Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Young People’s Theatre (YPT) is delighted to announce the first recipient of the Ada Slaight Drama-in-Education Award. Rachel Rhoades will receive a cash award of $10,000, made possible through the support of The Slaight Family Foundation. In 2015, YPT received an extraordinary gift of $3 million from the Foundation which resulted in the creation of The Ada Slaight Education Centre at YPT, celebrating her inspiring commitment to young artists and audiences.
Rachel Rhoades is a Ph.D. Candidate studying at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, pursuing graduate research work with a focus on Applied Theatre. She will use the award to engage youth participants in Toronto and Boston in Youth Artists for Justice, which applies theatre creation techniques to respond to the question, “What do you wish you had more influence over in society?” Each group of young people will create a theatrical piece pertaining to their chosen topic. With support from Rhoades, the youth will identify a target audience, dramatic techniques appropriate for their intended message, desired political outcome, and a method for determining the impact of their piece.
The potential for Rhoades’ findings to mobilize action and change within the sector is exciting. With this research, Rhoades challenges societal assumptions around youth commitment to civic engagement by involving youth in participatory politics. This project, like YPT’s Three Up program, is another international online program for high school-aged youth. Youth Artists for Justice’s virtual collaboration between youth from the United States and Canada will inform discourses of cross-cultural education and solidarity through technological and artistic exchange.
The Ada Slaight Drama-in-Education Award Advisory Committee was thrilled by the breadth and depth of research at both the Master’s and Doctorate levels demonstrated in the pool of applications received. It is a testament to the innovation and commitment of researchers, teachers and practitioners who have dedicated their work to theatre particularly as it pertains to young people.
“We were excited by so many of the applications and found it challenging to select one recipient of this remarkable new award. So much intriguing research is being conducted across Canada into theatre and young people. The new Ada Slaight Award may be a catalyst to ensure this work continues, advances and brings scholars together.” - Artistic Director, Allen MacInnis
At the suggestion of Advisory Committee member Dr. Kathleen Gallagher, YPT will continue to support all 2016/17 applicants through a Scholars-in-Residence program hosted by the theatre. The goal is to offer the applicants an opportunity to connect with each other to help advance their various projects -- and the sector. Award recipient Rhoades will be leading this initiative.
The Ada Slaight Drama-in-Education Award will continue to be presented in each of the following academic years: 2017/18 and 2018/19. Application details for the upcoming season will be announced in the spring of 2017.
Photo: Rachel Rhoades.
2016-11-15
Toronto: Young People's Theatre announces recipient of inaugural Ada Slaight Drama-in-Education Award