If it’s money that’s keeping your budding young thespian off the stage this summer, there is now no excuse.
Consider this the final call for applicants to Artstrek’s summer theatre school in Red Deer. With more than 10,000 alumni working across the globe, this week-long resident camp has run programs for decades and changed lives in the process.
Making it even more accessible are the four scholarships that Bob and Darcey-Lynn MacArthur are providing for Canmore teens. Long-time patrons of Pine Tree Players, the MacArthur’s are firm believers “the arts contribute to the culture of a community and are important to its energy,” says Bob.
“Supporting students interested in the arts is supporting the continued vibrancy of art in our community,” he adds. “The arts, whether visual, theatrical or musical, all require creativity, problem solving, concentration and persistence — critical skills for day-to-day living.”
This summer, Artstrek’s production is that of The Birds — an adaptation of Aristophanes’ ancient Greek comedy, by renowned Algonquin Canadian playwright Yvette Nolan.
Set on Turtle Island (North America), Nolan’s version follows two humans, who leave civilization behind and discover the land of the Birds. Their friendship with the feathered residents is tested when one is tempted to reshape the Birds’ homeland, unsettling the fragile balance of their way of life.
Held in the performing arts facilities at Red Deer Polytechnic, each week-long camp includes dorm accommodations, meals in the RDP cafeteria and daily classes from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with more arts activities continuing into the evening.
Dubbed Exploration I, the camp for 12- to 15-year-olds (must have completed Grade 7) runs July 12-17. Exploration II, for ages 15 to 18 (students must have finished Grade 10), runs July 19-25. Students receive intensive training in acting, movement, voice, devising, directing and dramaturgy, culminating in a final performance of The Birds.
As they have for more than 20 years, the MacArthur family continues to support PTP. “The pleasure of watching young artists perform and knowing that it might make a difference in the life of a young artist is meaningful to us,” says Bob. “We also hope the recipients recognize that the arts are important and supported in our community.”
PTP BOW VALLEY COMMUNITY ARTSTREK SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: Sunday June 7
PTP BOW VALLEY COMMUNITY ARTSTREK SCHOLARSHIP
$800 PINE TREE PLAYERS BOW VALLEY COMMUNITY ARTSTREK SCHOLARSHIP
Offered to a Bow Valley based student to attend Artstrek in Red Deer. Deadline to apply is Sunday June 7 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time.
Recipients are selected by the Pine Tree Players board of directors. Selection criteria include:
- Demonstrated passion for theatre
- Pine Tree Players can benefit from your attendance at Artstrek
- Financial need
ROBERT SNAPE ARTSTREK SCHOLARSHIP
$800, CANMORE COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL RAVEN AWARD
Offered to two Canmore Collegiate High School drama students – one excelling in the Performing Arts and one excelling in Technical Theatre – to attend Artstrek in Red Deer.
The recipient is chosen by the drama teachers at Canmore Collegiate High School.
To apply please visit the CCHS office or speak to your drama teacher.
MARTIN FINNERTY ARTSTREK SCHOLARSHIP
$800, OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS AND NOTRE DAME DES MONTS
Offered to drama students at an Our Lady of the Snows and Notre Dame des Monts to attend Artstrek in Red Deer.
Recipients selected by the drama teachers at Our Lady of the Snows and Notre Dame Des Monts.
To apply please visit the school office or speak to your drama teacher.
Deb Cummings
About the Author: Deb Cummings is a retired journalist (mostly) who is terrified to sit in the front row of any theatre for fear of being called up on stage. She does, however, have aspirations to be a doo- wop girl (although she can’t sing) and spends a surprising amount of time watching plays or reading books that normalize the mortifying experience of being human.