Youth Theatre Training Program Testimonials

This program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council.
Ontario Arts Council

Theatre Ontario's Youth Theatre Training Program (YTTP) provides training dollars to fund unique theatre programs involving youth aged 14 to 21.  YTTP assists professional theatre artists or organizations that wish to undertake projects in Ontario which train youth in various theatrical skills and disciplines.

Here are what some of the participants from 2008 and 2009 have to say:

Odyssey Theatre (Ottawa) - Youth Theatre Apprenticeship, 2007

  • “I learned so much about professional theatre and mask.  I made a lot of friends and had the time of my life.  I loved this summer!”
  • “The most important thing is I found out more about myself, that theatre is key in my life and I want to pursue it.”

Playwrights Guild of Canada (St. Catharines, Thunder Bay, Orillia, Ottawa and Etobicoke) - Uth Ink 2008/09

  • “It was tons of fun!  All the kids were really open to people and they were all trying to make friends during the games.  I felt I had already known all those kids for a long time.”
  • “I had a lot of fun getting to know kids from other schools with the same interests I have.”

Tarragon Theatre (Toronto) - Spring Training and Young Playwrights, 2009

  • “I want to come back.  I want to do it again.”
  • “Best time of my life hands down.”

National Arts Centre (Ottawa) - March Break Collective Creation, 2009

  • “Best March break ever!”
  • “I’ll always remember this experience.”

Acting Up Stage Theatre Company (participants from Ajax, Whitby,  Brampton, Mississauga, Markham, Hamilton, Bellville, Campbellville, Milton, Richmond Hill, London, Toronto, among others) - One Song Glory, 2008

  • “It is my favourite program that I have done in the time I have been singing.”
  • “I think it is great that it is free because anyone has the opportunity to do it.”

Sheatre (Owen Sound) - Summer Music Theatre Training, 2008

  • “I really like meeting new people and telling my friends to come see me at the Roxy.”
  • ”This was an amazing experience and I do wish it didn’t have to end.”

Jumblies Theatre (Etobicoke) - Pigeon Creek Youth Theatre Training, 2008

  • “The best part was when I got to dance and entertain the crowd as a clown.  It was really memorable because I had a lot of fun with the audience.”
  • “I want something like this to happen next year because it was really enjoying.”

b current (Parkdale) - rAiz’n summer aRts, 2008

  • “I feel like I have grown so much.  I finally have a place where I belong”
  • “I can finally try out for school plays and not be afraid of the audience.”

Nightwood Theatre (Toronto) - Busting Out!, 2008

  • “Busting Out made me more self-confident.”
  • “The techers were incredible and I am really proud of what I achieved.”

From some of the YTTP trainers and leaders:

“I have spoken with several of our youth participants who’ve told me they will be taking drama at school because of our project and the wonderful experiences they’ve had with us.  I can think of no better measure of success than a continued interest in theatre and the obviously awakened delight in the arts.”
Noah Kenneally, Jumblies Theatre

“We had a fantastic week.  For many students, this was the first real theatre training program in which they had participated, due to lack of financial resources.”
Martina Kuska, National Arts Centre

“The process of working on Uth Ink has been one of constant inspiration and amazement.  What Uth Ink offers its participants is pride: in themselves, in their stories, in their community.”
Thomas Morgan Jones, trainer for Playwrights Guild of Canada

Read more about the Youth Theatre Training Program

Have your own happy YTTP story to share? Contact Tim Chapman, Professional Theatre Coordinator, at tim@theatreontario.org or 416.408.4556 x.12.