This year will be my third year attending Artstrek and I do not have enough praise I could give it. Since my first year at Artstrek my love of the arts and artists in the Alberta community has grown.
~Artstrek 2015 student
Theatre Alberta’s Artstrek – A Summer Theatre School for Teens – is a special place.
Every July, we welcome hundreds of Alberta teenagers, aged 12 – 18, to explore theatre and stagecraft with their peers at Red Deer College, guided by professional artists and educators. In 2015, Artstrek will celebrate its 55th year of operation in Alberta, a grand tradition of theatre education in this province. For many teens, Artstrek is part a summer tradition; it is not uncommon to see the same students return to Artstrek year after year.
And this summer, we also celebrate our special partnership with Cenovus Energy. In 2012, Cenovus Energy began its relationship with us by providing a $5,000 donation to support our Artstrek Scholarship Program, which provides additional subsidies to Artstrek program fees to students in financial need. In 2013, Cenovus Energy donated $75,000, allocated over three years, to support Theatre Alberta as we expanded Artstrek into a three-week program and increased student capacity by 30%.
At its core, Artstrek is place to learn in depth the world of theatre and stagecraft. Through one very busy, very full week, the camp also becomes a place that cultivates leadership skills. We encourage students to think creatively and solve complex problems. We work to create an environment where students have permission to be totally ridiculous, totally honest, and their absolute truest selves. We study theatre and plays; we value tolerance and acceptance of ideas and people.
It’s surreal; watching people shed their personal burdens and realize that for one week, they can just be themselves. They don’t have to worry about being bullied or ostracized or discriminated against in any way.
~ Artstrek 2015 student
Cenovus believes in supporting young people in the communities where they live and work by helping them build the skills they need to reach their full potential. They recognize that partnering with community organizations and investing in programs that focus on opportunities for youth has a positive impact and provides them with the skills they need to build a bright future.
Before Theatre Alberta expanded Artstrek in 2013, we had sold out for eight years, with dozens of students on waiting lists who were not able to attend. The generous donation provided by Cenovus Energy supported our efforts to expand the program without raising program fees for parents. Our combined efforts have helped make this special place available to any teen in Alberta passionate to learn more about theatre.
Artstrek gave me something nothing else could. It gave me true friends: friends that understood my interests and problems. It gave me so much confidence and taught me that you’re not alone when it comes to [being passionate about] acting, singing, and dancing. …To me, Artstrek is home.
~ Artstrek 2015 student
Thank you to Cenovus Energy, and to all of our funders, for their support of Artstrek.
Artstrek still has plenty of room for students in all three Exploration weeks! Register now for Alberta’s legendary summer theatre school for teens. Learn more about the program at theatrealberta.com/artstrek.
