Putting together a one hour theatrical show in just 14 hours is unheard of but that is exactly what the Young Americans are doing right now.
Putting together a one hour theatrical show in just 14 hours is unheard of but that is exactly what the Young Americans are doing right now.
The Young Americans (YA), a California-based performing group, are in the city to work with local students from grade 4 to 12 as part of their international music outreach program.
You can't really compare this to anything else I have been part of. It is amazing. - Alexandra Black, Widdifield Secondary School
It is refreshing to know that no matter how many years of training you have had, or in what discipline you have trained, everyone contributes to the show and is treated equally. - Natasha Giroux, Widdifield Secondary School Graduate
I love it! Sometimes I feel a little bit nervous, but they help me and it is so much fun! - Kyle McDiarmid, E.T. Carmichael
I have never felt so comfortable being outside my comfort zone!!! - Sam Mbolekwa, Widdifield Secondary School These are just a few comments from local participants making the end product of the three-day workshop a must not miss event.
Founded in 1962 by Milton C. Anderson the outreach program is a comprehensive arts workshop that allows students to explore everything from vocal techniques, dance, and comedy improvisation, to stage movement, sound, lighting while learning to work together, respect each others strengths, and discover their own potential all through music and dance.
When an injury cut short his college football career YA show director, affectionately known as 'O', says the Young Americans offered him a new course in life. Raised in the church choir he says it was always an interest and 'YA' has offered him a career.
He says working with students is a great way to show kids who are struggling that when words fail them music will always speak.
Canadian cast member Erin Grey says YA is all about getting the kids to shine.
Fellow Canadian cast member Rosalie Stage says YA has brought all over the globe and now the opportunity to come home to the Bay where her whole family is from. During her stay in the Bay Stage is is bunking in with her grandmother, Laurette Goyette and notes mom Lise is a Widdifield grad.
“Our sole purpose for our traveling workshops is to bring music back to life at schools because a lot of the times when there's a budget cut in schools usually the first thing that gets cut is music or drama or dance,” she explains.
“And we just really want to do our best to bring it back as much as we can and inspire people to do things with it and we do that all over the world.”
The one hour production goes Saturday, October 30th in Widdifield S.S. gym at 320 Ski Club Road. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
Showtime is 7pm sharp.
