Happening Now!

Next Stage Voices

Audience awaiting the incredible table read for all four scripts done at ACT FEST in East Preston.

In partnership with Charles Taylor Theatre and Media Arts four playwrights developed new short scripts for young people with the support of Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre (PARC). A reading was done at Eastern Front Theatre’s Stages Festival as well as Afro-Canadian Theatre Festival – ACT FEST in East Preston.  We were lucky to work with this very talented group of playwrights: Guyleigh Johnson, Andre Anderson, Andre Fenton, and Natasha Thomas. Each playwright brought new refreshing ideas and a different outlook from their varied backgrounds in the arts. We are offering Youth Acts! programs at Black Cultural Centre, in Beechville and Digby. Thank you to Canada Race Relations for their support on this project! Next Stage Voices will be given a full production and tour in our 26/27 season. The development of Next Stage Voices was supported by Playwrights Atlantic Resource Centre (PARC) through their Home Delivery and Uno-a-Uno programs.

Queer & Trans YouthACTS!

This year HTYP was funded by the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia to offer our Youth Acts! Program to three high schools in the HRM, focusing on building relationships and allyship with young people in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The theatre programs culminated in a gathering where the young people shared what they had created with each other. HTYP was invited to offer our Youth Acts! program in Sheet Harbour this spring, with support from Perform Nova Scotia.  The counsellor and registrar for Marine Drive Academy shared that they ‘ witnessed growth in every student, some quite remarkable’.

Program  Offering: HTYP YouthACTS!

Are you looking for quality arts education tailored to your youth’s specific needs? Get in touch with us at HTYP! The program can  be offered in 60-90 minute increments, for 8-12 weeks, or over weekends. A large, open space is ideal to facilitate the physical nature of the work, and we can accommodate groups of up to 30 participants. Our trained facilitators are Vulnerable Sector Checked. If you’d like to explore what this could look like in your school, community, or group, get in touch with us at info@halifaxtheatreforyoungpeople.com. Schools are eligible to have some costs covered by the Theatre Nova Scotia’s PERFORM! Program. This program can be offered anywhere in Nova Scotia.

Students engaging with facilitators in a drama exercise for HTYP Youth Acts!

Benefit and Auction

Our community really came together to surround us during our benefit /auction at The Bus Stop Theatre. The benefit concert consisted of a wide variety of artists who are passionate about their support for Young theatre audiences and for HTYP. We were blessed to have an audience of around 40 people. The performers who came out and made the evening to great were none other than: Gina Spott, GaRRy Williams, Quoia States, Guyleigh Johnson, Dylan Hay, and Emily Lux. Between the show and the auction we were able to fundraise $2000 for our youth and upcoming season. Thank you to our lovely donors who donated items to make our auction possible! Halifax Pride, The Bonfire, Ambassatours, Eastern Front Theatre, Noella Murphy, Toby Mendel, Anna Saroli, Beth LaChance, Colleen Arcturus Macisaac, Garrison Brewing, Chelsi Madonna School of Music, North Brewing, Cape and Cowl, Hounds of Vintage, Midsummer Bakery, House of Eights, Boston Pizza, Kathy France, Rose Adams, Jordan Bennett, Karen Nieuwland, and Terri Whetstone!

A photo of our lovely performers (from left to right) Emily Lux, Garry Williams, Dylan Hay, Guyleigh Johnson, Quoia States, and Gina Spott

Goodbye to Tessa!

We are saying goodbye to founding Artistic Director Tessa Mendel. Tessa Mendel has carried the vision of HTYP for 17 years! With countless successful productions and the development of multiple theatre programs for underserved youth, Tessa has brought HTYP into a stable place and is  leaving it with a very gracious board. Thank you Tessa! Stay tuned for an announcement about the new leadership coming soon!

Read our latest newsletter and subscribe to keep up to date!
https://mailchi.mp/08be15776c48/end-of-season-newsletter

Halifax Theatre for Young People occupies a unique place within the theatre ecology of both our local and regional communities as the only full-time Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) Company in Halifax Regional Municipality. We have had the opportunity to create, share and produce numerous productions, and meaningfully engage young audiences across Nova Scotia.For more information or to book a show email: info@halifaxtheatreforyoungpeople.com