FREE TRAINING
The Regent Park Project offers diverse emerging artists, ages 16 to 29, from Regent Park and beyond, free training in acting, writing, theatre, film and television production.
WORKING IN COLLABORATION
Our unique embodied collaborative process allows participants to develop professional skills as actors, production crew, and creators of original content – bridging their transition into the industry. We utilize a creation process grounded in the practices of forum theatre – utilizing story circles and improvisation to generate content, based on the participants’ ‘lived experiences’. Throughout the process professional artists act as mentors. We run a teaching set for our filming process and for theatre creation. This yields professional calibre content and learning for both the diverse emerging youth-artists involved, and the professional artists they work alongside.
BRINGING STORIES TO LIFE
Participants explore stories meaningful to them. Drawing from their own ‘lived experiences’. They have created engaging content – two seasons of a web series, short films, a play, a feature film script… a shareable end product they can use to access the industry, showcasing their work at home, and around the world.
REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE
These emerging diverse artists then have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of filming or creating theatre, where they work with mentors – professional artists who provide their time and expertise on the set, in the rehearsal room, and behind the scenes. To this point we have created two seasons of a web series, a series of short films, produced a professional play which premiered at Summerworks Performing Arts Festival, and are currently developing a feature film. All of these projects have been written by our participants. They also serve as actors and in many crew positions alongside professional mentors.
BECOMING CITIZEN ARTISTS
The diverse youth who participate learn a lot about one another and what it means to be a citizen-artist in our country. Art plays an intrinsic role in identity formation, both personal and social, and can be a powerful tool for social justice. Their voices are important, and we are bridging their transition into the industry with great success. Many of our participants have engaged in professional internships, and are pursuing post-secondary education in writing and film-making. They are also working professionally as actors, in writer’s rooms, as producers and directors.
SHARING STORIES ACROSS CULTURES
By sharing stories, collaborating, and creating with people whose backgrounds are different than their own, the youth involved in the Regent Park Project create opportunities for dialogue and connection with each other, the professionals who work with them, and the world.They also invite others from backgrounds different than their own to lean in, and listen deeply. We believe that art can be transformative, it is why we run this program.
“Being a participant in the Kick Start Arts Society has always been a great experience. What started off as ‘just’ a free workshop for acting turned into something much more. As an aspiring actor, not only do I have the tools to pursue a career in acting, I’ve gained the knowledge that gives me a better understanding of how the industry works overall – via trips to tv sets, talks with industry professionals, and working closely with those involved during the filming process and post production. Sheena Robertson really pushes us to become confident in our own skills and decisions. I’m thankful for her and thankful for being part of this growing experience.”
~ Tony Le, Youth Participant – Actor, Writer, Crew
“This project offers these young people a context whereby their voices are able to be seen and heard beyond the borders of their neighbourhood. As a result, this then allows us the extraordinary opportunity, and responsibility, to see and hear them. I am honoured that they allowed me to be part of their storytelling.”
~ Thomas Olajide, Actra Member, Professional Actor/CFC Mentor