Join Saskatchewanians Onstage and Onscreen

Saskatchewan auditions have been cancelled due to unforeseen travel complications. Prairie artists may submit a video audition. Visit ccpacanada.com/apply for details

Nationally renowned director Jacques Lemay heads to Saskatoon and Regina this February to uncover Saskatchewan's emerging artists as part of the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA)'s National Audition Tour.

Saskatchewan has always been a hot spot for CCPA's annual tour. Dozens of young artists from the Prairies have gone on to Broadway, Stratford, and theatre across the nation upon successfully completing the program at CCPA. Joel Bernbaum is founding artistic director of Saskatchewan's Sum Theatre, as well as a successful actor, playwright, and journalist. Elly Thorn is a songwriter and recording artist with singles picked up on over 50 stations across Canada. You've seen Matthew Armet onstage at the Stratford Festival and Austin Eckert onscreen in the popular TV series The Flash, Supernatural, and The Magicians.

Lemay will hold auditions in Saskatoon on February 16 at 5:30 p.m. at Pure Energy (1-3310 Fairlight Drive), and in Regina on February 17 at 3:30 p.m. at Sask Express MT Studio (2272 Pasqua St).

Co-founders Lemay and Janis Dunning are back to celebrate the College's 20th anniversary year. Managing Director Lemay will lead the auditions in Saskatoon and Regina.

"We bring Canadians from all regions of our country to one place to work together and create together," explains Lemay, "As a result our students develop a national awareness of the Canadian theatre scene and create nationwide bonds with their peers which will assist them in their future careers."

CCPA believes in providing affordable education for deserving students. The College is owned and operated by the Canadian Heritage Arts Society (CHAS), a not for profit charitable organization. Canadian students receive a tuition subsidy from CHAS, totaling nearly half the cost of the training.

"Often students can't afford to travel to auditions," says Lemay, "so we travel to them. It also gives us the opportunity to meet our potential candidates in their environment and discover the wealth of talent in our country."

Lemay recalls one young man who auditioned many years ago: "He was at a career crossroads. The interview portion of the audition was essential to his decision to join the College. He decided to come, somewhat reluctantly, with the intention to complete just one year. Well," says Lemay, "he was so impressed by the quality and intensity of the program as well as the highly respected faculty that he stayed for the second year. He's now a professional actor and director. I recently had the great fortune of seeing him in a lead role in the Citadel Theatre's production of Shakespeare in Love in Edmonton."

Many other graduates have gone to Broadway, London, Toronto, Stratford, Shaw, and Charlottetown, and have done films, television, and recordings. Alumna Carly Rae Jepsen described her time at CCPA as one of the "best memories of my life."

CCPA offers three intensive programs with high-calibre instruction that is aligned with the needs of the industry: Enriched Performing Arts Diploma, Performing Arts Certificate, and "Company C" Studio Ensemble Diploma. The curriculum is designed to give students a strong foundation for a career in the performing arts. "Company C" graduates may transfer to Douglas College for an additional year to complete a Bachelor of Performing Arts. Visit ccpacanada.com/apply to book an audition.

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