To teach or not to teach: Never a question for Watermark Theatre

The Watermark Theatre in North Rustico, P.E.I., is continuing to work with young people interested in theatre through its mentorship and acting conservatory programs this summer.

The mentorship program runs all summer and gives recent graduates of theatre school a chance to work behind the scenes under the guidance of industry professionals.

The acting conservatory gives kids between the age of 12 and 18 a chance to hone their skills through classes focused on improvisation techniques, scene study, monologues and stage combat.

The mentorship program started last summer with five interns and will have six students this year, and the acting conservatory will have 10 young actors.

'An energy'

Robert Tsonos, artistic director at the theatre, said that the interns coming in with the mentorship program bring "an energy in the building that's fantastic."

"They're so eager and so excited to be there and they're just stepping into their work lives and I think that's the biggest thing we get."

The interns are all recent graduates of theatre programs and have specialized in different aspects of back stage theatre work like stage management, and costume or set design.

Tsonossaid that the theatre was having trouble filling positions for work behind the curtainwith people from the Island, which was one of the reasons they started the mentorship program.

"Our goal is to train enough here so that we can start hiring locals," he said.

'Still get goose bumps'

Tsonos said that the company enjoys passing knowledge on through both programs, as it offers a change of pace from the preparations for the two shows they put on in the summer.

He also said that it brings them back to their decision to enter the theatre industry.

"It reminds all of us why we got into this business in the first place and really it's the love of theatre," he said.

"You know I've been in the business for 25 years now, and when the lights dim in a theatre I still get goose bumps."

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