Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon is hosting a night of storytelling at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 9 with “Ten for Ten,” a showcase of 10 short plays presented by participants in the not-for-profit theatre company’s Youth Winter Arts (YWA) program.
The YWA program is an extension of Globus Theatre’s School Of Dramatic Arts (SODA), which cultivates creativity in a safe space by offering accessible creative arts programming to kids, youth, and adults in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
“YWA started with the goal of providing an opportunity for older youth and young adults to pursue the theatrical arts and explore their creativity in this rural community,” says Globus Theatre’s general manager and YWA program leader Rebecca Anne Bloom in a media release.
According to Globus, the focus of this year’s YWA program was scene work and the 10-minute plays allowed the young actors to dive headfirst into character development and staging.
“I’ve learned how a production is run and all the hard work that is put into one,” says YWA participant Stella Handley, who will be one of the performers at the May 9th showcase.
To remove any barriers to participation, Globus Theatre subsidized all of the youth in this year’s YWA program thanks to supporter donations, the Bobcaygeon CHEST Fund, and fundraising events.
Bloom says she has “had the privilege of watching these amazing individuals grow in confidence and experience,” adding that several of them have applied and been accepted to post-secondary programs for drama and theatre. The YWA program has seen many participants return each year, including Blake Robertson.
“I have been a part of YWA for two years, and the time I have spent there has been invaluable,” Robertson says.
“Before YWA, I struggled with finding myself in the world of acting — just thinking that I could only do one thing — but Rebecca has made me feel comfortable enough to go outside my box, acting in scenes I had never thought possible. YWA has also made it very clear to me what I want to do post-secondary, encouraging me to take what I have learned into the real world of acting.”
As for the May 9th showcase, Globus Theatre says each of the 10 short plays “offers a fresh perspective on life’s most profound themes — time, mortality, and the search for meaning — blending comedy and heart while challenging us to see the bigger picture.” Globus notes that the content of the plays is best suited for audiences 14 years and older.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, and are available in advance online at globustheatre.com/shows-all/youth-winter-arts-showcase or by calling the box office at 705-738-2037 (toll free at 1-800-304-7897). Group bookings are also available.
On the Saturday evening following the YWA showcase, Globus Theatre is also hosting a disco dance trivia party fundraiser that also features a toonie auction and raffle prizes. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, with all proceeds supporting programming of new Canadian plays, accessible professional performances, arts education, and more. More information and advance tickets are available at globustheatre.com/shows-all/disco-dance-trivia-night-fundraiser.
