Inside The Journey Studio At Regent Park

When we first heard about The Journey Studio – a two-week professional training program for young Regent Park artists in dance, theatre, and music – we were intrigued. This arts incubator launched in August of this year with seven participants, culminating in a musical production, The Journey (which in turn helps fund the incubator). We chatted with Nidhi Khanna, the Managing Director for Daniels Spectrum, to find out more.

How does this arts incubator work?

Over the course of the program, participants co-created an original mini-musical through script writing, choreography, and musical composition with professional-level structuring and refining with facilitators. For example, Jeremiah Sparks, Musical Facilitator of the program and Choral Director and Principal Actor of The Journey, guided participants through song-writing. The participants wrote eight lines of music together, then split into two groups, expanded on four of the lines and created a melody. After participants presented their creation, Jeremiah composed the show’s music to match the melody.

With a safe space to work outside of their comfort zones, to express their perspectives on the world around them and to develop new art forms, the emerging artists gained confidence and self-worth.

During the two-week program, participants collaborated to create an original mini-musical. The final performance is a community presentation that is integral to showcasing the group’s collaborative process in front of an audience that supports their growth and learning. This program fits very nicely into the mandate of Daniels Spectrum – to add creative experience to people’s lives, and fostering creative learning and innovation through accessible, immersive activities. Like Daniels Spectrum’s Ada Slaight Youth Arts Mentorship Program, which is a five-month program focused on youth arts mentorship and building participants’ artistic craft, The Journey Studio allows participants an opportunity to collaborate and leap, stretch, explore, find their confidence, and professionally present the work.

The Journey Studio participants also had the opportunity to apply what they learned through the program by joining the cast in the 2016 musical production of The Journey. Participant Stacy Darko joined the principal cast in the role of Ms. Morgan, and Itzel Velazquez Martin joined the cast ensemble.

Photo: Yasin Osman, founder of #ShootForPeace

Who can apply? 

The Journey Studio is open to young emerging artists in dance, theatre, and music who are interested in a professional training program, with a preponderance of participants from Regent Park. The program is an opportunity for Regent Park’s rich talent pool to learn how to be in a professional theatre context and to access mentorship from more established Regent Park artists like Trevlyn Kay, and Britta Badour – local stars of The Journey musical.

There is no fee to participate, but there is an audition process. The audition process reinforces the professionalism of the program and ensures commitment from participants.

What are you hearing from the artists about their experience?

All of the participants believed that the program honed their skills and creative capacity in music, dance, and acting. They also agreed that The Journey Studio increased their confidence as an artist and they felt safe to share their perspectives and stories to the group. The supportive environment pushed participants out of their comfort zones every day to be vulnerable and to explore. These are key hurdles beyond talent that someone needs to overcome to have a professional practice.

Daniels Spectrum continues to expand programming that ensures access and opportunity for cultural participation to the Regent Park community and beyond. In a neighbourhood that faces significant economic, social, and cultural barriers, The Journey Studio leverages Artscape’s resources and infrastructure to connect underserved, at-risk Regent Park and area youth with high-quality arts programming, educational workshops, and mentorships.

Want to know more? Visit here.