Calgary community theatre gives young kids the chance to shine
Getting to perform on stage in front of a large audience is something actors might work years to achieve but a community theatre group in Calgary is putting kids of all experience levels in the spotlight.
Small Time Theatre only casts children in its large scale productions. It’s based in south Calgary but auditions are open to all Calgary children in grades 1-9.
“It’s really fun getting to be different parts and act on stage and sing and dance,” said 10-year-old Cozy Spackman who has acted in three productions with Small Time Theatre.
The non-profit, commuity theatre group was started in 2016 by families looking to introduce their children to performing arts.
“There’s the self-esteem, the teamwork, the resilience,” said Tanya Woodruff, Small Time Theatre's founder and director.
“But my favourite part," she added, "is seeing the thrill when they’re on stage with the lights and applause.. it’s magic.”
Volunteer run
The non-profit is completely run by volunteers, including many former actors.
Those older kids take roles behind the scenes to give other youngsters a chance.
“We got things put in place so that hopefully it can last for a long time for the kids, hopefully generationally, you know, the kids will come back with their kids,” said Woodruff.
Small Time Theatre’s latest production “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical” Runs Dec 5-7.
It will be the first production for Cora Beiber who wanted to join after watching Small Time Theatre for the first time earlier this year.
“I haven’t like actually done a full production so once I actually saw that something like this could be done that well, I really wanted to join,” said the young actor.
“It’s really easy and accessible like if you want to you should definitely try, because it’s awesome, such a cool experience," she added.
Tickets are $10 and can be bought on their website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Jubilation and gunfire as Syrians celebrate the end of the Assad family's half-century rule
Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, putting an end to the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule but raising questions about the future of the country and the wider region.
Trump calls for 'immediate ceasefire' in Ukraine after meeting Zelenskyy in Paris
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, shortly after a meeting in Paris with French and Ukrainian leaders, claiming Kyiv 'would like to make a deal' to end the more than 1,000-day war.
Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police
Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton.
Digging themselves out: With Santa Claus parade cancelled, Londoners make best of snowy situation
Londoners continue to dig themselves out from this week’s massive snowstorm.
Quebec Premier meets with Trump, Zelenskyy and Musk during Paris trip
Quebec Premier François Legault met up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk while visiting Paris this weekend.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly focused on re-election, doesn’t explicitly rule out future Liberal leadership bid
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly insisted she supports Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and is focused on her own re-election, but wouldn't explicitly rule out a future Liberal leadership bid, in an interview on CTV's Question Period airing Sunday.
Superior Court authorizes class action against junior hockey league over abuse of minors
The Quebec Superior Court authorized the institution of a class action aimed at compensating all minors who suffered abuse while playing in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
Longer careers in hockey are linked to greater risk of CTE: study
The largest study ever done on the brains of male hockey players has found the odds of getting a neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated traumatic brain injuries increases with each year played.
opinion The Trump shadow presidency forces Biden further into the background
Not waiting until the official swearing-in, Donald Trump has already begun to exert his influence over U.S. foreign policy as president-elect, writes Washington political analyst Eric Ham in his column for CTVNews.ca.