In 2001, twenty-five aspiring artists performed in the atrium of Market Square as part of InterAction School of Performing Arts’ debut show. Fifteen years later, with now more than 250 students, the school is bringing stories to life with their first festival of the performing arts.
“The atmosphere at InterAction is always energetic, hardworking, and fun. But this time of year it’s buzzing with excitement,” says executive director, Kate Wilcott.
The two-week festival will showcase each of the school’s three departments with a variety of dance, music and theatre performances. As per their collaborative ethos many of the theatrical pieces will be accompanied by students from the music department, with a number of the performances featuring songs, monologues and dances that were written and choreographed by the students themselves.
This year the festival is not just about going back to the roots of the performing arts school, but looking to celebrate their future as they continue to grow and increase their involvement in the community. “Next season, we will be touring the province with a show for middle schoolers that explores mental health issues.”
InterAction has hit many milestones since 2001, including becoming a registered charity and moving in to their own facility at the Sanctuary Theatre on Saint John’s Germain Street. “Having an opportunity to create a company like InterAction in my home town is amazing,” says Wilcott. “The support of the families involved over the past 15 years is what has allowed us to grow and become what we are.”
“I’ve also been blessed to work with the best industry professionals and teaching artists. In addition to the in-house programming we do, we also spend a lot of time working with children in priority neighbourhoods by bringing arts-based learning opportunities to their schools, as well as giving them opportunities to perform in our theatre.”
InterAction continues to develop new programs each year to bring new possibilities to the stage. The Spring Festival runs from May 24th to June 4th. For more details on performances, or to purchase tickets visit www.iactspa.com