Philippe Ntare-Rugema

The first time I discovered theatre was the time I decided to get involved in acting. I participated in every art show at art school to learn more. I did improve in acting and I really liked it and I wanted to learn more. That’s when Dana Uzarevic, who is Odyssey’s General Manager since 2006, introduced me to the Youth Apprentice Program and told me if I wanted to learn more about acting and theatre maybe Odyssey would help me. Of course, I jumped to this opportunity and signed myself up for the Youth Apprentice Program. I learned, however, that it was outdoor theatre and I didn’t like being in the outdoors since seagulls were my biggest fear. But, i didn’t care so I went for it.

The days was very rough and involved lots of hard work. I was an Usher, which was my main job, but I did also box office concessions and they were both extraordinary. All of the actors and the rest of the YAP were helpful. But, let me tell you that I had a blast doing this program! I learned more things about acting and there is so much to learn about acting and theatre and I have Odyssey to thank for it.

Emily Cairns

As a front of house apprentice, I was under the impression that I would be selling tickets, and showing guests where the garbage can was. I was wrong — incredibly, hopelessly, blissfully wrong. I started this summer not knowing what to expect, I figured I’d get a little work done, get my community service hours and go on my merry way. I never dreamt that I would be painting sets, and building stairs, and putting posters all over the greater downtown area.

This program has definitely motivated me to get off my butt this summer and into the hands of a truly amazing theatre company. I’ve worked with a lot of really special people and gained a lot of experience in not only the theatre world but customer service, as well since I spent a lot of my time in the box office as a front of house apprentice.

The Youth Apprentice Program was a lot more hands-on than I ever imagined it could be and has really helped me appreciate every aspect of theatre outside of acting. I’ve discovered that I have a love affair with Strathcona Park and outdoor theatre. Although this may not be what I choose to do in the future, this program has been a wonderful experience and I am sad to see it pass so quickly.

Amy Wang

As an admininstrative apprentice, I didn’t think I’d get to interact much with the cast or the other apprentices. My fears, however, were quickly dispelled. Not only have I had the priviledge of getting acquainted with everyone in the cast and crew, I also had many opportunities to work alongside my fellow YAPs. During the first four weeks of rehearsal, most of my days were spent at Strathcona Park, helping set up, building the set, and running lines with the actors. I learned to be quick, efficient, and always on call.

Building a set is an experience I’ll always remember. I had never done anything like it before. The energy I had while constructing the large-scale model from scratch was rivalled only by my thrill upon seeing its completion.

It’s exciting to see everything coming together, and I was honoured to have witnessed nearly every step of the process, including behind-the-scenes box office work (which was my main job after the show opened). I have learned so much about what it really takes to put together a show, more than I could have hoped. By being in this environment, I was able to observe how the director eases his actors into their roles, how the managers deal with crises, and how everyone has to work together to get the job done. It’s been an amazing experience and has definitely been one of my most productive summers so far.

Harry Nolan

I have been involved in theatre my entire life, but recently fell out the habit of it. That’s why, when I heard about the YAP program, I decided to sign up and rekindle my interest.
And now, months later, after having been involved with the production in some way almost every day, I’ve certainly done that! I think about nothing but theatre these days, to the point where I’m even in Strathcona Park in my dreams at night.

My main job is taking tickets and keeping track of how many people come to the show every night. The second part really engaged the math-loving part of me, and I started to play little mental games involving the numbers of people. Mostly, I keep track of how the numbers from one day compare to the last day, and even figure out the percentage it’s increased or decreased by.

Although I’ll be over the age limit and thus unable to take part in this next year, I would take part if I could, and hope that I’ll be able to volunteer.

Adrian Manicom

It’s hard to remember a time when my life didn’t revolve around Strathcona Park. And you know what? That’s awesome. I’ve had so much fun being involved in the production of The Game Of Love and Chance. The only thing I regret is that I had to miss two weeks of rehearsal!

