A colourful play written by youth and performed on a stage full of sets they designed marked the culmination of a three-week youth theatre project at Humber College this past weekend.
A collaboration between Humber's School of Creative and Performing Arts and the School of Social and Community Services, the Humber Youth Theatre Project - The Jump is a unique theatre program that offers local youth aged 12 to 14 the chance to enjoy a theatre experience that supports the development of both social skills and self-esteem. Humber Theatre Performance grad Amanda Nicholls, who's been a Jump Theatre counsellor for the last three years, called the program a "special and unique" one."It gives today's youth an opportunity to voice their opinions and thoughts in a creative way and share it with the world through a production that they create: a play that is full of their words and a set that comes from their imagination," she said in a statement. "While doing all of this, they are also learning very important social skills. It is a program that makes a difference in the lives of youth."Jump Theatre participants were selected with the help of social services agencies across Etobicoke, based on need and interest in theatre. Funded by Humber, the community outreach program is one of many examples of the college's dedication to building stronger relationships with the communities around its campuses.Etobicoke-Lakeshore MPP Laurel Broten, minister of children and youth services, was on hand Saturday to take in the show and to congratulate Jump Theatre's participants and organizers."These unique community outreach projects are so important because they empower kids by giving them a great opportunity they would not otherwise have to exercise their creativity and to build self-confidence," she said.The program, which took place at the Humber Arts and Media Studios, grew from eight participants five years ago to 30 participants this year. New this year was the addition of the Leader-in-Training program, which offered youth aged 15 to 17 the opportunity to learn the important skills of being strong community leaders.Rob Thompson, director of communications for the Children's Aid Society of Toronto, lauded Humber for its initiative."This is the type of initiative and partnership that provides an excellent opportunity for youth involved with our agency to learn the valuable lessons inherent in collaboration, teamwork and performing," he said in a statement. "It also exposes these youth, who are of high school age, to one of the top colleges in the country."