A Note from Janet, King's Theatre
King’s Theatre's NEXT GEN THEATRE PROJECT started back in 2023 as a way to build on the enthusiasm within the local community for all things theatre. We offered workshops in every aspect of theatre production, bringing in professionals from all over Nova Scotia to share their experiences with our community. In 2026, we were successful in getting the Canada Post Community Foundation to support the next generation of the Next Gen Project. This grant enabled us to offer a FREE six month program for youth, taking participants on a deep dive of learning about all aspects of theatre. This Showcase shines a light on the work that was done by the Next Gen Theatre youth, with five short plays that they have chosen. In addition, we invited two local youth bands to join the show.
I want to give my most heartfelt thanks to George Clairmont and Jamie Keithline for bringing their wealth of experience and passion to this lucky group of youth, week in and week out, to serve as lead facilitators of the program. We also had several visiting facilitators join the program, and we are very grateful to all of them! They include: Tracy Summerville, Susanna Haley, Rick & Dawn Vroom, Heather Hiscock, Wendy Goudie, Gregory Muszkie, and Alex McLean. Thanks also to our Technical Director, Devin Fraser, for serving as our in-house program host.
The youth participants in the Next Gen Theatre program include: Taran Finch, Kieran Fotheringham, Khadi Hiscock, Auden Wolfe, Erik Lehneis, Susan Elniski, Grace Newman, Kelly Rose, Arte Finch, Felicity Berryman, Laura CooperWagner, and Hannah Riddett.
Early participants also included: Hannah Boucher, Wyatt Keddy, Elliott Larkin, Oak Minor, Isla Patterson, Asher Aeichele, Dma Anson, Charlie MacAlpine, Kiera Martell, Harper Meuse, Neyeya, and Finn.
Participants in the Showcase bands are: Hamish Murray, Portia Murray, Logan DiValerio, Riley DiValerio, Ellis Anderson, Dma Anson, and Elliott Larkin.
Thanks so much to everyone who chose to come out tonight and support our incredibly talented local youth — the NEXT GEN!
Janet Larkman (she/her)
Executive Director, King’s Theatre
A Note from George and Jamie, Workshop Coordinators
Our goal with this program was to help a diverse group of young performers learn the skills needed to put on productions of their own. It was an ambitious goal, but we built the workshop around the central concept of “collaboration."
We began with 25 youth aged 8-16. We knew not everyone would be able to commit to the full 22 weeks so we loaded the first weeks of the workshop with guest speakers teaching participants about set design, costuming, directing, stage management and more; all the aspects of putting on a play. Everyone learned something new every week, including the workshop coordinators and the special guests!
The second half of the process was working toward this production. We needed full commitment from our participants and their families to stick with us to the end. The 13 members Next Gen troupe on stage tonight were able to make that commitment and gave us more than we asked for. Along the way they developed the ability to work together, make their own decisions and problem-solve their way through challenges. With guidance, they picked the plays and unanimously selected directors for each one. They organized themselves into groups, led each other in making discoveries that backed up their choices, and everyone worked extra rehearsals to bring it all together into a solid production.
Each and every session was an opportunity to review what we had learned together and use that collective knowledge to push our project into the future. “These are the dreamers of dreams.” These are the Next Gen players who will create those dreams on the stage for us for many years to come. Please enjoy our dream for you tonight.
Thanks to all of our participants, their families, our special guests, and especially to the funders, and to Janet, Devin and King’s Theatre!
George Clairmont
Jamie Keithline
THE PLAYS
Fear Management
Adapted by Devon Jacobs, original author unknown
Directed by Susan Elniski
Cast: Taran Finch, Kieran Fotheringham, Khadi Hiscock, Auden Wolfe, Erik Lehneis
A Night at the Human Garden
Written by Jeff Dunne
Directed by Grace Newman
Cast: Kelly Rose, Arte Finch, Felicity Berryman, Laura Cooper-Wagner, Hannah Riddett
Performed with permission from The Drama Notebook https://www.dramanotebook.com
Touched by an Alien
Written by D. M. Larsen, from his collection “Between Good and Evil”
Performed with permission from D. M Larsen. You can find his collection at https://sellfy.com/p/s3B1
Directed by Erik Lehneis
Cast: Lola Cork, Arte, Felicity, Erik, Hannah, Laura
Almost Human
Written & Directed by Khadi Hiscock
World premiere performance
Cast: Grace Newman, Susan Elniski, Kelly, Taran, Lola, Kieran
Pyramus and Thisbe (excerpt from A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream)
Written by William Shakespeare, adapted by Jamie Keithline
Directed by Hannah Riddett
Cast: The Ensemble
YOUTH BANDS
Parallels: Ellis Anderson, Dma Anson, Elliott Larkin
Proletariat: Hamish Murray, Portia Murray, Logan DiValerio, Riley DiValerio
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
King’s Theatre is honoured to be on the ancestral and unceded territory of L’nu, also known as the Mi’kmaq Peoples, who have lived and cared for this land since time immemorial. We honour the Peace and Friendship Treaties and acknowledge that we are all treaty people.
