I had the great pleasure of working as an Artist in the Schools at Princess Margaret Elementary in March. Over a three week period, I introduced over 200 students Grades K-5 to the art of Musical Theatre and Dance. it was an extremely rewarding residency, not only because I actually got to share my passion with little humans but to do it face-to-face….er-r-r-r Mask-to-Mask. The exhaustion I felt of being in the classroom was equalled by the exhilaration of our accomplishment. Many thx to a terrific administration, teaching personnel and of course, the students!!
Brenda Gorlick, Director of Made in Manitoba Masterclass, received a Safe at Home Manitoba grant recently and is preparing to offer 26 online classes starting Jan. 10, 2021, featuring top performing arts professionals from Manitoba who now perform and create for the world stage. The program is being offered through Winnipeg Studio Theatre for which Brenda serves as Associate Director alongside Kayla Gordon.
The sessions cover all aspects of theatre arts performance — from acting, singing and dance technique to voiceover, acting for camera, mime and makeup for the stage.
“I’m thrilled that I can support 12 artists, along with a videographer, web design and promotion people with this grant,” adding the classes come complete with American sign language interpretation.“As artists, it’s so hard to earn a living during the pandemic. This grant means they’ll be paid their true worth for the workshops.”
The roster includes artists Andrea Macasaet, pop vocal diva and newly-minted Broadway star of Six the Musical, Mary Antonini, dancer extraordinaire of the Broadway show The Prom, choreographer-dancer Josh Assor from Newsies and Mary Poppins on Broadway, plus stage and screen actor MarkianTarasiuk.
There’s also Joshua LeClair, a voiceover specialist who appeared in ‘Matilda’ the World Tour, Samantha Jeanne Hill, star of Broadway’s Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera, Jean-Marc Lafond, a theatrical make-up specialist, Shannon Guile and Joanna Hawkins from 100 Decibels (a deaf mime troupe) and Gorlick — master teacher of All Abilities Dancers.
Each live Zoom session includes instruction, as well as a question-and-answer session with the guest faculty. Auditors are welcome. Training videos of each session may also be accessed asynchronously.
Broadway Without Borders – a collaboration between Winnipeg Studio Theatre’s Junior StudioWorks Academy and TCA Riverside, California Youth Company is producing their 1st virtual musical – “Super Happy Awesome News”. Under the direction of Brenda Gorlick and Stacee Tweedlie, this family friendly musical brings together 26 emerging artists from California and Winnipeg who bring their energy, creativity and technology to the virtual stage. The Live-Streamed production will premiere on Wednesday, December 2nd at 8 pm on YouTube (via private channel). Please visit: www.winnipegstudiotheatre.com/donate/ or www.tcariverside.com to access a link (posted on Dec. 1st)
Donations are welcome in support of our youth programs!
Super Happy Awesome News synopsis:
Two siblings launch rival good news networks and find themselves competing for the title of happiest news show. Soon, their correspondents are in a whirlwind of ecstatic musical reporting – from joyful weather forecasts, to cheerful cooking segments and blissful political updates!
Just finished a fun musical theatre workshop at the West end Cultural Centre as part of their Spring Break programming. We acted, danced and sung up a storm this afternoon. Thanks to all attendees and to Jessica Havey at the WECC for inviting me. Hope to come back soon!!
WST’s 15th annual Summer StudioWorks Musical Theatre Intensive is currently accepting registrations for their camp which runs July 8-12th at U of Wpg’s Asper Centre for theatre and Film. Daily classes are offered in acting, singing and dance and include choreographic workshops, vocal masterclasses, singing/songwriting sessions and more under the guidance of Manitoba’s finest theatre artists. If you are passionate about musical theatre, between the ages of 10-18 and want to improve your skills (as well as have tons of fun), then this camp is for you!
www.winnipegstudiotheatre.com
To arrange an audition and for more information, contact: Director, Brenda Gorlick – bregor@shaw.ca or (204) 795-9741
