BY SHIRA FORSYTH
Stupefied Theatrical Productions is a community non profit theatre company that offers a children’s theatre program that is inclusive to all children from Grade 1 to 8. This program runs an Intermediate Youth Group on Monday’s and Wednesday’s after school until 6 pm and a Kinder Stages program on Saturday mornings from 10 am to 11:30 am. Depending on the level of experience some children may be moved up into a different level. However, NO EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED to join Stupefied!
There is also a 2 week summer theatre boot camp that runs out of the Goodwood Community Centre and this program provides children entering grade 3 in September to grade 8 a chance to play loads of games inside and outside, theatre games, and produce a 1 Act musical to be performed on the final day of camp. Costumes, make up, and props are provided to give the kids a chance to have an opportunity to do a lighter version of a full musical. At the conclusion of each program, children are given a ballot (much like the Tony Awards) where they are given a chance to support their fellow peers and vote for each person on the category that they feel best suits each individual that they have worked and played with. Every child wins an award and a framed certificate. Every child is valued and every child achieves recognition of their improvements and accomplishments! This also offers the children a chance to give something back to each other. To learn how to be supportive and encouraging to one another as one team. One happy ensemble.
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During the summer theatre boot camp each child receives an award and a framed certificate for their accomplishments and improvements and for surviving Theatre “Boot Camp”!
Both programs offer children a chance to learn all facets of the theatre world. There are tutorials, proper audition instruction, monologue exercises, breathing techniques, dancing instruction, singing instruction, acting instruction with character development. Each child is GUARANTEED A ROLE. Each student is given the opportunity to have lines, sing and dance as an ensemble. There are memorization skills that are taught and all of this is instructed in a non competitive and nurturing environment.
Stupefied offers a fall/winter session which runs from Sept-Feb and a spring session which runs from Feb-June. Both programs are for the Intermediate Youth Group and both programs offer an opportunity for the children to produce a full 2 Act Musical where they will perform three shows at the Uxbridge Music Hall with lights, costumes, hair, make up, sets, props...Broadway style! The Kinder Stages program runs throughout the year from Oct-June and offers the Kinder Stages children to produce a mini 1 Act pre-show that is performed before the Intermediate Youth Group take the stage in June.
Stupefied’s founder and instructor Shira Forsyth has a strong belief for her programs. She believes that at the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished...it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better and what you’ve given back. There is an Instagram and Facebook page and families are encouraged to review their experiences and their children’s experiences with Stupefied and so far Stupefied has received a 5 star rating with extremely positive comments where children have built up on so many skills that have helped them directly in their education, dealing with peers, and in their every day lives.
To contact Stupefied to enquire 647 458 3125 or stupefiedtheatricalproductions@ gmail.com
Shira Forsythcomes from having 15 years of experience in professional theatre. Performing in Toronto, New York, and Chicago. She studied dance for 15 years with Brian Foley and studied in New York at the Tisch School of the Arts. Shira has been choreographing and directing for multiple community theatre companies over the past 6 years and she has also run a theatre program for the Toronto School Board for a preparatory school.
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There is no pressure to audition because the auditions are held during class with a calm and relaxing vibe. The classes also offer loads of theatre games to build up on their self esteem and confidence and regular games to build up on their team building and co operation skills.
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