The Fog Machine may be in use tonight. It is a non-toxic water-based mist
Phones/Cameras:
We ask that you turn ringers off and refrain from taking photos or videos during shows.
For the comfort of our patrons, King’s Theatre strives to be Scent-Free environment.
Please refrain from wearing scented products to events.
Please return the Reusable Cups to concession! They are available for purchase if you would like to take one home.
COMING SOON
THURSDAY JUNE 18 7:00 PM
WEDNESDAY JUNE 24 7:00 PM
THURSDAY JUNE 25 7:30 PM
SATURDAY JUNE 27 7:00 PM
SUNDAY JUNE 28 3:00 PM
THURSDAY JULY 2 7:00 PM
THURSDAY JULY 2
7:00 PM
SATURDAY JULY 4
7:30 PM
FILMPASS FILMPASS
KING’STHEATRE
King's Theatre was built in 1921 by Arthur M. King, and has been at the heart of Annapolis Royal’s cultural community for over 100 years. In recent years we have completed more than $2 million in facility upgrades that includes new lighting, cinema projection, video capture, and sound -- you can expect crystal clear audio for both live shows and movies.
King’s Theatre’s mandate is to be a catalyst for creativity, social connection, learning, and excellence. Presenting live performances yearround, we offer all genres of music, theatre, contemporary dance, comedy, and spoken word. On screen there’s every kind of cinema, from blockbusters and indies to stage-toscreens. We offer workshops and opportunities for local residents to experience performing on stage, with a special emphasis on youth. With more than 200 events a year, King’s Theatre is one of the busiest small theatres in Canada.
Tue-Fri: 10am-3pm
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tracy Summerville, Chair
Alison Warwick, Vice Chair
Kerrie Picken, Treasurer
Margo Tait, Secretary
Betsy Akin
Thea Boyanowsky
Bob Buchanan
Maggie Cotreau
Caroline Hancock
Phil Hartling
Lesley MacDonald
Michael Westcott
STAFF
Janet Larkman, Executive Director
Tracey Harnish, Bookkeeper
Devin Fraser, Technical Director
Jessica Scott, Box Office & Operations Manager
Gregory Muszkie, House Manager
Jamie Alcorn, Sound Technican
Cali Currie-Timmons, Box Office and House Support
Philip Denuke, Historian
Joseph Walsh, Student Staff
Jax Bailey, Student Staff
Wegratefullyacknowledgethe supportofourgovernmentsponsors.
Nousreconnaissonsavecgratitude l’appuidenospartenaires gouvernementaux.
