Theatre Orangeville

Sharing Recipient Stories

2022 Dufferin County Community Grant Recipient
$7,000

Sharing our grant story

Every year we strive to engage elementary students in our community to develop their understanding of different ways to approach and normalize issues such as; bullying, self-identity and family conflict, to name a few. Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA) uses story telling through theatrical performance to teach students how to cope with and address socially-based issues that dramatically affect them at different stages in their development. Scripts are chosen or commissioned based on these themes, and how they can support educators in fulfilling many facets of the Ontario Elementary Curriculum. Performances also encourage open dialogue with the artists, students and teachers about the subject matter, their thoughts about the performance and how it has impacted them.

With the generous support of the Dufferin County grant, Theatre Orangeville was able to create another dynamic Theatre for Young Audience show to engage students in our community. Our team commissioned a new script, It’s Only a Shadow: A Self-Defence Story – a show that taught students the importance of navigating unhealthy relationships, developing autonomy skills, finding our voice, and building the confidence to use it!

As we continued to navigate the lasting effect of the pandemic, our 2022 TYA show was produced to engage students through the virtual stage. Students were able to view performances at their convenience from their own Classrooms. Information tools were also provided to enable teachers to answer questions and engage in discussion with their students. The program was successful in reaching elementary schools throughout Dufferin County.