Reflections from a TJB Graduate: Jenny Bowie

Theatre; Just Because is honoured to have had Jenny Bowie included in every year of our Youth Players program since the program’s inception. In her years in the program, Jenny has proven herself to be a brilliant actor, director, and improviser. This year, we celebrated her graduation. We asked Jenny if she would share some of her reflections on her years with the company.

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Theatre has been a huge part of my life since 2016 when I was 11. The first Youth Players production of Fantastic Mr. Fox was in the 2016-2017 season and was the first play I had ever acted in. It was scary to jump into something I had never done before, but after the production ended, I realized I wanted to do this for the rest of my life. I met many amazing life-long friends and experienced things I would never have experienced elsewhere. Throughout the first production, I knew I wanted to continue doing this program, as there was something about the program that was unlike any other thing in town. Now finishing my final year and aging out of the program lets me reflect on what I’ve learned and done and how excited I am to watch the program continue from the outside. 

The Youth Players Program is wonderful for youth wanting to get into the theatre scene and looking for more experience. The program administrators have taught me something new every year, and I am glad I rejoined. Because of them, I have become a better actor, socializer, and person. Every year I have met new people from all different kinds of life that I will never forget, that I can’t forget. This program has taught me much about myself as an actor and a human being, and without it, I know I would be a much different person. I will always cherish the memories I have made throughout the years, being in all the shows they have produced. 

Finishing my final year has been a weird experience for me. I have been doing this program for seven years, and now I feel unsure how to let go. It has been a constant routine in my life since 2016. At every job I worked, I told them I was unavailable every Tuesday and Sunday between November and April. It was my second home for years, and now, knowing I’m going off into the world, I am forever grateful for what Theatre; Just Because has taught me. I want to thank all the program administrators I have worked with over the years, especially Emma and Bailey. Since I started working with them, they have made my second home feel special. They have taught me so much, and I know they will continue to give youth the same amazing experience I had been a youth player for seven years. 

If you are a youth or a parent looking for a program to put your child/yourself into to learn social skills, theatre, and other talents, I would strongly suggest the Youth Players Program. Even after so many years of joining and rejoining, I never was tired of it, and I am forever grateful. If you are considering putting yourself or your child into this program, I would advise being yourself. Though the first few days may be scary, once everyone comes out of their shell the experience is life-changing. You will meet amazing people, learn spectacular life lessons, and will have so much fun along the way! 

- Jenny Bowie

Jenny Bowie

Pictured here in 2022/23 Youth Players production of Dolcevita or the Clown Chorus of the Carnival del Dolcevita Proudly Presents the Sad Tale of the Turbinado Triplets by Briandaniel Oglesby.

Jenny not only appeared onstage as the Widow Rosetta, but she also provided improvised intermezzi with the audience in the style of carnival games and was a student director of the production. She also did her own clown makeup!

Stage Manager Mentorship: Purge

Theatre; Just Because Mentorship Program

Stage Management

Theatre; Just Because’s mentorship program aims to give artists hands-on experience in Stage Management. We are looking for aspiring theatre artists of all experience levels. Mentees may be emerging or more experienced artists who want to learn about Stage Management and working in theatre. The TJB mentorship program aims to develop our local artists and the overall theatre community in Wood Buffalo / ᓂᐢᑕᐋᐧᔮᐤ / nistawâyâw . 

The selected mentee will be paired with Zachary Barrett, established Stage Manager, throughout the production of Purge in 2021. This is a volunteer position. The time commitment will be determined by the mentee’s capacity.

During the program, the Mentee will gain:

  • An understanding of the management and operational workings of a theatre production

  • Leadership and interpersonal management skills 

  • A proficiency with management tools and software required for:

    • Scheduling

    • Script organization and analysis

    • Departmental communication

    • Cast and Crew tracking and communication

    • Show calling and management 

The Stage Manager Mentee will:

  • Meet with Stage Manager outside rehearsals once a week

  • Participate in rehearsals

  • Participate in production meetings

  • Participate in the technical process

  • Participate in performances

  • Post-show exit interview

Please note: this is not a job, but a learning opportunity. The amount of involvement of the mentorship will be determined by the mentor. Preference will be given to first-time applicants. Mentees must be at least 16 years old by the start of their mentorship.

