“I can’t believe that!” said Alice.
“Can’t you?” the queen said in a pitying tone. “Try again; draw a long breath and shut your eyes.”
Alice laughed. “There is no use trying,” she said, “one can’t believe impossible things.”
“I dare say you haven’t had much practice,” said the queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for at least half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast….” (From Alice in Wonderland)
The Huntsville Festival of the Arts (HFA) wants to help young people believe in the power of the arts to make the impossible possible. A few weeks ago, in an interview with our intrepid general manager, Rob Saunders, it was noted that the HFA was involved in supporting educational opportunities for students of all ages. Rob’s examples included: the Kaleidoscope program taking shape at Spruce Glen; the Grade 9 Concert Band’s first presentation in December; the Feb. 23 performance of the a capella musical quartet Cadence; and the Slam Poetry event to be held in late April. Additionally, we are pleased to announce that the HFA has taken its commitment to youth one step further and created a committee solely focused on educational outreach. The committee’s mandate is to seek ways to support youth and the arts and, while still in its infancy, it is nevertheless examining a variety of new venues and strategies.
Perhaps one of the most meaningful and engaging experiences for anyone involved in the performing arts is to work behind the scenes. This immersion presents a wonderful prism through which the realities of performance come to life, and where the close collaboration between the multiple communities of players involved in live theatre (stage managers, lighting/sound technicians, house managers) can be experienced and understood. With this in mind, plans are underway to bring students into the Algonquin Theatre for an introduction to the wonderfully compelling complexity of performance and performance support. This will, hopefully, help encourage students to join the ranks of the volunteers, a theatre’s lifeblood.
Additionally, the committee will be seeking performers who want to work with youth to inspire and motivate students to continue to grow and expand their art forms. We are presently working with high school media teachers to create a showcase of film talent this June with the input of local professionals Virginia Hastings and Jeremy Munce.
Finally, nothing is more appealing to creative students than to be able to take part in a theatrical production. HFA is delighted to support Stina Nyquist’s play, Dinosaurs and Dreams, at the Algonquin Theatre, March 30 to April 1. This fantasy aims to amuse all ages while presenting a humanitarian message using outrageous and hilarious happenings and characters.
We invite all and any suggestions involving youth and educational outreach, and to help us make the impossible possible.
Suzanne Riverin, e-learning consultant for the Trillium Lakelands District School Board, has been on the HFA board of directors for five years.
The Trumpeter is intended as an informational forum for the Huntsville Festival of the Arts. Please visit www.huntsvillefestival.com to learn more.
