Programs that encourage youth to actively participate in something other than digital dialogues are to be cheered on for their efforts to engage young people.
Sports activities are prominent, but honestly, the arts are making a statement in this area as well. Sometimes it isn’t always happening on this side of the river.
As part of its new strategy to provide opportunities for youth to participate in and enjoy the arts, Massey Theatre in New Westminster is working with local artists and companies to present fun, low-cost arts workshops for youth.
Some of these activities will be in connection with shows happening at the Massey. Monster Theatre, which is bringing their new adaptation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to the Massey Stage on March 25 (2 p.m.), are doing a one-day Improv Theatre class on March 24.
These workshops are meant to encourage youth to feel the Massey belongs to them as much as to the rest of the community.
Sorry for the short notice, but there are more programs planned, including a five-session visual art workshop focusing on Indigenous Art techniques. Both programs take place at Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave, New Westminster). More information can be found at masseytheatre.com and on Facebook.
Youth can register for the Improv workshop (March 24, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., $25) at ticketsNW.ca.
Improv workshops are fun and are good learning tools for actors. Before you can hope to be a good actor, you have to learn about yourself. How to respond to what is around you makes Improv a challenge. Maybe it is best to watch some good improv theatre before testing yourself.
Centre Stage at Surrey City Hall (13450 – 104 Avenue) features icons of improv Vancouver TheatreSports League with Comedy Unscripted: Improv with a Twist, March 31, 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 to 25, including all fees. For advance tickets call Surrey Civic Theatres Box Office at 604-501-5566 or visit tickets.surrey.ca. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Improv is definitely entertaining and every show is totally different because it is all made up on the spot.
Have you ever watched Whose Line is it Anyway on TV? Believe it or not, some of those celebrities (Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie) have been at one time been part of VTSL. The troupe has become a world-wide phenom since opening doors at the Back Alley Theatre in 1980.
See? We are known for more than having been the site of a world’s fair and a winter olympics.
VTSL continues to wow audiences at The Improv Centre on Granville Island, performing to more than 60,000 enthusiasts yearly. We welcome this funny group to Surrey, and maybe the new Centre Stage at Surrey City Hall is the perfect venue for VTSL.
Just be aware that parking is not free, unless you find something on the street a few blocks away.
Don’t forget, Surrey Little Theatre is hosting an improv workshop with Linda McRae. McRae is an actor, director, writer and teacher with more than 20 years of experience and she will head up Scared Scriptless, a program with improvisation and theatre games that will improve participants confidence, self esteem, communication skills, and creativity and imagination while having hilarious fun. This is for teens.
Workshop is March 28 to May 16th Tuesdays, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Surrey Little Theatre 7027 184th Street. Cost: is $120.
Class size is limited to 12. For Registration or more information email info@surreylittletheatre.com. Opportunities abound. Detach from your smart phone and engage in real life in real time.