own plays.
The results have been extraordinary. Researching the history of
the Festival's programs for young people as part of the silver
anniversary celebrations, Joanne Walters was able to trace llO
former members of the Young Company and found 41 per cent of
those went on, or are planning to go on, to careers in theatre or the
arts.
This summer, for instance, Severn Thompson is starring on the
stage at the Shaw Festival. Goderich’s Kevin Bundy returned to star
on the Blyth stage as well as other theatres across Canada.
Some of the others who have gone on to enter theatre, television
and movies as a career have included Rachel Brophy, Heather
Morton. Josh Peace and Chris Royal.
Others have gone on to related careers, one as a camera trainee in
film production, one studying cinematography at Sheridan College
and one as a designer with Industrial Light and Magic as part of a
team that created such films as Lost World and Dragonheart.
This summer Belgrave’s Andrew Cull, who studies theatre at
York University returns as a stage carpenter, while F. E. Madill
student Robin Sanders works his second summer as a technician. On
stage, Erin Roulston takes on two small roles in That Summer and
When the Reaper Calls before joining the country’s top theatre
training program at the National Theatre School in Montreal this
fall.
Not content to just be involved in theatre in the summer, many of
the members of last year’s Young Company created their own
theatre company, . . . And Perhaps a Play, which presented two
productions, mounted and performed totally by young people, over
the past winter.
And beyond those who have gone on in theatre, all participants in
the program have benefited in other ways. Many parents told
Walters that their sons and daughters are using the poise, self
confidence. creative and public speaking skills learned in the Young
Company in their careers today.
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. •
You're invited to our 25th Anniversary Season
Comedy, Mystery, Romance, Drama -
Don't miss a moment of magic on the stages at Blyth
6 plays - 5 premieres!
I
i Romance
. That Summer June 23 - August 27
: By David French
| Remember your first summer love? Come and
i enjoy this romantic and lyrical tale - perfect
i for a getaway evening.
Drama
Every Dream August 3 - August 28
By James W. Nichol
Meet Harry, a man who discovers just how
much he has to win and lost in this modern
tale with humour and compassion.
| Comedy
Big BOX June 29 - August 28
I By Dave Carley
■ Big box malls and main street retailers - Laugh
and learn how retail subversives deal with
, this selling trend in 2015.
Thriller
When the Reaper Calls July 28 - August 29
By Peter Colley
Pranks, pratfalls and laughter - a winning
combination for every theatre-lover in your
group: a deliciously funny murder mystery!
i Comedy
I The Great School Crisis of '99
I By Ted Johns July 13 - August 29
I You’ll want everyone in your group to see this one-
1 man show that explores muddled thinking from
’ every side in this contemporary controversy.
Spectacular
Death of the Hired Man September 2-12
By Paul Thompson
Our theatre is transformed and you'll be inside the
barn as our barn-threshing gang works against time
and the elements!
Come Play at Blyth!
Box Office - 1-519-523-9300 or 1-877-TO-BLYTH