Centre for the Arts

The Centre has had a focus on youth work since its opening with the March Break Film Camp for Teens in March, 2003. To date we have run ten Camps, one during March Break and one in August every year.

Out of one of the Camps the Youth Association was formed. This was helping to meet a need that the youth have to find a space where their aspirations can be fulfilled and their concerns heard and dealt with. The Youth Association has made three movies, created a new play in the Summer Theatre Project, performed scenes in the Shakespeare for Teens, and participates in all the activities of the Centre.

The On-Camera for Teens acting class run by Shannon Barnett is another activity at the Centre that has brought many teens through the doors. This work is part of our Professional Actor Training Program.

"…because of the Centre for the Arts...because I helped give rise to it, initiate it...I painted it's walls, took classes there, met friends there...it would ensue that while auditioning for a CFA Young Company play project, I was invited by the director to audition for a film he was casting next door...and I booked my first major lead in a feature film! I am forever grateful to the Centre for the Arts and what it stands for. "

Laura Jordan,
Actor, Young Company Member.

On Friday February 23, 2007 a one-day filmmaking workshop for students from Greenwood College was led by Shannon Barnett and Troy Miller. 10 students had the opportunity to experience all the basics of filmmaking during this intensive one day ‘film camp’. The teens wrote modern scenes based on Oedipus Rex and produced short films that were screened and critiqued at the end of the day. The head of the arts program at Greenwood was very pleased and said she wanted to continue the Centre’s four-year role of providing arts training to their students. Both Shannon and Troy have had extensive experience in leading activities at the Centre including Film Camps for Teens, Independent Short Film Screenings, On-camera acting classes, Filmmaker-in-Residence, the Young Company and more.