From Warehouse to Wonder: How cSPACE Transformed Quest Theatre’s Summer Camps

On growing potential and opportunity

“Before cSPACE Marda Loop (2017), Quest worked out of a warehouse space in an industrial area near Chinook Centre.  Although the large space allowed us to have our offices, storage and rehearsal space in one location, the only people who stopped by were the guy who read the gas meter. It was not a place where we could connect with young people and their families, let alone conduct family-friendly programming.  At cSPACE we are connected to a vibrant neighborhood community, our profile is elevated, and we believe outsiders see us as the dedicated and passionate artists that we are. 

We are now surrounded by potential and opportunity. We meet artists from other disciplines, we run into cultural and community leaders, we participate in shared events and activities like the annual Halloween Showcase and The Market, we host board meetings in the RGO Treehouse, and we take advantage of the Studio Theatre for fundraising activities, performances of our touring shows and of course, summer camps.  We interact with families, young people, and curious artistic-loving visitors. We are so grateful to be able to call cSPACE Marda Loop our home.

“Performing in the cSPACE Studio Theatre elevates the campers’ performances; it gives weight, importance, and a great deal of celebration to young people’s efforts…we feel a real sense of community”

Elevating kids’ experiences through comfortable, well-equipped spaces

We used to conduct our Summer Camps in a neighbourhood Church, and in a Jewish Synagogue before that. Although the number of classrooms was ample at these locations, the common space, which was also the performance space, was unbearably hot. We had 4 air conditioners running at all times and it was mostly to show parents we were trying to address the heat as it did not get much cooler in there. Then we moved to cSPACE and had access to the Studio Theatre for both classroom and performance space.

Performing in a comfortable and well-equipped place, as is the cSPACE Studio Theatre, elevates the campers’ performances; it gives weight, importance, and a great deal of celebration to young people’s efforts. We see our kids better, we hear our kids better, we feel a real sense of community between our teaching artists, creative young people, and their excited families.

“Most kids everywhere are natural creators, we just encourage their confidence with their innate, ridiculous, and brilliant ability to be creative, to play, and to tell stories.”

Building strong, confident kids

At Quest we want nothing more than to help build strong, confident kids through our superpower of drama education. Most kids everywhere are natural creators, we just encourage their confidence with their innate, ridiculous, and brilliant ability to be creative, to play and to tell stories.

This year, Dani, one of our 19 camp instructors, worked with a sweet child who struggled with stage anxiety. She initially requested no lines and a minor role, but as the week progressed and she gained confidence, she created a primary character and even delivered a line! With the support of her class, she overcame her anxiety and performed with a smile. Her mother later shared how thrilled she was to see her daughter, who had always wanted to try acting but was too shy, succeed on stage.

And then, there’s one legendary story…

There was a boy we named ‘Stick Boy’. Stick Boy was a neighbourhood kid who wandered around and was very curious about our camps; he was sighted many times over a few summers.  We couldn’t figure out if he was just hanging out or going to a different camp at cSPACE Marda Loop. He would watch the classes from the second-story window that looks down into the Studio Theatre, and he was always seen with a stick, thus his nickname: Stick Boy.

He did befriend some kids in the oldest class one year and they invited him to see their final performance and he came! Stick and all!  We encouraged him to register for camp, but he never did. Perhaps not a performer, but rather an enthusiastic future audience member” …and perhaps a Theatre Star!

The Studio Theatre provides a setting that elevates young performers’ work, fostering confidence and creativity. From nurturing shy campers into confident actors to welcoming curious visitors like the legendary “Stick Boy,” Quest Theatre continues to inspire and empower the next generation of storytellers.

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