This week nearly 350 students and their teachers will descend upon Summerland for the annual Good Will Shakespeare Festival.
Although Shakefest” as the students call it, focuses on Shakespeare, it also includes workshops covering an array of subjects such as theatre, art, TV and video, vocal, writing, improvisation, costume design, set design, acting, makeup and directing. By participating in these workshops and learning about the theatrical process the students experience the transformative power of theatre and the arts.
Shakefest is an intensive three days. The students start as early as 8:30 in the morning and its almost 9:30 in the evening before they finally get back to their billets.
Each day starts with a keynote speech by one of the presenters and this is followed by three workshops which extend well into the afternoon.
After the workshops, there is a short break, then rehearsals and then the evening performances.
Although the key focus remains Shakespeare there are workshops on how to be successful in television, on contemporary musical theatre repertoire with an emphasis on combining song, acting,and dance.
There are also workshops on stand-up comedy and playful portraiture.
Students also have an opportunity to participate in musical workshops where they will encounter a variety of rhythms and grooves with songs from around the world including songs from Africa, the Caribbean, Australia, B.C. First Nations, and gospel. There will be opportunities for soloists and extra percussion.
Other will participate in a workshop on the basics of television story-telling. Using the events taking place at the festival, they will plan, shoot, write and edit feature style stories that will portray the scope of the wide variety of courses and of the diverse personalities taking part.
So throughout the festival students will act, sing, design, write and connect with others from around the province. It is hoped that they will be inspired to take their passion for the arts in all its varied forms and share it with others so that they will see the value of the arts in their lives.
If you know of an event you feel should be included in the Arts Palette or on the Arts Council’s online calendar, please email: artspalette@summerlandarts.com or call: 250-404-3225.
The Arts Palette is written by David Finnis, publicity chair and president of the Summerland Community Arts Council, 9533 Main St.
