One local public school board is joining the Stratford Festival to offer a new Arts education experience.
The Avon Maitland District school board and the festival will launch "My Academy" next February.
The program is a chance to work with and learn from a broad variety of festival personnel. The study will include acting, costume, set design, lighting, sound and stage management.
“We’re delighted to be able to make this opportunity available to students in Avon Maitland Schools,” says Executive Director Anita Gaffney. “Not only will My Academy help participants develop new skills and gain insight into different theatrical careers, but it will also allow them to build important relationships within the theatre community.”
The two part program involves an after school session open to all Grade 7 to 12 students. The second part is a one credit course called Exploring and Creating in the Arts, which will be offered at Stratford Central Secondary School.
“We are tremendously excited about our new partnership with the Stratford Festival,” says Jane Morris, Superintendent of Education at the Avon Maitland District School Board. "As our nation’s leading classical theatre, the festival will help us to provide unique and enriching learning experiences for our students.”
The program culminates in an abridged production of one of Shakespeare's works at the festival's Studio Theatre next May.
"The Stratford Festival family of production crew, artistic personnel and teaching artists from the Education Department have all expressed enthusiastic interest in delivering this program," says Resident Teaching Artist Edward Daranyi.
