Adapting from the present, looking to the future!
We know it’s been a challenging summer and fall, as we’ve all had to adapt to life with COVID-19. We’re grateful for the hard work of frontline workers, first responders, and public health officials who’ve worked so hard to keep us all safe.
Due to the pandemic, we’ve had to change the way we operate this year. Many plans are on hold, and we’ve made many more to keep busy in their place. We’re excited to tell you about some of our plans for 2021.
Brundibár: A Children’s Opera (Digital Offering)
For grades 3-6 / 7-9
Available to stream FREE to your school now!
See Schools for more info.
Charming and inspiring, Brundibar is a video presentation available to schools through Theatre Nova Scotia’s PERFORM! program. Along with a subtitled film from the HTYP’s 2019 production, this video presentation includes a brief introduction by Director Tessa Mendel, as well as interviews with the performers about their experience.
Brundibár is an opera written for children and performed at the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp. No more than forty minutes long, it was composed in 1938 by Hans Krása, with lyrics by Adolf Hoffmeister and received its premiere in German-occupied Prague at the Jewish Orphanage before the mass transports of Jews to Theresienstadt began in 1942. The production, along with an educational component, guest speakers and a photography exhibit took place at Sir James Dunn Theatre in May, 2019 with performances for both schools and the public.
Directed by Halifax Theatre for Young People’s Artistic Director Tessa Mendel, with musical direction by Eszter Horvath, the production featured professional musicians, including Scott MacMillan and members of Symphony Nova Scotia, children from the local community and professional set and lighting designers.
More information about the program can be found here: http://performns.ca/brundibar/#more-2060
To book a showing of Brundibár, please complete the form at the following link:
http://performns.ca/teachers/apply-for-a-performer/
If you have questions about this process, email coordinator[at]performns.ca or call (902) 425-3876
Reel Teens Video Program
Currently Halifax Theatre for Young People is offering REEL TEENS Video Program, a four-month training program in digital media arts with film-maker Tara Taylor.
We’ve engaged about 50 students from across the province in this exciting project. They are learning about the art and practice of storytelling through media art, by producing a 1min video visualizing their original spoken word/theatre piece. Training workshops introduce youth to Script Development, Pre-production, as well as technical workshops in camera, sound, editing and framing. Youth will use their cell phones, ipads, etc to create their own short film We’re really excited for these talented youth to show you their films. Watch for the compiled project to debut at the Emerging Lens Film Festival in March 2021!
All projects will be compiled and screened as part of the 11th Annual Emerging Lens Cultural Film Festival in April, 2021.
Tara L. Taylor, Co-founder and Festival Director for The Emerging Lens Film Festival, filmmaker, playwright, actress, multidisciplinary artist, singer; has worked in the film industry in various roles behind and in front of the camera for 19 years. Vice Chair and Diversity & Inclusive Committee Team Lead of the Link Performing Arts Society (a new arts, entertainment & production hub in Downtown Halifax); Vice Chair of Women in Film and Television Atlantic Chapter (WIFT-AT); Board Member: Screen Nova Scotia & Bus Stop Theatre. A graduate of the Centre for Art Tapes’ media scholarship program, Tara has screened her short films in various places, cast local talent in features and TV shows and has co-coordinated youth media arts Video Camps with Short works productions and the Atlantic Fringe Festival. Tara has produced and in some cases starred in, “Dreamgirls”, “The Color Purple” and “The Wiz”, written an original musical about the life of Viola Desmond staged at The Spatz theatre in 2018, Dartmouth Players Theatre in 2019 and is currently writing her new musical works entitled, “Hood Habits” and “Love, Peace and Hairgrease” in Eastern Front Theatre’s Playwrights Unit.
Mi’kmaq Stories: Past and Present
We’re hard at work to bring our original production of Mi’kmaq Stories: Past and Present to the stage this spring in a specially-designed open-air tent. Created by Mi’kmaq artists (including film-maker Catherine Martin, storyteller shalan joudry, and drummer/dancer/film-maker Trevor Gould), with design by artist Jordan Bennett, Mi’kmaq Stories: Past and Present weaves stories from the past with glimpses into current realities and dreams for the future. Directed by Tessa Mendel with Trevor Gould, this blend of Indigenous voices and stories will be a truly unique experience for young audiences.
Stay tuned for future updates about the important and powerful production which will be touring to schools in May/June 2021 !