A YPT Tradition

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Throughout our 47 year history, YPT has seen many of our young audience members grow up to become parents and grandparents, and we are always excited when they return with children and grandchildren of their own.

Last year, we were lucky enough to reconnect with Andrea Ryan. Andrea’s mom used to bring her to YPT with a group of family friends and she was eager to introduce her own daughter to the experience. I was lucky enough to learn a bit about Andrea’s memories of YPT and her family’s new experiences at our theatre.

Who first introduced you to Young People’s Theatre?

My mom first introduced me to YPT when I was about 8.

What do you remember about your first trip to YPT? What show did you see?

Seeing as that was over 24 years ago, I don’t remember what show I first saw, but our trips to YPT were always an adventure.  Driving down from Barrie with family friends, we made an afternoon out of it.  We would eat at a diner down the street and then go to the show.

What made you decide to return to YPT with your child?

I really appreciated the experience I had as a child being introduced to theatre.  My love for live theatre and stage productions is still alive today and I think that the exposure I had through YPT as a child fostered it.  I hope that my kids will learn to appreciate theatre as much as I do through the YPT program.  

What is different from what you remember as a child?

I remember the theatre being a lot bigger, but I am sure it was just simply the fact that I was much smaller the last time I was there.

What is the same?

The atmosphere and the obvious love of their craft by the performers.  

What is your favourite or most memorable YPT experience?

Hard to say – honestly, I never remember a bad experience – they were all memorable.  

What is the value for you, as an adult, in returning to YPT?  

Watching the expression on my daughter’s face and watching her take part in the Q&A at the end of the show.  I can see her becoming wrapped up in the story.  It also inspires great conversation on the way home.  

What do you find to be the value for your child? 

There is something so incredibly valuable about being in front of a stage play – to see the actors, in person, tell their story and feel as though you are there experiencing it with them.  It also helped my daughter express herself through play at home – we re-enacted some of the story as she passed it onto her 3-year-old brother (a future YPT attendee, I assure you)!

Do you have any family traditions attached to your theatre visits?

I don’t know the name of the diner down the street but as a child we went there each time.  It was a retro-70′s themed diner with black and white tile floors, juke boxes at each table, and fun food.  

Andrea’s description of the diner she used to go to makes me think it might be the old Shopsy’s on the corner of Yonge and Front. If anyone agrees, or has a better idea as to the name of the diner, drop us an e-mail at online@youngpeoplestheatre.ca. We’d really like to solve this mystery and let her know!

Do you have any favourite YPT memories or theatre-going traditions you’d like to share? We’d love to hear about them –comment below or send us an e-mail at online@youngpeoplestheatre.ca.

When I Was a Kid (Feat. Stephen Colella)

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Today’s “When I Was a Kid” Feature: YPT Dramaturg, Stephen Colella!

A younger Stephen.

When I was a kid…

I wanted to be a veterinarian when I grew up.

I strongly believed… that my stuffed animals or other toys would be sad if I got rid of them or if they got damaged.

I always got in trouble… when I got caught. Fortunately that wasn’t often.

I used to see a number of shows… at the Valley Forge Music Center, in the round, but I can’t remember what they were. The first play I recall vividly was Peter Schaffer’s Amadeus.

I was afraid of… the dark.

My favourite toy or game were… books.

My favourite book was… A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein.

My favourite place to be was… outside in my grandmother’s yard.

My grandmom once told me… that when you cry, angels collect the tears in a jar and when the jar is full you died. I was four and crying at the time.  This was an attempt to stop me from crying. Suffice to say, I started crying more.

Something that hasn’t changed about me since I was a kid?

I’m still a kid.

 

Flashmob – Bollywood Style

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You are invited to the Ball!

The cast of Cinderella (a RATical retelling) has been working hard rehearsing for the show which opens on November 15th, but you have a part to play too!

When the Prince says, “Mere Jaise Karo!” (loosely translated from Hindi as: “Just follow me!”), that is your cue to get up and dance. Check out the link below to learn the moves and then join in the scene from your seat.

Have any questions? Please contact Karen Gilodo, Educational Services Director at kgilodo@youngpeoplestheatre.ca .

Cinderella (a RATical retelling)

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Happy Opening!

Tonight marks the opening of Mike Kenny’s unique retelling of the classic story of Cinderella at YPT. He also adapted E. Nesbit’s The Railway Children for the stage. This rendition of Cinderella has been presented in the United Kingdom, but never before in Canada. We are very happy to be the first to stage Cinderella (a RATical retelling) in North America!

We get to see the hard work and skill of the actors onstage everyday as they perform, but there are a lot of people behind-the-scenes, and many steps throughout the production process, that we don’t get to see. An important part of this production of Cinderella (a RATical retelling) is the set and costumes. When you come to see the show, you will have the chance to take in the remarkable work of our Set & Costume Designer, Robin Fisher. Robin worked with Allen MacInnis, our Artistic Director and the director of this production, as well as with the experienced members of our Production Department including scenic artists, carpenters and prop-builders, in order to realize her vision.

A peek into some of the intricate planning and hard work that has gone into building this production can be seen here as Robin and Allen examine the set it in the form of a maquette, which is a scale model of the set:(L-R): Robin Fisher, Set & Costume Designer and Allen MacInnis, Artistic Director and Director of Cinderella (a RATical retelling). Photo Credit: Jan Borkowski.

