The Ottawa Children’s Theatre, a now-empty building in Centretown that used to serve as a second home for youth performers, is bringing the love of theatre back to households through virtual programming amid COVID-19.
The new online programming, set to launch on May 20, includes 21 five-week acting and drama workshops for youth ages three to 18.
Amanda Lewis, founder of the Ottawa Children’s Theatre, said arts programming is always needed — especially during a pandemic — because it teaches valuable life skills such as open communication, spontaneity, and creative thinking in children.
“I can’t think of a time where those things are needed more than they are right now,” Lewis said.
After conducting trials for the online program, The Ottawa Children’s Theatre said the courses helped children connect with each other. Lewis said children who were shy in the past became more confident through online classes.
“The children have an opportunity to see each other and play, there’s a lot of play we do in drama,” Lewis said. “They may be in different spaces, but we’re finding ways that the play crosses those spaces on the screen.”
“It is very interactive, we are not sending out videos for kids to watch, we’re working with them and that I think is very different than their other activities,” Lewis said of the classes’ popularity.
According to Lewis, some of the most popular programs that are almost sold out are ‘Little Creators’ and ‘Acting Up,’ which is for children between the ages of four to six.
Stephen Davies, a parent whose children are taking part in the online classes, said having these online classes is “way better than not having the classes.”
“You can probably get 80 per cent of what they would actually get in the class,” Davies said, although he added a social aspect is still missing.
Stephen’s daughter Piper Davies, 13, who is participating in the online courses said that although she misses the real thing, virtual programming is a good substitute.
“It’s good to be physically with people because there is a connection socially, but everyone is doing their best doing it online,” she said. “I’m finding it’s actually working out really well and I’m quite enjoying it.”
Lewis said she hopes to grow the program and continue to run a few online classes even when doors open back up for live programming.
“We can continue to offer classes to rural students, that [is] really important to me,” Lewis said, highlighting the accessibility of online programming.
“I can also offer [online classes] internationally, if we can get the word out there,” she added.
Neve Sugars-Keen, the co-artistic director of Carleton University’s student-run Sock ‘n’ Buskin Theater Company, said online theatre programming could be used to replace in-person shows.
“We are looking into the possibility of putting on at least one virtual show or radio play at the beginning of the year,” Sugars-Keen said.
Although shows have not yet been decided for the upcoming academic year, Sugars-Keen said they are hoping members of the community will submit virtual show proposals soon.
“We’re hoping that people will use their creativity and come up with something that we can do online,” she added.
Despite the obstacles of moving programming completely online, Lewis said producing theatre during COVID-19 has been a rewarding experience.
“This has been one of the most creatively rich times in my life in recent years because of the challenges,” she said.
Featured image provided by the Ottawa Children’s Theatre.