Application

Submit your application to info@theatrejustbecause.com, containing the following:

  • Resume outlining your artistic experience (if you have none, please list applicable experiences). Examples of an artistic resume can be found here

  • Personal letter introducing yourself and touching on why you are interested in the mentorship program (approximately 500-800 words)

  • Contact information 

Deadline

This call closes on Wednesday, March 31st, 2021 at 4 PM. Late submissions will not be considered.

Contact

For more information on our mentorship program please email Samson Nand, Company Manager at info@theatrejustbecause.com.

Brittany's Letter

On December 1, 2020, the Mayor and Council of Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo debated and voted on several budget items, including the 2021 Community Impact Sustaining Grants. In support of the Keyano College funding request to cover operational costs for Keyano Theatre & Arts Centre, local actor and arts champion Brittany Sutherland wrote a letter to Council, telling her story and expressing her support for the theatre in Wood Buffalo.

It moved us to tears. Brittany’s letter beautifully expresses what theatre and the arts mean to many of us, and the incredible impact it can have on a person’s journey, and we wanted to share it with you as well (with her approval, of course).

Thank you, Brittany, for your support of theatre in our region!

Brittany’s Letter

My name is Brittany Sutherland and I have been a resident of Fort McMurray for almost 20 years. I am a proud Métis woman who is a dedicated performer in the arts. I am writing this letter because I want to express how important Keyano Theatre is to myself and the community.

When I was younger, full of insecurities, anxiety, and unknown mental health issues, I would volunteer at Keyano Theatre and watch the amazing shows in awe; it gave me a place of comfort and safety to escape to. In those earlier years, I performed several times on the main stage and recital stage for high school and community performances with multiple concert bands, jazz bands, and choirs.

Performing gave me purpose and helped calm the stresses of everyday life and even inspired me to go to University for music performance. In the last four years, from watching others' performances and from being majorly inspired by amazing people in this community, I have fought through many mental health and chronic pain battles and was finally able to make my dream come true and participate myself as an actress on the main Keyano Theatre stage; acting, dancing, and singing in the productions of Spoon River Anthology, Mamma Mia!, and Flashdance The Musical. I was even part of a local singing group called Phoenix Rising and we performed in the lobby for the opening of an out of town theatre production, practiced weekly in the rehearsal rooms, and even pulled off a spectacular Christmas concert last year with many other community members involved while also raising funds for our local SPCA.

The rush of amazing feelings I get when performing at Keyano Theatre is not measurable and cannot be solely defined in words. It is a place where I can work hard and be noticed for something other than the struggles I have been through. Being involved with the theatre has helped me push my own boundaries, grow as a person, develop many new connections, and has helped me become a more valuable community member.

Keyano Theatre helps many others in our community including much of our youth. There are theatre, dance, and music programs for students and the thrill of performing on that Keyano theatre stage in front of hundreds of people get the kids to work very hard through intense rehearsals which teaches them good discipline and structure. Kids performing for their parents and peers can be some of the most uplifting and encouraging experiences for them and one that they can cherish for the rest of their lives. It helps kids to reach beyond their anxiety and fears and push themselves out of their comfort zone which is needed in everyday life to thrive and succeed.

Keyano Theatre is a place where people of all ages can practice and perform while being in a safe place, learning others' perspectives, and performing in so many ways while truly being themselves without harsh judgment and yet in a professional environment.

Many of my friends and I participate in the theatre as audience members. Having the option to go to the theatre for shows of all sorts allows all of us to have something to do locally and to go on special outings together; for some of them, Keyano Theatre is their only source of date nights together and it would be tragic to take that away from them, and for some of them Keyano Theatre presents an opportunity to take their kids out and expose them to different cultures and sources of entertainment.

