On November 6th, the City of Brampton's Cultural Services team hosted its 2nd Pathways in the Arts event for Take Your Kids to Work Day. The event was organized and led by Christina Akrong, Education and Outreach Coordinator with support from Reé Morgan from the City of Brampton, and Amanda Foulds and Katy Belshaw both from Brampton's Art Organization. They invited grade 9 students from all over Brampton to get a behind-the-scenes look at the world of theater and the arts. The day was packed with exciting activities, from creative workshops to a backstage tour and engaging presentations, all designed to spark curiosity and introduce the younger generation to all the careers available in the arts.
The event kicked off with an engaging icebreaker activity; a bingo card challenge that encouraged everyone to mingle and get to know each other. The young artists were tasked with finding others who fit certain descriptions on their cards such as "someone taking drama next semester" or "someone who shares the same birth month" creating an interactive and fun way for them to start the day.
After the icebreaker the participants settled into a welcome presentation from the Manager of Cultural Programming, Carly Anderson. She welcomed the participants to the Rose Theatre and told them what they can expect to do, see and learn throughout the day.
The young artists were then split into two groups to dive deeper into their specific interests: Performing Arts and Visual Arts. The Performing Arts group, led by Luke Reece, got to try out some theatrical exercises. They practiced vocal warm-ups and spatial awareness techniques, which help actors project their voices and maintain fluid movement on stage.
Meanwhile, the Visual Arts group, led by Charmaine Lurch, explored the world of design. The young artists in this group created stamps featuring bees and flowers, learning how artists design and craft intricate pieces that help bring a piece of art to life. It was an excellent hands-on activity that allowed these future leaders to engage in the artistic process, from concept to creation
Once both groups were done with their activities they came together for a lunch break which allowed everyone a chance to socialize and recharge. The event continued on with an engaging career panel featuring a range of professions from play writers to marketing specialists. The young artists were encouraged to ask questions and connect with the panelist to let them gain more insight into their passions and how they can turn it into their career.
The highlight of the day for sure was the backstage tour of the Rose Theater stage led by Mike Rainey, the Technical Stagehand and Jordan Kehoe, the Theatre General Operator. The students got to see areas of the theater that are normally off limits to the public such as the sound booth and the stage pulley system that helps move lights and sets. They were also given the opportunity to go up on the rig which gave them the chance to see the theatre space from a bird's eye view. The students learned about the technical part of theatre with this tour and all the work put into the lights and sounds of a production to really enhance the audience's experience.
The day wrapped up with an inspiring Youth Seminar featuring Sakinah Idris and Chole Goodridge and moderated by Saphera, who spoke about their experiences working in the arts and how young people can get involved. Their discussion encouraged us to think outside the box and embrace their creativity and that you are never too young to pursue your passion.
Overall, the City of Brampton's Pathways in the Arts program was an eye opening and fun experience for Take Your Kid to Work Day. It fostered a deeper appreciation for the arts and provided an exciting glimpse into the many career opportunities within the world of theater and art.
Photo's and Article by Journalist Student at FMSS, Ravleen S.