When I applied to join the program, I didn’t really know what it was going to be like. I had seen a poster for YAP around my school’s drama office, but kept forgetting to apply. Then, my friend Mayala (I believe her blogpost is somewhere further down the page) contacted me, said that she was going to do it, and that I should to. I thought, “Why not?” Spending a summer being involved in theatre seemed pretty awesome! So I shot an email off to the Odyssey offices and came in for an interview. I really wanted to be an acting apprentice, but my absence during all of tech week made that rather impossible. However, being a front of house apprentice has been amazing. Even if I don’t get to be onstage with them, I’ve spent lots of times with the actors and have grown rather fond of them. It’s so fabulous to just be able to soak in the atmosphere that those wonderful people create. It makes me want to spend the rest of my life involved in this industry even more that I did before.

My main job (though I, of course, do anything else that needs doing while I’m around) is to sell raffle tickets for our Best Seats in the House draw. At first, I was somewhat apprehensive. I don’t like taking to strangers, and Dana wanted me in a costume and with a lively character. I swiftly realized, though, that I’m actually not all that bad at it. For the sake of having a character, I’ve just made my personality huge, which makes me feel perfectly comfortable loudly asking people to give me money. I’m even enjoying cracking horrible jokes while doing so (they somehow always get a laugh. It’s quite odd).

All in all, I’m very happy I chose to participate in the Youth Apprentice Program. I’m learning so much just by watching the actors, and I’m having a grand time with my fellow YAPs. Mouthing every single line while standing behind the audience is particularly fun. It’s amazing how swiftly you learn a play when you see it eight times a week.

Mayala – Youth Apprentice

When I applied for Odyssey’s Youth Apprenticeship Program I had no idea what to expect. I hoped the program would extend my knowledge and love for the world of theatre, but I had no idea if or how that was going to happen.

On day one, I was instantly included into the process of the show, thrown on stage as I assumed a lively maid. I quickly realized that I had been adopted into a family of wonderful, beautiful, crazy people. No one cared that I had never done anything like this before and everyone was eager to make me feel welcome. I think the most important thing I have learned from this incredible experience is that in the world of theatre, the only way to be successful and to truly enjoy every minute of what you do is by supporting your cast and crew. You may have the most talented people in your production but if they don’t support each other it won’t work and no one will have fun.

I have learned so very much from every one in the cast and crew, I thank them for being so approachable and understanding. My love for the arts will continue to grow, for love knows no bounds, and there is so much wonderful theatre magic out there to explore.

Katie – Youth Apprentice

If there’s one thing this program has taught me, it’s how to take initiative: it’s not enough just to do what you’re told. If you see someone trying to carry a 50 pound staircase themselves, you run over and help them.

I’ve learned more this summer than I ever could have hoped. The theatre world is competitive, and saying you helped with a couple school plays isn’t likely to get you anywhere. Working with a popular and professional theatre company, on the other hand, is all any teenager could ask for. I’ve worked with some amazing people, and now have a better understanding of the role of a stage manager during rehearsals and shows, as well as how front of house operates on show days.

Getting to watch the production 8 times a week never gets boring either. The actors are all beyond talented and there are subtle differences in their performances each night. This has been an incredible, productive summer (and I’m more tan than I’ve ever been).

Odyssey Theatre has definitely been one of the best choices I have made in a long time. The audition and interview process was a great experience, giving you a feel of maybe not
working on stage but how people get jobs working behind the scene and in the office. Getting cast was a moment of surprise because when I auditioned I was only just the right age limit.

Then the summer programme started and I met all the wonderful people I was going to spend the summer with. One of first tasks I learned was how to make coffee. This really helped me  because there is a lot of down time in the park when your not needed, so offering to make some coffee really helped my popularity.

When the acting began I got to work with the professional actors, learn from them and perform myself. Alongside this, I helped construct the set, prepare the props and stage before every performance and then pack it all away again.

