Daily Dose — Summer Youth Program brings The Little Mermaid to Capitol Theatre stage
By Ari Lord
The Capitol Theatre Summer Youth Program is hitting the stage beginning Thursday for the 36th time with a performances of The Little Mermaid.
The show, which will have a complex and intricate set and detailed puppets, is sure to be a visual spectacle, says Director Jesse Greenway, an alumnus of the program.
This is Greenway’s first time directing but he assistant directed for four years previous. He says the show is exciting and high caliber.
“It should be action packed,” says Greenway.
“Sometimes we surprise the community and parents because we pull off some really good stuff.”
Two alumni of the Summer Youth Program spoke to The Nelson Daily to share how the program has impacted their lives.
“I can’t say enough about the mentors that I had there,” says Quinn Barron, program alumnus.
The Little Mermaid, set to grace the Capitol Theatre stage from July 25th to 28th, is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved story and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
“This is my first year directing. We’ve got a dream team going on. An amazing musical director in Malika Horswill and an amazing choreographer in Jodie Edmunds so it feels like if someone were directing for the first time that it’s a good team that makes it a little easier for me,” says Greenway.
Greenway lives in New Westminster and teaches middle school English and drama. For the last four years he was assistant director of the program, but this year is stepping into the director role.
“It’s kind of a paid vacation, hard work but lovely too,” says Greenway. “I’m grateful for the Summer Youth Program.”
Greenway was a student in the program in the late 1990s in which he did six shows as an actor.
Adriana Hobart, who is the show’s designer, is working her magic on puppets and props, and Greenway says a large number of puppets are needed for the show, which he says will have a little bit of a “Jim Henson vibe.”
“We’re super lucky to have Adriana Bogart because it’s a real specialized skill set to make these things and design them for actors to be puppeteers. That’s something I’m super excited about, visually,” says Greenway. “Adriana’s set is a wonderful spectacle.”
Choreographer Edmunds is an instructor at the local circus school, and is adding her own flare to the show, so the audience can expect some circus aspects.
For the 30 plus youth in the program, it will be a life changing experience, says Greenway, who says every year parents and community members are floored by the high quality of the shows.
“Learning the skills to be on stage and to cooperate with other actors and learning what it feels like to have an audience. How it feels to finish this piece of art, to have a product to show people and to be on stage for the final product. That’s something that the Summer Youth Program really delivers is making a piece of art that they’re proud of,” says Greenway.
Luzura Ramos-Swanston, 20, took part in the Summer Youth Program for several years in high school, and said the program had an “amazing” impact on their life. It pushed them to grow creatively and as a person, and gave them a feeling of belonging in a tightknit creative community.
“It fuelled my passion for theatre and performing. It’s one of the most fun things I’ve ever done. It’s absolutely incredible, it’s just so much fun, an absolute blast. The quality of show that we managed to pull together as such a young cast is always astounding how quickly everyone works together as a big happy team,” says Ramos-Swanston.
The Capitol Theatre Summer Youth Program brings Ariel to life in The Little Mermaid. — Photo courtesy Phoenix Allen
They just finished the music program at Selkirk College and are planning a career in music and to stay involved in the theatre locally. Most recently, they performed in Legally Blond: The Musical.
Quinn Barron, another alumnus, who took part in the program for five years starting in 2014, and works in the performing arts when he can, says the impact of the program on him was monumental. Barron describes the impact:
“It was huge in terms of the level of training that it provided, professional quality training in a professional environment. You learned very early how to behave like a professional, and what’s expected of you, and you’re given a ton of support.”
Barron says he learned how to manage relationships and friendships.
“The theatre became my home away from home. Still to this day, when I walk into the theatre, into the lobby, I feel this sense of calm, a sense of overwhelming happiness that’s amazing.”
Barron was in Toronto working and auditioning for acting jobs and applying to acting schools, and moved back before the pandemic and still here, pursuing a career in acting.
“I’ve been very happy here in mountains and part of the reason is because of the community developed by or fostered by the theatre,” he says. “The community and community theatre here is an extraordinary scene for the size of the town. A lot of the foundation of that community comes directly from the Capitol Theatre and from the program,” says Barron, who recently performed in Legally Blonde: The Musical, as well.
Director Greenway knows that the program’s impact on youth can be life changing.
“Some of the kids are going to go on to careers in acting. When I think back to the late 90s and early 2000s, I can think of 5 or 6 examples of people who that’s their career, acting. And they started at the Capitol theatre with the Summer Youth Program. It’s cool to see the kids these days that are maybe going in that direction,” says Greenway.
Tickets for the show are $22.50 for an adult and $17.50 for students.
Tickets can be purchased here by clicking this link.
