Providing valuable work experience to individuals looking to pursue a career in theatre production is an excellent opportunity to increase and develop their required skills for employment, says Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Richard Brown.
“Our Government places a strong emphasis on ensuring Island workers have the skills necessary to obtain and maintain sustainable and meaningful work. The new theatre mentorship project will help address a critical shortage of skilled labour in backstage theatre positions in Prince Edward Island, and meet employment needs identified by the industry,” said Minister Brown. “We are very pleased to support this exciting initiative in PEI’s growing cultural sector.”
The training is funded by SkillsPEI through a partnership with Culture PEI and seven Island theatres and festivals. Sixteen unemployed individuals will have the opportunity to participate in a 26-week program to train on various projects with local theatres and festivals across the Island. Through this work experience project, participants will gain skills and knowledge to support career opportunities in the field of theatre production.
“Our 2015 Labour Market Study showed that the community on PEI is facing a looming labour shortage in backstage and administrative positions,” said Culture PEI Executive Director Mark Sandiford. “This project is designed to address this problem by training the next generation of department heads for the Island’s theatres.”
“It is important that we encourage and support our Island artists, so that more people can enjoy the Island’s artistic and performing works first hand,” said Education, Early Learning and Culture Minister Doug Currie. “Local arts institutions, especially performing arts, also draw visitors to the Island. In turn, those people become ambassadors for the Prince Edward Island cultural experience.”
“It’s hard to make a name for yourself in technical theatre,“ said Pat Caron, Technical Director Intern, Watermark Theatre. “This project will give me the ability to be seen as a viable candidate for leadership roles in technical theatre.”
Training will be held over a 10-month period at Culture PEI, Watermark Theatre in North Rustico, the Victoria Playhouse, Kings Playhouse in Georgetown, Carrefour de l’Isle Saint-Jean, Art in the Open, Anne and Gilbert, and The Guild in Charlottetown.
This program is supported through the Work Experience PEI program funded under the Canada-PEI Labour Market Development Agreement.