And that’s a wrap on our 2017 production of Macbeth!  It was such a fabulous treat working with this massive cast of extremely talented, fun, and courageous young people.  We will miss them.

One of our cast members of this show is also a graduating CYPT performer, and it will be really difficult to let him go.  He popped up in last year’s Cannonball festival and blew everyone away with his comedic chops, which he got to display again in Macbeth in the role of the Porter. In addition to his comedic skill, he’s also a wildly talented dramatic actor, with a real hand for stage combat and sword work…and INSANELY photogenic.  Seriously.  Check out the photos below.  He’s done two shows with us and I have a million fantastic shots of him.  This man can’t take a bad pic.

But. What we’ll miss most of all is just having this intelligent and kind young man in our hall.  He’s a smile, personified.  He is talented, focused, and mature beyond his years and we love him to bits and bits.  And who is this powerful performing porter who has spent the last month knock knock knocking on our hearts?

March’s YP of the Month is none other than,

Branden Sugden!!!

Branden as Porter in Macbeth (2017).  Photo by Rob Galbraith/Little Guy Media

Branden is a latecomer to CYPT, with Macbeth being his first full-length production with the company. You also may have seen him in A Tale of Two Shoulders during the inaugural Cannonball! festival, or at productions at William Aberhart High School, such as Twelfth Night, Aberhart Summer, or …And Others.

Branden in A Tale of Two Shoulders (Photo by Rob Galbraith/Little Guy Media)

Although he didn’t join CYPT until what is essentially the last possible moment, he could not be more glad that he did. He’s had so much fun getting to put personalities to the faces and stories he knew of Jamie and Kristin, as well as meeting so many talented performers who he’s seen in past shows, like Atlantis, Richard III, or Village of Idiots.  Oh yeah, and they’re also really great people too!

Outside of the theatre you can find Branden in the drama room… and I guess playing the occasional game of D&D too. He would like to thank his family for supporting his chosen career path of acting, and for putting up with his busy theatre schedule all of the time. He would also like to thank his drama teacher, Mrs. DoAmaral for moulding him into the actor he’s become today, as well as everybody at CYPT for being so welcoming to a new face to the company.

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)

“I don’t regret many things, but waiting so long to work with the wonderful people of CYPT is for sure one of them. It’s easily one of the best experiences of my life.”

-Branden Sugden

Actors perform A Tale of Two Shoulders during the Cannonball Festival at West Village Theatre in Calgary on Saturday, May 7, 2016. The festival features six plays, all produced by youth, in conjunction with Calgary Young People’s Theatre. (Photo by Rob Galbraith/Little Guy Media)