Kids' Curtain Academy: No experience needed

Kids interested in getting involved in the theatre scene are invited to enroll in the second semester of Theatre Cambrian's Kids' Curtain Academy.

The program, which runs 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays, mentors elementary school kids aged six to 14 in a wide variety of disciplines, including acting, solo and group voice technique and dance.

The next session of Kids' Curtain Academy starts Feb. 20 and runs until June. Theatre Cambrian also has a training program for youth in high school, but it only runs in the fall.

“It's a great way for young ones to get involved in theatre,” said Theatre Cambrian executive director Mark Mannisto.

“It doesn't matter if you have any experience or you don't have any experience. This is all about experiencing what it's like to do theatre.”

At the end of the program, participants stage a full musical.

“Just this past weekend, we staged the musical program of Annie, and that was to close off our first semester of Kids' Curtain Academy,” Mannisto said.

“Man, I've got to tell you, the kids did so, so good. It really is a testament to the mind of a youth.

“They just absorb so much. They're able to just have fun and not care about what other people think. They just go up there and focus on the art.”

He said they haven't yet decided what musical they'll be staging in the program's second semester.

Sessions are limited to 30 children. The fee is $315 per child. To enroll your child, phone 705-524-7317 or visit theatrecambrian.ca.