Youth Theatre Classes come to Strathmore

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

Youth Theatre Classes Strathmore is officially entering stage right.

The new non-profit theatre group is currently the fall session open to students Grade 2-4. 

However, because of a spike in demand, they will be offering two classes in the new year; one for Grades 2-4 and a second for Grades 5-7. 

Lynn Elkin was approached by a few families to start a youth theatre class here in Strathmore. Once she received the go ahead from The Strathmore Theatre Players’ Guild, she was all set to get going with this exciting project. 

Other members of the team include Mandy Ball, lead instructor along with Elkin and Chelsea Hall, who have a background in vocal and costume design. 

“I agreed to lead the classes because, as a mom and grandma with 25 years of community theatre background, I believe that every child should have the opportunity to experience these types of activities right in their own community and should have opportunities outside of school for sport, service and the arts in their lives,” she said.

Currently the classes are run out of The Vault, however in the new year the youth theatre will be moving practices to the Strathmore United Church where the students will have more room to explore all the different forms of theatre.  

“The Vault was very generous when helping us get started,” she said. 

Elkin clarifies that they’ve just outgrown the space. “Theatre involves a lot of movement and dance and physicality,” said Elkin. “Theatre helps them express themselves in different ways. It helps them build a little bit of self-confidence and risk taking.” 

Elkin emphasize the importance of theatre to a community like Strathmore. 

The fall class will have 11 sessions (including the final show).  After Christmas the classes will consist of 11 sessions and a finale. In these sessions the students will work on mini plays, small skits, and theatre games as well as explore the different aspects of theatre 

“Theatre is both on stage and off,” she said. 

Elkin explains other than acting, theatre also includes props, costume design and set design. 

For the final class the students’ families are invited to attend so that they can see what they’ve been working on. 

“I think the kids are really excited,” she said. 

Elkin calls the session finale “their works in progress.”

It’s described as “a special night where the family can come together to watch and be a part of their final time together.”

Numbers are limited to 8-10 students per class. Winter registration is open and will run from Jan. 18 to April 5. Classes run for Grade 2-4 from 6-7 p.m. and Grade 5-7 from 7-8:15 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. 

There will be an information session for enrolled students and their families Jan. 11  at the normal scheduled time for each class. Classes are $100 and the fees go towards supplies, as everyone involved is a volunteer. 

If you would like more information or to register you can visit their website at youththeatreclasses.ca, on Facebook (Youth Theatre Classes Strathmore) or contact Lynn Elkin directly at 867-446-2873.