BUY TICKETS
In January, our Young Company had an amazing opportunity to work with members of The Saratoga International Theatre Institute, or SITI Company as they are more commonly known.
SITI Company is an ensemble-based theatre company whose three ongoing components are the creation of new work, the training of young theatre artists, and a commitment to international collaboration. They were founded in 1992 by Anne Bogart and Tadashi Suzuki to redefine and revitalize contemporary theatre in the United States through an emphasis on international cultural exchange and collaboration. Originally envisioned as a summer institute in Saratoga Springs, New York, SITI has expanded to encompass a year-round program based in New York City with a summer season in Saratoga.
Our Young Company was especially fortunate in having J.Ed Araiza one of SITI's actors and an established and produced playwright, and Ellen Lauren, the Associate Artistic Director of the company come to work with our young actors. There were many challenges in making this happen for our company; however, this opportunity was ultimately rewarding and enriching for all concerned. Shalyna Winsborrow is a member of our Young Company: "You get this opportunity once in a lifetime, and when the opportunity came through it was harder than I thought. I kept pushing through, because it's worth it in the long run."
Our Young Company was challenged by J.Ed and Ellen to work in ways new to them: "For five days we shared the training that the SITI company has championed for twenty years with this amazing young company. We did not change our methods to gear it towards a 'young' company, but challenged them to set the bar high for themselves and others. We went further and deeper in those five days than I expected to, and this was entirely due to the group effort and the talent and discipline they showed us."
Lyndesfarne's Young Company is not just a place to spend a few hours...a theatrical alternative to hanging out at Tim Horton's! It's a place where emerging talent from St.Catharines can be nurtured and encouraged to grow and stay in this area, bringing their creative skills to the burgeoning arts scene in the Niagara region. As Ellen Lauren from SITI pointed out, "Working with those young people, some of whom might truly find a lifetime in the arts, was refreshing, meaningful and rejuvenating."
Dana McKenzie from our Young Company agreed that, "the knowledge they instilled in me will be something I am sure to carry for the rest of my acting career. If I ever end up making something of my acting abilities, they are definitely two of a few people to thank for it."
This was the fourth time that SITI had come to work with Lyndesfarne, and we as a company owe them a debt of thanks for the tremendous efforts they made to be with us, especially as the first big snow of the winter hit almost as they landed at Buffalo. We actually also owe a continuing debt of gratitude to St. Thomas Church on Onatrio Street who support our Young Company week in-week out by donating the space for us to work in.
It's tempting in these newsletters to just blow our own trumpet as a company, but perhaps it does need repeating again that no other company in this region has been able to offer such a training experience to young people. Our Young Company also has the advantage of being able to put so much of their training into practice as they work towards their production of Animal Farm, which will run at The St.Catharines Collegiate from May 11th to the 14th.
Perhaps the last word should go again to J.Ed from SITI Company: "I had a blast: they made us forget the weather outside. They are a wonderful group of young actors and I fully expect Animal Farm to be an amazing show."
You can find out more about SITI CO at: www.siti.org
Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects is an affiliate member of PACT (Professional Association of Canadian Theatres).
LTP engages under the Independent Theatre Agreement, professional theatre artists who are members of Canadian Actors Equity Association.
Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects is an enthusiastic supporter of a new Niagara Centre for the Arts in downtown St. Catharines!
![inspire-colour-2011[1]](http://static.wix.com/media/2bc528ece8a5cd58b9a52473681f6443.wix_mp_128)
