Reunited and it feels so good
Not every kid on the block can shoot like a Gretzky, bend it like Beckham or hit like A-Rod.
There are other dreamers who aspire to make it ‘big’ — perhaps more like Julia Roberts, Ryan Reynolds, Shania Twain, Elton John.
Or Kelowna-raised big-screen star Taylor Kitsch.
They dare to imagine a time in their lives when their names will be on billboards, in movies and their singing talents are dazzling Broadway.
Everyone has to start somewhere, and everyone needs a hand along the way.
Enter the Kelowna Actors Studio Academy Foundation, which since its inception in 2013, has seen 30-plus young students go on to reach for the stars with post secondary education in the arts.
Recent graduates have been accepted into musical theatre arts school in New York City and the prestigious Guildford School of Acting in London.
This year, the academy opens its doors to students in a much more functional space, dubbed the WorkRoom; a place to meld traditional high school education with the opportunity to foster young people with solid performing arts offerings.
“It’s a place where like-minded kids, tweens and teens, can be their own fabulous, creative self. A place to thrive, be praised for your talents and strengths and not hide your differences so the bullies don’t notice you,” noted co-founder Randy Leslie.
“Theatre, the performing arts, gave me somewhere to thrive, and has become my passion to give kids like me — a safe place to be themselves and to learn what inspires them, and continue learning.”
“Reunion,” a spectacular gala set for Wednesday and Thursday at the Kelowna Community Theatre will help greatly to fuel the ongoing needs of the foundation, a non-profit charitable organization fostering excellence in arts education in the Okanagan.
Get ready to be dazzled with much-loved renditions from Broadway plays and musicals: Cabaret, Les Miserables, The Sound of Music, Rent, Shrek, Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat plus much more.
The two evenings of top-notch performances will be a tribute to many of the 100 staged shows that KAS has brought to the community over the past 15 years, featuring the singers and performers who have been the bedrock of this home-grown theatre company.
“It’s an intimate and powerful evening of memories from our history,” added Nate Flavel, co-founder of the studio.
“A stroll down memory lane with great songs and with the people who have dedicated countless hours to the success of KAS.”
With a lofty goal of “putting a substantial dent” in the much-needed $130,000 to furbish the new acting academy space and performance centre, the fundraiser is a building block to ensure local young people, who harbour those “performance dreams” can take step towards dancing with their own stars.
In addition to classes in music, dance and drama with practical experience both on stage and behind the scenes, KAS regularly gives free and discounted classes to kids of all ages.
“We want all kids to learn to stand up and be heard, be funny and let the ideas flow. So every kid can find a place to belong,” Leslie added.
Proceeds from Reunion! will benefit the completion of the new WorkRoom location with equipment, community programming and educational outreach.
As well as memorable songs, there will be well-wishes via video with far-flung KAS alumni across North America, and a very special memorial tribute to rising star Scott Lawlor.