Belfry 101 meets after school on two Thursdays during the run of each of the Belfry’s Mainstage productions (see dates below).
First Session (4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
The students are introduced to the world of the play by:
- “Reading the set”—looking for clues in the stage design.
- Participating in theatre games and exercises related in some way to the themes in the script.
- The students have a dinner break—with pizza and soft drinks—and then
- Attend the production.
- Participate in a post-show Question-and-Answer session with the actors and fellow audience members.
Second Session (4:30 to 7:00 p.m.)
The students analyze their experience by:
- Discussing the play and the production elements—design, direction, and performances
- Discussing the themes and images—what was the playwright addressing and how does it pertain to their own lives? What are the larger social issues to which the play is drawing our attention?
March Break Collective:
Some Belfry 101 participants may elect to spend March Break at the Belfry, creating their own piece of theatre, reflecting on the themes and images from the plays they have attended, and sharing their own unique imaginations and ideas.
Their “collective creation” will be presented on one of the stages in the Belfry Theatre, under the title: Belfry 101 Live!
As there is a limit of 12 participants in the March Break Collective, preference will be given to students in grades 11 and 12.
Dates
The program runs from October 2024 to May 2025.
Production
First Thursday
Second Thursday
From Alaska
October 03
October 10
1939
November 14
November 21
Behind the Moon
February 20
February 27
Gordon Lightfoot
May 08
March Break Play Creation
March 10—14 10:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m
March 15 & 16 - full days with evening rehearsals
March 16 performance—7:00p.m. curtain
Price
The cost is $75/student (+GST), and includes:
- One ticket to each of our productions
- Workshops with professional theatre artists
- Pizza and soft drinks on the First Thursdays, as the students stay at the theatre to attend the play in the evening (7:30 curtain).
Bursaries
Price should not be a barrier to applying or participating. Bursaries are available. Individual applicants, parents, or teachers can request a bursary by emailing the Belfry 101 Coordinator at b101(at)belfry.bc.ca
Content Warning
The safety and comfort of the students is of utmost importance to us. Some of our plays deal with mature themes and subject matter, and some contain strong language. Students and parents should consider their comfort level with this sort of material before applying for the program.
Copies of the plays are available at the Belfry Box Office—students and parents are welcome to read the scripts in the comfort of our lobby. In addition, our Box Office staff will be able to provide more details regarding mature content closer to the start of each production.
Application Deadline – September 26, 2024.
There is a limit of 30 participants. Our desire for participation from as many schools as possible may result in a cap on the number of students from any one school.
Questions? Please email our Belfry 101 Co-Ordinator: b101(at)belfry.bc.ca
Belfry 101 is generously supported by The Potash Family Foundation and Fernwood Pizza.
