From teacher, Seamus Fera:

It has been my pleasure instructing and directing Coquitlam Youth Theatre for the past seven years. During this time, we have created full scale musicals, gritty Canadian classics, fanciful children’s theatre and even some digital content. My focus is to create an environment where curious, playful and passionate students of all levels can explore various techniques and skills while creating a dynamic ensemble. Programs like this allow space for curiosity to grow and creativity to blossom.

Throughout the ten months, students will experiment with various techniques including, but not limited to, voice and breath, Laban Movement (a technique that enables students to discover new ways to physicalize character) and classic text analysis (unpacks the character’s line of thinking to provide greater context). The commitment to this September-June program will enhance the students experience in building a foundation of performance skills that can transfer to, and benefit, post-secondary education and future career opportunities.

• The Fall months focus on building the above-mentioned skills to work towards a small-scale presentation of scenes and pieces to present to friends and family.
• The Winter months focus on applying the skills to a rehearsal process.
• The Spring months focus on performance with a year-end production. This is where we put together everything we have learned with props, costumes and sets created by a professional designer.

From teacher, Hailey Fowler:

“If music be the food of love, play on.” – Twelfth Night, Shakespeare  

The power of storytelling has resonated with me since childhood.  I fondly remember my mom reading beautifully illustrated tales from the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, which, along with my love for Disney movies, sparked my early passion for storytelling. These experiences taught me about the adaptability of stories. I especially enjoyed how music influenced my emotions; it felt like a dialogue through rhythm and subtle nuances. 

Through our curriculum, we’ll explore how each student interprets music and embodies its groove. Every song has its own personality that shapes the show’s atmosphere, and we’ll examine how acting, singing, and dancing work together in storytelling. 

What I value most in my work is CURIOUSITY + PLAY. I hope that through play we will create and discover new skills. The most effective way to add these skills to our arsenal is through an OPEN MIND. We will promise to respect each other and acknowledge that we are in a judgment-free space where students are encouraged to make choices and take risks. 

Each class will begin with a brief check-in and physical warm-up. All students should come with writing tools (pencil, eraser, highlighter) and a folder/binder to be accountable for the given material.  

•  FALL -  We will focus on the basics of Musical Theatre: Acting, Singing, and Dancing. Our goal is to build a strong mind-body connection, enhance vocal skills, and develop group harmony. We will emphasize team building and prepare for a small in-class showcase.  

•  WINTER – We will focus on building confidence by acquiring musical theatre knowledge and develop related skills. Students will explore creating a role, delving into character work, exploring influences and physicality while expanding their acting vocabulary. We will also enhance our dance vocabulary through across-the-floor exercises for choreography. We plan to have a vocal coach and piano accompanist join us to better understand our voices, including register, pitch, and breath, as well as to navigate harmonies. 

• SPRING – Attendance is essential, as we will continually review our show. This is the most important stage, where we will refine and enhance our performances. During this process, we will incorporate props, costumes, and sets designed by a professional. 

This program is designed for individuals who are ready to take their skills to the next level and are committed to investing time in developing their craft. By the end of the year, our goal is to grow into stronger, more grounded storytellers