CANMORE – After a nearly 20-year hiatus, the Canmore Theatre School is making a return to the community.
The school was first opened in 1999 by Karen Barker and ran for five years out of the Mountain Gate Community School.
With a growing interest for a creative outlet for Canmore’s children, Barker was approached about bringing back the school in April 2022.
“I took that as a sign to be a spokesperson for the kids,” she said of looking at whether the school’s name was still registered. “I investigated how we could make this happen, but in a new way. In a way of community so that parents are involved in doing it, those that are seeing the need, rather than driving to Calgary for drama classes.”
After nine months of planning, the school is now ready to open.
Joining Barker at the school is the core teacher and executive director Candise McMullin.
“We know there are performing groups in the Bow Valley and we are thrilled to collaborate and work together to further enrich the community where we live, work and play,” McMullin said.
McMullin has done a lot of the groundwork with the youth in the valley over the last 10 years. Many of the students now attending the school were the students she was teaching in the Bow Valley.
“It gives it a structure,” Barker said. “Now we have a structure, and an umbrella that this can all be in.”
The first term at the school operates for six weeks until Easter, to be followed by term two for another six weeks.
“We are starting with the core,” Barker said. “Basic theatre stuff, movement, improv, to give the kids structure and give them tools. Then we will expand into scene study, script writing.”
Barker and McMullin will be looking at hosting a summer camp, followed by an autumn session when school starts in September.
“The potential and possibilities are endless,” Barker said. “If there is a need, I trust and believe that it will fill itself. Just have to get the birdie to fly.”
Each class will include a warm-up, movement, vocal work, articulation, memory games and writing pieces.
“The last half of the class is with the improvisational games,” Barker said.
For Barker, she sees learning theatre skills as something people carry with them for the rest of their lives.
“It is a lot of personal development skill-set,” Barker said. “It is about confidence, about finding your voice. With that confidence, having clear communication, which is so vital.”
Barker continues to use the skills she herself learned through theatre. Those are the skills she will help instill in the youth of Canmore.
“Theatre taught me to be in the present moment and be a good listener,” Barker said. “That is the skill of being a great actor, to listen, and be present.”
Children’s classes run every Saturday from Jan. 28 to March 11, except Feb. 18. Classes for children aged six to eight run from 10 to 11 a.m., while classes for children aged nine to 11 run from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost for the course is $120, with classes taking place at the Canmore Recreation Centre.
Youth classes run every Wednesday from Jan. 25 to March 15, except Feb. 15 and 22. Youth aged 12 to 14 have class from 5 to 6:30 p.m., while youth aged 15 to 18 have class from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The course is $160, and takes place at the Canmore Scout Hall.
To register, e-mail [email protected].
