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Cornerstone Youth Theatre unites youth virtually

Think of a song … and now speak it.
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Think of a song … and now speak it.

That’s what Cornerstone’s Youth Theatre’s virtual exercise asked central Alberta children to do.

Since the growing COVID-19 pandemic, the theatre has temporarily cancelled its spring season and its production of Anne of Green Gables The Musical, which was due to be staged in June.

That leaves many theatre students at home without their weekly dose of creativity.

So, the school is bringing a taste of theatre back through brief free video lessons. The lessons will also provide homework to students and offer a challenge where children will learn new skills.

The first challenge on March 26 was a songologue — where participants acted out a song as if speaking the lyrics, instead of singing.

Assistant artistic director Laura DeGraff said the virtual series will have a little bit of everything, from an acting lesson, to quick choreography, that theatre enthusiasts can practise at home.

“There might be a specific drama skill, a certain dance combination, a song perhaps that the teacher will teach on a video, and we’re going to throw a challenge out to the kids: record yourself doing this dance or take a picture doing this activity that they can share on Instagram and Facebook.

“(For March 26), we challenged them to do a songologue, so they would have to take a song of some kind and perform it as a monologue, so it’s an acting challenge,” she said.

“So they would have to take the lyrics of the song and say it like a person saying the words, and not singing the words, so with expression and phrasing.”

The youth theatre school wanted to bring the theatre community together again – even if it’s virtually.

“For a lot of our students, it’s what they love to do – they love to perform and love to create, and because we don’t get to meet, we wanted to be able to reach out in some way and give that opportunity, even if it’s just online in our home, but we’re all creating together.”

She explained the instructors will ensure the challenges can be done at home and, “they won’t be running out to buy something (to do them),” DeGraff said.

Cornerstone Youth Theatre runs three sessions: fall, winter and spring for children six to 18.

Each class grooms children in not just theatre, but in life skills: dependability, hospitality and humility, with the use of scripture and talking points.

Each production chosen, such as Shrek the Musical and Frozen, also conveys messages. These themes include caring for others and the importance of community, which also help groom youth.

Virtual theatre is open to anyone interested in theatre, not just Cornerstone students. Videos will be posted on the theatre’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

It’s a great opportunity for anyone to explore theatre, said DeGraff.



mamta.lulla@reddeeradvocate.com

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