Gossip
over tea, fights over laundry and pancakes caused a ruckus in the
lives of actors during the Performers Playhouse, the finale for
the Bells Point Elementary Schools drama week.
All
the plays came from their own heads, we didnt write a script
or anything, said Lance Larocque, one of the three workshop facilitators
for the Saskatchewan Native Theatre, who spent a week working with
children and youth at the school Aug. 10 through 13.
Throughout
the week the participants learned some of the basic techniques of
the theatre, in a fun way; they also had the opportunity
to practice the skills they learned.
Playing
games was one of the first tools used to teach participants; they
also worked on acting skills, voice and they made masks, said Aaron
Shingoose, another of the workshop facilitators.
We
did a lot of activities to engage their own imagination. Like thats
one of the key things with theatre, imagination, one of the things
these kids have a strong sense of, Shingoose said.
Theatre
and performing arts are also an important part of Aboriginal culture,
Shingoose said.
Its
like, any culture the performing arts really helps define its culture.
I think every town, no matter how small, should have a drama committee.
And
the benefits for children and youth include increased self-confidence,
learning team building skills, assisting them in overcoming shyness
and an outlet for their own creativity.
It
allows them to explore themselves, look at their own feelings; it
allows them to express them (feelings), express themselves more
clearly, Gerard said, who is heading into education in the
fall and said the experience with SNT is a good grounding for his
future teaching plans. The groups carries tubs of props and costumes,
ready for use by workshop participants, along with them as they
tour.
The
students performed four plays, which they created, workshoped and
performed, before a full house, during the closing Performers
Playhouse. They were: Fighting Over Laundry, A Robbery, The Grannies
Smack Down and All Because of the Pancakes.
This
community should get a drama program started because these are some
really creative kids, Shingoose said.
SNT
offers workshops to communities across the province on a first come
first serve basis, because otherwise we would have 20 communities
and we can only handle seven or eight, he said.
Jesse
Gerard, the third facilitator, worked behind the scenes to keep
things going most of the week. All three bring much theatre experience;
theyve done a lot of drama.
Both
Larocque and Shingoose completed the SNTs Circle of Voice
program, which is offered to assist young people between 18 and
30 get on their feet, Shingoose said.
Lance
and me are part of the Red Spirit program, which is a more intense
theatre training (through SNT), he said, adding, both actors
have experience working in other plays.
Both
were in La Ronge previously as part of the SGI Roadies play, Shingoose
said.
The
trio is looking forward to the next big SNT production, Rez Christmas
Story, in Saskatoon later this year.
SNT
also provided workshops in Cumberland House, Moose Jaw, Red Pheasant
First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation and Saskatoon; they will travel
from La Ronge to La Loche for the final week of workshops for the
summer.
Participants
in the workshop were: Taylor Morin, Austin McKenzie, Austin Sanderson,
Brittney Keighley, Leah Fitch-Halkett, Dana Pelletier, Tyris Roberts,
Hunter Ratt, Andrea Ratt, Selina Bradfield, Tabitha Roberts, Mason
Charles, Ethan Bell, Gavin Bell, Bryce Ballentyne and Jonas Roberts.
|