Alicia Barban
Academy Artist
Soulpepper is pleased to introduce the five promising artists that will be a part of this year's Academy: Alicia Barban, Belinda Corpuz, Ben Kopp, Ruaridh MacDonald, and Haneul Yi.
ABOUT the academy
The Soulpepper Academy aims to develop highly skilled theatre artists who are equipped to make significant contributions in rehearsal halls and to the cultural landscape of Canada. Following the program’s re-launch in 2021 under Artistic Director Weyni Mengesha’s leadership, the Academy has focused on an inclusive and care-based approach to artistic training. Past faculty members have included some of Canada's leading artists: d’bi.young anitafrika, Ins Choi, Ravi Jain, Kim Collier, Gregory Prest, Guillermo Verdecchia, and Artistic Director Weyni Mengesha, who have helped Academy artists develop their artistic voice with original creations throughout the 26-week paid training program.
This year’s Academy is focused on musical storytelling and creation. Academy members were chosen for their unique musical talent and their skills as collaborators in musical creation and performance. The Academy curriculum will be taught through rehearsals, classes, studio intensives, and workshops, led by renowned artists such as Ins Choi, d’bi.young anitafrika, and the Bad Hats theatre ensemble.
The cohort will also headline Soulpepper’s mainstage production of Alligator Pie, a joyous and musical family show based on the celebrated children’s poems of Dennis Lee. Originally created by Academy alumni Ins Choi, Raquel Duffy, Ken Mackenzie, Gregory Prest, and Mike Ross, the return of this beloved holiday show will feature new contributions from the 2024 Soulpepper Academy.
Artistic Director Weyni Mengesha, a graduate of the inaugural class, and Executive Director Gideon Arthurs, a notable leader in Canadian artistic training (National Theatre School) continue to champion the renewed principles of the Soulpepper Academy. Soulpepper’s ambition to be a civic leader and provide a supportive home for all artists is brought into focus through the Academy, and it has played a significant role in the development of generations of Canadian artists and arts leaders since 2006.
soulpepper academy first term sharing
On August 29 & 30 at 7pm, we were pleased to invite audiences to the First Term Academy Sharing in the Tank House Theatre at Soulpepper. The Academy shared five works-in-progress developed through their first term module, Decolonial Performance Praxis and Biomyth Making facilitated by d'bi.young anitafrika. .
Click here to view the program.
The Soulpepper Academy is supported by RBC Emerging Artists Project, the canada arts training fund, and the generosity of Sylvia Soyka, the Kingfisher Foundation, and the Norman and Margaret Jewison Chartiable Foundation. Thank you!
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