As we enter our second week of performances of The Wolves, I’ve noticed our grade 12 performers beginning to take stock in their time at CYPT.  For some, this will be their last show.  And yes, some are participating in 2019’s Cannonball, and some will audition for our 2019 summer show or take part in our Outpatient Collective, and some will go on to study drama and probably steal mine and Kristin’s jobs one day, but others know that this could their last time on our stage …for now.  I suppose graduation of any kind is always a little bittersweet.

We’ve been very lucky to have an absolutely stellar batch of grade 12 girls working on The Wolves, and this month, we’d like to feature one of them as our YP of the Month!  This astonishing young woman came to us only two years ago, but thanks to her impossible talent, overflowing kindness, and just ridiculous sense of humor, she’s quickly become a beloved fixture at CYPT.  I’ve personally been just so fortunate to direct her in three different shows, and each time, she exceeded my expectations in every way.  To say I’m proud would be a massive understatement – I’m not sure a word exists that captures how strongly I’ve felt about what she’s done on our stages and backstage.  And it’s not just her talent, which has stolen our breath at times – she’s also just a truly wonderful human. At CYPT, she’s everyone’s friend.  She’s everyone’s sister.

Regardless of what is next for her, we hope she knows that we love her and will always be there for her.  And who is this witty, warm, witchy, wolfy, and wild(e) wanderer of the West Village wings? October’s YP of the Month is none other than…

Nadia Kolesnikova!!!

Nadia joined CYPT in 2016 for The Three Musketeers. She had such an amazing time dancing and rapping on stage that she just knew she had to continue with this company! She later in that year got to sing as a witch in Macbeth, and after that got to really grow as an artist as Sissy in Unity 1918. She experienced Cannonball (Centre Street) as well and doesn’t know what she would do without these experiences and the people she’s met along the way.

Nadia and Dana in The Wolves, a CYPT and Verb Theatre co-production performed in October 2018. Photo by Rob Galbraith/Little Guy Media

Nadia enjoys writing, singing, and crying about how much she’ll miss CYPT. She is currently performing in The Wolves as #7 and it is a very different role for her, however she’s been loving the process and getting fit along the way, so that’s fun! Working with an all-woman cast and crew has been extraordinary, and she’ll never forget the bond she’s build with her cast.

Nadia in Macbeth (2017). Photo by Rob Galbraith/Little Guy Media

She would love to thank her parents for allowing her to be a part of this wonderful community, Jamie Dunsdon and Kristin Eveleigh for challenging her and believing in her no matter what, and everyone at CYPT for being like a second family to her.

“Theatre is the only place that I feel like myself. I love diving into someone else’s body and learning every amazing, disturbing, crazy, secret thing about them, and then sharing these moments of who they are with an audience. It is hard work but so rewarding, and extremely fun.”

-Nadia Kolesnikova

Actors perform Unity (1918) at West Village Theatre in Calgary on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. The Calgary Young People’s Theatre production runs until Oct. 28, 2017. (Photo by Rob Galbraith/Little Guy Media)

Actors perform a scene from The Three Musketeers at West Village Theatre in Calgary on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. The Calgary Young People’s Theatre production, written by The Outpatient Collective and based on the 1844 Alexandre Dumas novel, runs from Nov. 23 to Dec. 3, 2016. (Photo by Rob Galbraith/Little Guy Media)

Cast and crew stage Macbeth at West Village Theatre in Calgary on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017. The Calgary Young People’s Theatre production, which sets Shakespeare’s play among the stone formations of ancient Druids, runs until March 4, 2017. (Photo by Rob Galbraith/Little Guy Media)

Actors perform Unity (1918) at West Village Theatre in Calgary on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. The Calgary Young People’s Theatre production runs until Oct. 28, 2017. (Photo by Rob Galbraith/Little Guy Media)

The Wolves at West Village Theatre in Calgary on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018. The Verb Theatre and Calgary Young People’s Theatre co-production runs from Oct. 4-13, 2018. (Photo by Rob Galbraith/Little Guy Media)

The Wolves at West Village Theatre in Calgary on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018. The Verb Theatre and Calgary Young People’s Theatre co-production runs from Oct. 4-13, 2018. (Photo by Rob Galbraith/Little Guy Media)