Thank You to Our Generous
BENEFACTOR
Jan & Cam Albright
Brady & Miriam Code
Here’sthelistofdonorsfromthelast12months, updatedonApril28,2026
AMBASSADOR
Annapolis Board of Trade
Sanford & Associates
Hannilore & James Fisher
Phil & Kathy Hartling
Sheryl & Don Johnston
Eileen Kelleher
Ellie Macklin-Ackerman
Anne Pollett & Morris Walker
Jane & Brian Power-Grimm
Barbara Smith
Bill & Nancy Smith
Andrew & Kim Wilson
CONTRIBUTOR
Betsy Akin
Wilfred Allan
Anonymous x 3
Phillip Bailey
John Bottomley in memoriam
Thea Boyanowsky
Harold & Diane Clapp
Lavena Crocker
Drew Graham-Smith in memoriam
Karen Gregor
Philip Hanshaw
Rich Cianflone & Gregory Scharfen
Scott Digweed & Maurya Braun
Peter & Valerie Hall
Caroline Hancock
Suzan Hebditch
Tom Lynch
Patricia Jean McKeown in memoriam
Matt & Karine Moody
Sharon & Barry Moody
Jane & Peter Nicholson
Donald Sutherland
Helen Harper
Dean & Pam Holt
Kumpula Family
Garth Laidlaw
Carol Lowe
Phil Kent/Heather McCormick
Tom & Huguette May
Tammy Nelson
Teresa Rooney
Lillian Stewart & John Kinsella
Tracy Summerville & Keith Egger
Margo Tait
SUPPORTER
Tyson Acker
Carmenchita Antonio
Bobbie Archer
Anonymous x 5
Elsa Beattie
Sam Boer
Jane Borecky
John Bottomley in memoriam
Gary Bradley
David Britton
Joanne Waugh & John Carriere
Kate Newman
Jeannine Comeau
Anne Crossman
Port Royal Animal Hospital
Penelope Curran & Robert Buchanan
Naomi & Ian Davidson
Sheila Duggan & Ev Lavender
Madelene Embree
Rita Ernestsons
Garry Freeman
Joanna & Gerry Gladwin
Lesley Griffiths
Mark Hebert
Michael & Edith Holloway
Noel & Cindy Hudson
Jean Johnston
Marilyn Krajc
Fred Kuhnle
Deb Kuzyk
Eric Leblanc & Bruce Mckinnon
Ted Leighton
Lesley MacDonald
Kirsten & Charles MacLean
Ronald Marshall
Mireille Messier & Ian Partridge
Alex Morrison
Nancy Murdock & Barry Thompson
Kevin & Marsha Nettle
Kathryn Nicholson
Susie & Eric Norris
Julie Palmer
Carol Parsons
Robin Louise Pile
John & Beth Pineo
Jim Bent in memoriam
Rhonda Power
Carolyn Robertson
Peter Rodgers
Debra Ryan
Marcia Sanford
AC Silver
Chad Simmons
Anona Siwik
Carol & Wayne St-Amour
Brian Sturney
Honour Tett
Debora Thomas-Martin
Jim Thurber
Troy Wallace
Alison Warwick
Micheal Westcott
Ian & Bev Weston
Rebekah & Andrew Wetmore
FRIEND
Deanna Amero
Cheryl Anderson
Anonymous x 38
Kirk & Mary Ann Anderson
Iris & Brian Andrews
Sam Anson
Belinda Atwell
David Baker
Poppy Balser
Cindy Banks
Richard Berens
Blackwoods Bread & Roses Inn
Rob & Laura Bright
Laurel Brown
Margaret Bruce
Vera Burne
Mary Burnett
Bill Carpenter
Susan Carroll
Sarah Charlesworth
BFC Inc.
Jennifer Chivers
John Clarke
Judy Clayton
Lynn & Paul Corbett
Phillip Cormier Property Services
Crewson Family
Anne Curtain
Olivia, Sam & Emmett Day
Mary deCuypere
Cathy Delaney
Jacques Doucet
Jennifer Eaton
Brenda & Neal Forbes
Kerry Foster
Margie Friedman
Gamberg Family
Kim Grimard
Flora Hall In Memoriam
Brant Hamilton Brown
Jane Hatcher
Maidpro of Annapolis Valley
Hickey Family
Lesley Hopkins
Maureen Horne-Paul
Stu & Lee Jamieson
Krista Kennedy
Sharon Irving-Kennedy
Odella Klassen
Tamara Kreutz
Lorraine Landry
Susan Langpap
Miles Leahy
Carol Lockyer in memoriam
Larry & Elixabeth Lohnes
Linda Low
Deborah Lucki
Barry Lynds
Calvin & Sheryl MacDonald
Natalya & Len MacNeil
Peter & Cathy Malon
Ann McCormack
Mary McEachern
Jean McGinis
Alison McLellan Art
Gary Mcormond
Julie & Tim Mollins
Cynthia Morrell
Bulent Mutus
Anna-Kate Newman
Sharon Nicolle
Bear River Plastic Welding Inc
Sylvia & Steve Pauls
Yane & Richard Petley- Jones
Jordan Pickup
Donica Pottie
David Priddle
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Tom & Peg Reinfuss
Jasmine Smikle
Matthew Riddett
Stephen Robertson
Matt & Kari Rouse
Amy Rubin
Dutchess Sabovitch
Donna Shea
Jean Robinson
Indio Smolar
Stapleton Family
Susan Tileston
William Underwood
Joey Vaughan
Kellen Voyer & Emma WindsorLiscombe
Lynn Walden
Kay Whelan
Katherine Williams
Carol Woodland
Garth Wyman
Christine & Glen Young
