Summer 2010 and 2011 with be even more exciting than usual for Calgary Young People’s Theatre.  For the next two years, CYPT and Birmingham Repertory Theatre will be partnering for an international exchange!  Identity 2010/11 will be a ground breaking endeavour for CYPT and Birmingham Repertory Theatre. 

For the first time in the collective history of these two companies, students from both theatre schools will have a chance to travel across the world to live with, learn from, and create theatre with peers from another nation.

Twelve students from each company will be selected, based on an application process to be outlined below, and will work with theatre directors to create original theatre pieces in their home countries.  In summer 2010, students from Birmingham will come to Calgary and integrate their piece with CYPT’s piece creating a rich, international production the likes of which CYPT has never seen.  Both groups of students will take part in workshops about collective creation, taught by theatre professionals. In summer 2011, CYPT students will travel to Birmingham and the process will be repeated in England.

The theme of the show will be cultural verses personal identity and will explore the similarities and differences between Canadian and British identity in youth.  It will be a great opportunity for students to meet peers from a completely different culture and to work in an exciting theatrical format.

Application requirements:

All students must be between the ages of 14 and 16 at the time of 2010 exchange, and their family must be able to billet an international student in a private room.  Applicants should have a strong desire to learn more about theatre and work with new people.  All students will have to submit an initial online application.  There will be a $25, non-refundable application fee.  This will not be deducted from the final fees.  Successful applicants will then be given an interview, with one or more guardian/parent(s) before being accepted into the program.

Fees:

Regular program fees for the summer conservatory of $550 for the summer conservatory will apply for Summer 2010.  CYPT will be fundraising and writing grants to help subsidize the cost of travel, but families should prepare a maximum cost of $2000 for airfare and child food per diems.  Hopefully the eventual cost is much lower.  Students will be billeted in Birmingham.  These fees will be payable in instalment leading up to spring 2011.  There are also individual grants, that the students can write themselves to help subsidize the costs of international travel. Successful applicants will be made aware of all such grants.  Families will be required to help with all fundraising initiatives.

Apply for this program today!

For more information, please contact us at cypt@cypt.ca