Stage Door News
Stage Door News
The Shakespeare Challenge is Shakespeare in Action’s largest annual fundraiser, concluding with a gala production of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest at the Toronto’s Arts & Letters Club on Saturday, February 23rd. The kicker? The cast is comprised of Toronto professionals and aspiring actors with hearts of gold and nerves of steel! Each participant has not only committed to performing on stage but also to raising money for Shakespeare In Action’s education and access programs for youth in priority neighbourhoods.
Two realtors (Suzanne Manvell and Ora Ross), one vice principal (Rogene Reid), a stock clerk (Natasha Curd), an Investment Advisor (Jessie Behan), an ex-Mayoral candidate (Dewitt Lee) and a handful of aspiring actors round out the cast of ten players who are now rehearsing this shotgun version of The Tempest. Under the guidance of Shakespeare in Action’s Founding Artistic Director, Michael Kelly, and Assistant Director, Michelle Jedrzejewski, these inspiring philanthropists have only six rehearsals and one dress rehearsal before the gala production! All proceeds from the Challenge will go directly to SIA’s free education programs offered throughout the City, ensuring that youth from Toronto’s priority neighbourhoods will gain free access to professional live theatre.
The benefits of exposing youth to live theatre are immeasurable. Increased literacy, creativity, kinesthetic skills, mental development, social development and self-confidence are just a few of the ways that theatre contributes to personal development. General Manager, Shemina Keshvani, details how SIA’s programs attempt to give all young people, regardless of socioeconomic background, access to the life-changing experience of live theatre.
“Shakespeare is often perceived as a barrier between youth and mainstream culture. Our programs attempt to destroy those barriers by making Shakespeare accessible and easily understood. Young people from priority neighbourhoods can actually attend the shows or participate in workshops for free and get the same benefit as their peers in other neighbourhoods. It’s our attempt to level the playing field.”
What is Shakespeare In Action?
For 25 years, Shakespeare In Action has been Canada’s leading Classical
Theatre Company for Young Audiences. Shakespeare in Action is the only theatre company producing professional (Equity) productions of Shakespeare specifically with young audiences in mind. Under the direction of Michael Kelly, SIA produces shows for school audiences, families and runs free educational and literacy programs throughout the City. SIA is committed to introducing young people to the magic of Shakespeare, language and live theatre. The company believes the beauty of Shakespeare’s language is inspiring and the stories are relevant. Shakespeare in Action is a non-profit charity under the auspices of the CRA.
1. View a sample from the 2012 Shakespeare Challenge on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD7N8PCjOi8
2. Hear an interview with Founding Artistic Director Michael Kelly from The Shakespeare Challenge 2012:
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2012/03/the-shakespeare-challenge.html
3. Read a review from Mooney on Theatre:
http://www.mooneyontheatre.com/2012/02/26/review-the-shakespeare-challenge-shakespeare-in-action/
4. Support The Shakespeare Challenge: http://www.shakespeareinaction.org/shakespeare-challenge
5.Interview Michael Kelly or a Challenge Champion call (416) 703-4881 or email shemina@shakespeareinaction.org
2013-01-30
Toronto: Shakespeare in Action rolls out the carpet for the 2nd Annual Shakespeare Challenge February 23