Theatre Alberta is thrilled to announce that the RBC Foundation has made a generous donation to support our programs that provide opportunities for Alberta’s emerging theatre artists. Specifically, the funds received will go toward supporting the Artstrek Supervisor Team and costs associated with our annual Emerge auditions.
At RBC, we invest in and value the arts as one way to help encourage creativity, innovation and vibrancy locally. We are especially proud to support Theatre Alberta and offer programs to help artists bridge the gap from emerging to established, and advance their career. ~ Ron Sauve, Regional Vice President, Alberta Central, RBC
Each year, Theatre Alberta hires former Artstrek participants to return to the program as Supervisors. The Supervisor Team is an integral part of our summer theatre school, leading fun activities and providing mentorship and guidance to the teenage participants. Supervisors are themselves young people, often on the cusp of making important developmental and career decisions. Many are students in post-secondary Drama or Education programs. Being an Artsrek Supervisor is more than a job, it’s a chance to connect with established artists, bond with future colleagues, and develop skills they’ll use in future artistic pursuits.
As an Artstrek Supervisor, I developed my ability to engage groups of teens and get them to participate in activities in entertaining ways. This kind of interactivity is something I am currently pursuing in my artistic career, as I strive to integrate authentic participation into the plays I make. ~ Carmen Osahor, Edmonton-based theatre/movement artist
Theatre Alberta’s Emerge is a general audition showcase of graduates from post-secondary actor training programs from across the province. This showcase event builds relationships between emerging artists and the professional theatre community in Alberta. At Emerge 2019, 52 artists from seven of Alberta’s post-secondary actor training programs had the opportunity to meet and audition for industry professionals in both Edmonton and Calgary. Since 2004, Emerge has been a key milestone in the artistic journey of more than 1000 Albertan actors, marking their transition from theatre students to theatre artists
I went to theatre school in Alberta twice, which means I got to experience two rounds of Emerge. I was also an Artstrek Supervisor for 7 years. Both of these Theatre Alberta offerings had a lasting impact on my career and introduced me to friends and artists that I’ve gone on to work with across the country. ~ Bobbi Goddard, Calgary-based professional actor
The RBC Foundation recognizes the vital role the arts play in our communities, and they understand the need to ensure our future artists are given the chance to develop and thrive. With the support of the Foundation, Theatre Alberta will continue to provide exceptional leadership, mentorship, and networking opportunities to emerging artists from across the province. We are honoured to work together with the RBC Foundation to foster the next generation of Albertan theatre artists.
For more information on RBC’s commitment to community, please visit: https://www.rbc.com/community-social-impact/index.html
