Manitoba Theatre for Young People
Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP) has been creating and presenting professional theatre productions for children and families since 1982. MTYP has grown to become one of the most respected professional theatre companies in Canada, for children or adults.
About
MTYP's artistry has been applauded not only as a theatre for young audiences, but also as an innovative and highly creative theatre company: "It's the best of world theatre for children... a remarkable organization..." (Robert Enright, CBC Radio). Each season, MTYP presents touring companies from around the world, as well as contributing to the repertoire of Canadian theatre through the creation and development of new work.
The company has received numerous honours, including being the first English theatre to win the Canadian Institute of the Arts for Young Audiences Award in 1992. MTYP's 1994 production of Comet in Moominland was nominated for the prestigious Chalmers Award and, in 1998, Old Friends received this same honour. In 2003, Founding Artistic Director Leslee Silverman received the first Arts Award of Distinction from the Manitoba Arts Council, recognizing the highest level of artistic excellence and distinguished career achievements by a professional Manitoba artist. In 2007, MTYP's production of Comet in Moominland was invited to open the season at New York's prestigious New Victory Theatre and, that same year, the production won a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Production in the Theatre for Young Audiences category. In 2011, Leslee Silverman was awarded the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Acheivement, Canada's highest honour in the performing arts.
Located at The Forks in Winnipeg, MTYP's home is a 28,000 square foot performance facility featuring a fully re-configurable theatre, classroom studios, and production and wardrobe shops.
In addition to its mainstage season and touring activities, MTYP also plays a key role in the development and delivery of theatre-in-education programs that concentrate on using theatre as an educational tool to illustrate and express ideas about social issues. The company also operates a Theatre School where over 1,500 children and teens learn the art and craft of theatre and related disciplines, and an Aboriginal Arts Training & Mentorship Program (Native Youth Theatre) which offers free classes in theatre and related disciplines to Winnipeg's Aboriginal youth.
Theatre School
If you’re looking for a place to have fun, meet new friends, and develop skills in theatre, you’ve come to the right place!
MTYP offers classes for the very young – Parents and caregivers can join their tots (age 3 and 4) in DramaVentures, a gentle introduction to a lifetime touched by theatre magic.
The adventure continues year after year. Students can embark on a journey through many exciting theatre experiences: Creative Drama, Acting, Musical Theatre, and Moviemakers, to name a few.
Advanced students can truly reach for the stars in our teen companies: The Musical Theatre Company, the Young Company, and a wide range of classes, from Acting for Camera, to Acting Shakespeare.
We’ve got some new programs this year: a Junior Musical Theatre Company that will perform with professional costumes and lighting, an Advanced Teen Shakespeare class, Sam’s Prop and Puppet Shop, and additional special opportunities to be announced throughout the year!
And don’t forget our professional mainstage – nowhere else can you see Winnipeg’s best theatre for young people and train as an actor, all under one roof!
So if you want to develop your artistic talents, build confidence, and have fun doing it, you’ve picked the right place.
It’s like Wendy and her brothers discover on their way to Neverland – with a little sprinkle of magic, you really can fly. Well, buckle in – you’re on your way! Sincerely, Your theatre school staff
Kent Suss, Theatre School Director ksuss@mtyp.ca Loc Lu, Drama Outreach Coordinator llu@mtyp.ca Theatre School Administrator, theatreschool@mtyp.ca
Native Youth Theatre
Native Youth Theatre (NYT) specializes in theatre classes for young people like your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and friends!
Our exciting, supportive and FREE acting courses are geared especially for young Aboriginal actors (ages 10 to 18) and are designed to foster imagination, creativity, self-esteem and self-confidence.
In all of our 20 week programs students will learn new skills, and take positive risks, all through exploring the exciting world of theatre! All of our 20 week classes will run October 20 to April 3. There is a holiday break from December 19 to January 12.
