"Young adults from within the community with a passion and talent for music, dance, singing and performing were carefully sourced and identified through schools, colleges, community centres, youth groups and churches," explained Karen Burt, founder and facilitator of Inspired Stages. "They were nominated by teachers and peers as individuals who showed potential as both a performer and role model and who would be best suited to the mentorship opportunity.
"The programme was intensive," says Karen. "We went further than natural talent and passion. We trained the mentors in a fully comprehensive programme including all the business aspects of the industry. The intension was to empower young people with the skills to develop their own sustainable business in the performing arts. It was also to take all they had learnt back to their communities to help other young people there." The top students at the workshop were also selected to work on like-minded community projects."
Besides daily workshops, life coaching and leadership challenges, the group were split up into four teams. Each team had to put up their own themed "show" to be hosted on the last evening at the GrandWest Roxy Theatre. Each team was also responsible to sell tickets and raise money for their nominated charity. With this highly motivated group of youngsters, the Roxy Theatre was sold out for this anticipated performance.
Letters of thanks from students who attended have poured in. Karen Burt, Gavin Taylor and the rest of the Inspired Stages team will continue with workshops and mentor programmes throughout the year.
(Jim Evans)