We can’t wait to see the bigger-than-life-sized version of the set when Cinderella goes to the ball! We’re especially excited to see the chandelier at the King’s Palace, which is just one of the many parts of the production that has been created right here in our building at165 Front Street East.

Cinderella (a RATical retelling) will be playing on our Mainstage until December 30th. If you would like to learn more about the show you can download our Study Guide, packed with behind-the-scenes info and exciting pre- and post-show exercises. If you are interested in exploring what goes on behind-the-scenes, please attend one of our Tools of the Trade performances which includes a special Q&A session with members of our production team.

The Chronicles of a New Drama Teacher

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We asked Kevin Doe, a dynamic and talented teacher who did a placement with us here at YPT last season in Educational Services and in our Drama School, to tell us a little bit about his first few months in the classroom as a first-year Drama teacher. ______________________________________________________________________________

A much younger Kevin shows he has always been theatrical.

“I’m sorry – could you repeat that please? I have a job AND I get to teach drama, direct a school play, and start a Glee Club? Where do I sign?!”

This conversation is the abridged version of what happened to me this summer with my new employer.

To add some context to my incredulous comments, all throughout my years at university and teacher’s college, I was told continuously that there were no jobs for new graduates and that I would have to wait one to five years to find even a part- time job. Unfortunately, this is still the situation for many of my friends who are still finding their way through student debt and what career they should choose. I was incredibly fortunate to be asked for an interview and to be hired to teach in an area that is my specialty and that I love so much: DRAMA!

We are now a couple of months into classes: I have built a positive, inclusive, and fun (yet strict and hardworking) environment for the students in my class. I have started to learn Mandarin, even though I am a slow pupil, to better connect with the international students in my classroom.

I can safely say that I now have the utmost respect for the many, many, many teachers who have had the great (mis)fortune of teaching me. People have said, “Oh teaching, what great hours! You only have to teach during the day, have your nights and weekends off, and get excellent holidays.” There may be some merit to these comments, however I can tell you first-hand that this is not the case.

Like many of the teachers I have had in my life, I am constantly thinking about school. Constantly.  How can I engage my students, what will make The Tempest exciting to 13 year-olds, how can I teach English to students struggling to learn the language, and the list goes on and on… Like any professional, I am always looking for professional development opportunities, even if it means simply speaking with another teacher and learning from them – I have been in contact with most of my former high school teachers and have asked them for as much advice as they could muster up! It has been so beneficial.

A few things I have learned so far this year and advice that I would give to other incoming teachers:

Be prepared…

  • to lose sleep. You will be thinking about your classes every day and every night – even on weekends. You will always be thinking of and creating new ways to engage your students. Be prepared to only see your friends periodically. It is sad, but true.
  • to use technology, especially if you are teaching English Language Learners.  I often imagine myself in a Mandarin classroom and think about how difficult I would find it if someone only spoke to me in Mandarin. Use videos, Youtube, and pictures to create a better understanding of class material. This is something that has been really effective in my classes thus far.
  • to be more organized than you have ever needed to be in your life! Even in university, I was never this organized. I have colour coded my classes (and my life) into folders, pens, and highlighters, I have post-it notes of lists, I have a massive agenda, and I have binders upon binders upon binders of materials for my classes. My life is a list and I love it.
  • to HAVE FUN! Oh my goodness, have so much fun. High school students are hilarious (even when they are misbehaving). If you can’t laugh at yourself, if you can’t laugh with your students, and if you can’t enjoy yourself – what is the point? Make sure you infuse your classes with as much joy and fun as you can.

Anyway, I have to go prepare some more lesson plans for the six courses I’m teaching. How do I do it?

That’s one secret I’ll never tell.

Sincerely,
Mr. First-Year Can’t Get Enough Caffeine Drama Teacher

When I Was a Kid (Feat. Allen MacInnis)

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The next installment of our “When I Was a Kid” series. With each of these posts, we will introduce you to a different member of staff here at YPT and give you the chance to learn a little bit more about their younger selves.

Today’s “When I Was a Kid” Feature: Artistic Director, Allen MacInnis!

When I was a kid…  I always had a song in my head – everything from the last thing I heard on the radio to songs from my favourite album to commercial jingles.

I wanted to be a bassoonist when I grew up.

I always got in trouble when…  Actually, I rarely got in trouble. I avoided conflict. 

The first play I saw was… a 1920s musical called The Boyfriend (I saw it in the 1970s.)

My parents always told me… to eat everything on my plate.

My favourite thing to eat was… lemon meringue pie, because in my house it was always home-made.

I was afraid of… very little.

My favourite game was… Red Rover. 

I strongly believed that… I wouldn’t live past 40 because a Ouija board said so – I’m 56. 

I looked up to… very few people, because I was always the tallest. J

My favourite place to be was… church when no one else was there 

I got really annoyed when… I needed new glasses, because my eyes kept changing every six months for almost eight years.

My favourite teacher was… Mrs. Lupul, because everyone thought she was mean but I knew she wasn’t.

My favourite books were… the Hardy Boys mysteries. 

Something that hasn’t changed about me since I was a kid? My eyesight is still getting worse.