It was very exciting working for a summer season and many of my school friends asked if it got boring doing the same show 38 times and the answer was always no. Doing the show 38 times built a bond with the cast and crew and there was always a different situation or mishap to keep everyone on their toes.  But when the shows were done and dusted and the set was taken down I walked away with about 30 new friends, carpentry and set building skills, many different acting warm ups and more happy memories than I could count.

I would recommend anyone who was interested in the theatre to apply to Odyssey Theatre. It has been an experience of a lifetime and was the best environment to learn performing, practical and life skills in.

by Phoebe Williams ( YAP of 2011)

Michaela Deng – Front of House

They say that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. After participating in Odyssey Theatre’s Youth Apprenticeship Program, I agree. I’ve learned that every little job contributes to the final show, and this show could only be made possible with a full team of everyone… from stage managers to ticket sellers. There are countless people working on this play (half of them, I’ve never even met), and it’s simply magical to see how everybody’s share of work molds into something much bigger than you’d expect.

When I first applied, I honestly didn’t know what I was getting into! I thought it’d be “theatre camp”-ish, where every day, we’d fool around… let our creativity run. But, it turned out to be a true, hands-on, learning experience. I found that the trick was to absorb as much as possible; you learn as much as you want to learn because your will and observation all depends on you. And so, even though I didn’t have the chance to come as often as the others, I learned a truckload. I mean, I hammered my first nail on this set! Something I never would’ve expected to do! I feel privileged to have had this opportunity; it has been enlightening.

Something unique that has made this particular production outstanding is the fact that the play is a classic Italian comedy. Now, THAT is some pretty highbrow stuff. You don’t see many ads for those these days! It is said that theatre is becoming more and more underrated and overlooked. It’d be sad to think that beautiful masks and over-the-top costumes, hearty stories, real charisma, and “all that jazz” is slowly being replaced by plastic screens and “one-hit takes”. I, however, have definitely found a shiny, silver lining through Odyssey Theatre’s production of The Fan. The actors are so honest and raw in every rehearsal, the whole crew is so hard-working and dedicated, and the atmosphere is so down-to-earth and composed, yet totally professional at the same time. The setting, Strathcona Park, is so amazing that even the dozens of mosquito bites I get every night are worth it. As cheesy as it sounds, theatre is my bread and butter… the thing that drives me, and so, the idea of this play being a success so far is uplifting! It feels great to be a part of this marvellous masterpiece that Ottawa has been waiting to see unveiled!

Madison Hayes-Crook – Front of House

The second week of performances has finally commenced and after volunteering for a month with Odyssey I can honestly say this has been one of the best learning experiences in theater I’ve ever had. Being given the opportunity to take part in the stage management, set construction, front of house and helping the actors in any way possible has proven that it really does take the hard work and dedication of every one in a show; from each individual working back stage and in rehearsals to the actors themselves in order for a show to be successful.  Being able to watch rehearsal was a fantastic opportunity in itself, as an aspiring actor it really set apart professionals at work from amateurs having fun.

Every actor in the show is tremendously talented and has the ability to take immediate direction and work in a way that is always positive and contributes to the performance. Witnessing this has shown me many desired characteristics in an actor, characteristics that I now hope to learn. Each and every one of Odyssey’s actors in the FAN have work countless hours discovering their characters and analyzing their thoughts, movements and lines to create a performance that will entertain, anyone young or old, and make the most of their theatre experience. Learning about the stage manager’s position in the workshop and seeing the stage manager in action, was an incredible learning curve as well.  I hadn’t realized just how crucial and demanding the stage manager’s job  – have the utmost respect for all of the individuals in the profession. And finally that brings me to my work with the front of house crew.  Everyone is focused, and always willing to help those who ask. Every individual I’ve had the pleasure of working with at Odyssey has been so kind and appreciative of the YAP’s work, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank every one who I have had the chance to work with, and congratulate them on the fantastic show they have created.