As Theatre Alberta prepares to welcome Alberta’s emerging theatre artists at the 2023 editions of both Emerge and Artstrek, we are thrilled to share some exciting and special news with our community…
This April we will celebrate the 20th year of our general audition program for graduates of Alberta’s post-secondary theatre programs–and in recognition of this milestone—it will be called RBC EMERGE thanks to generous support from RBC.
RBC is also continuing to support ARTSTREK, which is celebrating 25 years at Red Deer Polytechnic this summer, and the third year of our mentorship program for Indigenous, Black, and Emerging Artists of Colour from both RBC EMERGE and ARTSTREK.
“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.” ~ Jerilynn Daniels, Director, Community Marketing & Citizenship, RBC
RBC EMERGE is a general audition showcase of graduates from post-secondary acting training programs from across the province. The event helps to foster relationships between emerging artists and the professional theatre community. More than 1,100 Albertan actors have marked their transition from theatre students to theatre artists at Emerge since 2004. This year, we are welcoming performers from the Universities of Alberta, Calgary, and Lethbridge, Concordia University of Edmonton, Ambrose University, and Company of Rogues Actors’ Studio. Graduating design, production, and stage management students will also showcase their work at the events.
“My experience with RBC Emerge Calgary and Edmonton this year opened my eyes to more talented people emerging in this industry. It was a blast to connect with theatre companies I have been longing to work with and having most of them all in one space to see me! Though I was nervous, I was equally excited to get acquainted with folks! I have also had the privilege of both attending Artstrek as a camper, and recently participating as a Super, and both experiences could not top the other. Artstrek is a home and starting ground for many young artists, it gives you a place to play, collaborate, and use your imagination to the next level. It was such a highlight to my year!” ~ Kijo Eunice Gatama, Edmonton-based emerging actor and producer
ARTSTREK 2023 is celebrating 25 years in Red Deer! This summer Artstrek students, alongside their instructors and supervisors, will study Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. RBC helps Theatre Alberta ensure our Artstrek Supervisors, emerging leaders who recently attended Artstrek as students, are ready to support our students with all of their needs during camp.
For the past two years, with the support of RBC, we have paired ten IBPOC emerging artists from the Emerge and Artstrek communities with ten IBPOC mentors–creating meaningful connections that were specific to the artists’ current needs and interests. A huge thank you to all of our mentors so far–Trey Anthony, Ajay Badoni, Dean Bareham, Helen Belay, Mari Chartier, Nadien Chu, Sheldon Elter, Cheryl Foggo, Josh Languedoc, Simone A. Medina Polo, Bianca Miranda, Mukonzi Musyoki, Kristen Padayas, Makambe Simamba, Michelle Todd, Marshall Vielle, Ken Williams, and Ruth Wong-Miller. We are looking forward to another successful year ahead with new artists and new mentors!
“Mentoring our new up and coming artists is important for their development and assists them to become a well-rounded art maker. Many of us, including myself, had that important person in our life that set our trajectory or inspired us to make the arts our careers. I believe it’s important to give back to the community that supported me and to pass on my knowledge, maybe some wisdom, and definitely some do’s and don’ts for the up and coming artist. In return, I get to be energized by all that drive and creativity, and contribute to the perpetuation of the art form as well as the growth of the art makers of the future.” ~Dean Bareham, Artistic Director, Green Fools Theatre and 2022 Mentor
RBC 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 RBC, 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 RBC 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/emerging-artists.html
