Improv theatre program in Dartmouth aims to get 2SLGBTQ+ youth into the arts | CBC News
A new improvised theatre program in Dartmouth aims to get more 2SLGBTQ+ youth involved in the arts and to help them build confidence.
Page1 Theatre, which produces an annual queer theatre festival in Halifax called OutFest, is partnering with The MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning to provide free improv classes for 2SLGBTQ+ youth aged 12 to 19.
The classes will run from January to April. Participants will then have the opportunity to put on a live performance alongside instructors in OutFest 2025 or to be involved in other ways.
They’re going to be “learning about characters, learning about working together … how to react on your feet,” said Page1 Theatre artistic director Isaac Mule.
It’s important to provide artistic opportunities for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, Mule said. “This year we’re offering improv and then … looking to see what else we could do.”
The program builds on previous partnerships between the two organizations.
The MacPhee Centre, which offers free arts programming, has brought youth in its gender and sexuality alliance group to OutFest over the last two years for a behind-the-scenes look at theatre productions.
That’s been a highlight they still talk about, said Lauren Cullen, a program manager with the centre.
“One of the sweet moments was when our youth asked for the autographs of the cast and crew, which we did not know that they were going to do.”
That enthusiasm made it easy to say yes to this new partnership, Cullen said. She added that it’s the kind of opportunity youth are eager for.
“Many of our youth come to the centre feeling a little shy,” she said. “So for them to want to go out into the world, sharing their point of view, sharing their artistic practice is, I think, a real gift.”
This kind of programming is important because “the times that we live in right now are really scary for queer and trans youth in particular,” Cullen said.
“It’s important that queer youth know that they matter … that they are loved and that their perspectives are valuable and important and they’re precious.”