If Keyano Theatre closed, Fort McMurray would not be the same for so many people including myself; the sheer thought of it makes me ill and takes away so much joy. The brilliant arts community in this town thrives from the theater and creates so many opportunities for people to bond, make friends, volunteer, explore new hobbies or employment, and see amazing entertainment on all levels. Losing the theatre would mean people losing their jobs and livelihood, this is not just about the volunteers and unpaid performers. The arts must stay alive and thrive in this community as it is an important part of life for so many people.

Of course, many businesses are struggling because of the Covid pandemic but I strongly believe that as soon as we are all able to be involved with Keyano Theater again, many opportunities will present themselves. Teachers will be able to teach their students in the rehearsal rooms, dance students and community members will be able to rehearse in the rehearsal spaces, local musicians will be able to rent rooms to have somewhere to practice, schools will be able to have their students perform plays and Christmas concerts on the stages, local arts festivals and community members will be able to perform on the stages, community members will be able to act, dance, and sing on the stages in the large and small scale theatrical productions, not to mention all the employees of Keyano Theatre that will be able to return to work. These are just a few of the examples that go on at the Keyano Theatre and if it were to be closed down due to lack of funding, it would lower the overall morale of our community and break many hearts.

Please consider taking a look at your municipal budget to find room to keep the Keyano Theater alive through this difficult time, it keeps mine and many others' souls alive and we all together must strive to protect what is important to us.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my letter.

Sincerely,

Brittany Sutherland

Put your best face forward: The importance of a good headshot

"Nay, but make haste; the better foot before." - William Shakespeare, King John (1596)


No doubt you have heard the saying “put your best foot forward” in reference to presenting yourself as best you can, to make a good impression on others. Even Shakespeare alluded to it! In theatre especially, having a solid headshot that, in an instant, gives people a sense of who you are, is an important tool of the trade. Never underestimate the power of the human connection: to borrow another saying - “a face to a name”. A headshot that captures the essence of who you are is a powerful tool in promoting yourself, your project, and your story. Even those artists whose product is physically separate from them, such as visual artists, a good headshot further connects you to your audience, as the photograph gives them a sense of who the person is behind the art. A headshot facilitates a sense of familiarity, even if you’ve never met, and underlines the fact that art is not some abstract ethereal existence, it is about humans reaching out to each other. 

On a more practical level, having a good headshot means you’re ready to provide it whenever promotional or recognition opportunities arise. If you have a social media page, or a website, a good headshot is a solid foundation to introduce the rest of your information. Involved in a production, a show, an exhibition, a book fair, an album launch? Your headshot is a valuable piece of the promotional puzzle and will almost always be used. Featured in an interview? Your headshot is a great visual component, along with any other photos you may have of your work. Recognition, such as awards, usually ask for a headshot as part of the overall nomination package as it rounds out the information you provide about yourself and your work - again, it gives the selection committee a person to connect with. Basically anytime you are part of something where written information about yourself is needed, a headshot is the complementing piece. Be ready!


The best part about being an artist is you can be a little creative with your headshot as well, let it truly reflect who you are! I recommend you work with a professional photographer, maybe even one who has headshot experience. This is an investment in yourself, work with someone who sees it that way. A great headshot photographer will also know how to bring YOU out in the photograph, to alleviate the worries of all of us who believe we don’t look good in pictures. They will also be upfront about limited editing of the photograph, so the final image looks like you on your best day, not a Photoshopped imitation. A good quality headshot should last you a number of years, as long as you don’t go through any drastic changes, so take the time to get it right. 


And remember - the best way artists can make a better environment for themselves is to support other artists. Pay for a photographer or make meaningful partnerships, and promote each other’s work. Happy headshots!

In 2019, Theatre; Just Because were sponsored by Crystal Mercredi of Life and Portraits, adding professional headshots to the actors portfolio. Thank you, Crystal!