Halifax Theatre for Young people is excited to announce that after a long awaited time, we will be coming to a school or theatre near you! Back in April HTYP had a very successful run of Newcomers: Stories of Refugee and Immigrant Children at the Bronfman Theatre at Pier 21 where we received many positive reviews. This September we again start rehearsals, creating and exploring the story of what it’s like being a newcomer to Canada. Our production of Newcomers: Stories of Refugee and Immigrant Children will be remounted and performed at The Ship’s Company Theatre in Parrsboro followed by a highly anticipated Nova Scotia School’s Tour!

This production shines a light on what it’s like for a child to be a newcomer to Nova Scotia. Composed of short plays and monologues by newcomers from all over the world including; Kenya, Hong Kong, China, Jamaica, Bolivia, Nigeria, and more, this production, is designed to build empathy and understanding of others’ experiences, while allowing newcomer students to see themselves and their stories reflected on stage, often for the first time.

Director: Luciana Silvestre Fernandes (Brazil)

Writers include: Sarah Poko (Nigeria), Chung Sing Au/Roland (Hong Kong), Maureen

Waithaka (Kenya), Tzu-Hao Hsu (Taiwan), Xaiver Campbell (Jamaica), Huiyan Gao

(China), Claudia Gutierrez (Bolivia) and Tanya Chedrawy (Canada / Lebanon).

Last year Halifax Theatre for Young People’s production of Mi’Kmaq Stories: Past & Present was made into a film for schools throughout Nova Scotia. This year we are happy to announce that once again the film will be available all Mi’kmaq History Month for viewing! 

Mi’kmaq Stories: Past & Present weaves stories from the past with glimpses into current realities and dreams for the future. This blend of Indigenous voices and stories, with an all-Mi’kmaq cast, will be an enlightening experience for young audiences at this pivotal time in our history. These are new and traditional stories, written & created by Mi’kmaq artists Trevor Gould and Catherine Anne Martin with additional writing by Rita Joe, Shalan Joudry, and Rebecca Thomas. 

Featuring: Brady Googoo, Laura Fleet, Noel Julian, Anna Nibby-Woods, Shelly Woods

Additional material (interviews, archival photos, images and music): Dozay Christmas, Gerald Gloade, Loretta Gould, Seth Doucette, Samqwan Boyz, Richard Poulette, Dr. Bernie Francis and Alan Syliboy.

This October HTYP will be having our first AGM of the season! As the 2023-2024 school year begins we have much to do at Halifax Theatre for Young People. Last year we were board focused, working on expanding our; knowledge, community involvement, and discipline backgrounds within the board, we will continue actively learning, exploring, and implementing strategies to help us grow as a Theatre company for the youth of Halifax.

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