MTYP is set to start a new series of performing arts workshops in Thompson and Flin Flon this January.

Thompson’s Mall of the Arts, in partnership with the Flin Flon Arts Council and MTYP, is set to offer virtual interactive theatre classes, starting on January 9, 2021.

Thompson resident Andria Stephens contacted Crystal Kolt, of the Flin Flon Arts Council, and together they decided the time was right to launch online theatre workshops for northern students.

The new series is called The Spotlight Series. “What MTYP is doing for us is massive. MTYP and the Flin Flon Arts Council are taking a chance on me,” says Stephens. Stephens wants to bring more performing arts to the small northern city of Thompson. Ultimately, her goal is to develop a space of artisans, a café, as well as a theatre and training spaces for the performing arts.

MTYP will launch The Spotlight Series in early January. Matthew Armet, MTYP’s Interim Drama Outreach Coordinator, says, “The Spotlight Series is six workshops in total: two in Creative Drama, two in Dance, and two in Puppetry and Mask. It will be great to offer an introduction in each of these art forms to the students in the hopes of finding out what they love the most. This will then allow us to run a full length program in that discipline in the future.”

Armet says this new program represents a silver lining of the pandemic. “We were so excited when Andria called to set up workshops in Thompson and Flin Flon. because of our experiences since coping with the pandemic, we are now set up and able to offer Zoom workshops to northern communities. We have many instructors who have mastered how to engage with  students through their computer screens!”

Andria is currently accepting registrations. Classes start on January 9 and run every Saturday until February 13. Each offering for creative drama, dance it out and puppetry and mask will be divided into three age groups (4-7, 8-11 and 12 and up) to further gear these programs for the young people taking part.“I cannot wait,” says Stephens. “I’ve always loved taking drama. And I’ve always wanted to be a part of that community. This is so exciting for me. I’m so excited I’ve already signed up my kids. I love getting the youth involved and I can’t wait to get the adults involved later.”

To register: https://www.mallofthearts.com/upcoming-events