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Update, March 2023

Rainbow Stage has decided to cancel the 2023 Musical Theatre Conference for Students. We thank you all for your understanding and support of this event, and look forward to seeing you in May 2024 for the exciting return of the Musical Theatre Conference for Students!

 

Musical Theatre Conference

Annually at Kildonan Park, Rainbow Stage hosts the Musical Theatre Conference For Students. Geared towards middle and high school aged students, attendees will choose and participate in four of eight unique sessions that cover fundamental aspects of “putting on a show”. Attending students also receive a voucher for a free ticket to a summer production for that year! 

The Musical Theatre Conference For Students introduces participants to a wide variety of departments that all work together to produce a musical. Each year has a specific and new theme.  From design and prop building, to choreography, acting and singing; participants are given insights and resources pertaining to each department’s role, professional process, tricks of the trade and career opportunities. 

The Musical Theatre Conference takes place annually in the Spring at Rainbow Stage in Kildonan Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty 1 Territory.

This program was created to connect with high school and middle school students across the city and beyond. The purpose of the Musical Theatre Conference is to cultivate and educate future patrons of the arts, to teach concrete creative and trades skills, and to promote awareness of the opportunities that a career in the arts can present.

This program is generously supported by Canada Life and private donations. To help us grow this program, DONATE HERE.

This Year

Rainbow Stage has decided to cancel the 2023 Musical Theatre Conference for Students. We thank you all for your understanding and support of this event and look forward to seeing you in May 2024 for the exciting and long anticipated return of the Musical Theatre Conference for Students!


Conference Sessions

Click sessions to learn more

1. SONGWRITING
We believe that everyone can write a song, and this workshop will teach you how!  On our own, the thought of crafting an original song can seem intimidating, but in this workshop students will work together as a group to brainstorm ideas and pen the next ground-breaking hit single! While exploring important songwriting elements such as form, style, genre and rhythm, students will have a blast exchanging ideas in a fun, accepting environment and learning how their zaniest suggestions can lead to the creation of a hit tune!
2. FOLLOW MY LEAD (Improv)
In this acting session students will learn how to become a better actor through listening and reacting to their scene partner. Drawing from the basic  principles of Improvisation, Clown and Commedia Dell’ Arte participants will experience the  meaning of ‘acting is reacting’ and ‘never say no’ in a silly and safe atmosphere. Develop your creative voice by learning how to listen harder, react quicker and start letting go of trying to control the circumstances. Ready, set, GO!
3. PRINCIPLES OF PAINT
In this all-new session, students will learn and apply the basic tools and techniques that painters use to create stage environments to breathtaking effect. Join us and dive into the role that scenic painters play in creating a musical and some of ways that they use texture, colour and dimension to bring a set designer’s idea to fruition. Through a fun partner exercise students will have the chance to put these tools and techniques to paper to bring their own scenic designs to life!
Design elements and put it under a miniature lighting station at the end to see how it all turned out!
4. MAKE-UP MY FACE
How to work with your make-up in a musical is an art form unto itself. Whether the story takes place in a certain time period, or it draws on certain character archetypes, make-up is a crucial element that helps transport the audience and suspend disbelief.  In this session students will partner up to learn about different tools, techniques and tricks-of-the-trade through a fun exercise that allows students to create their own characters and explores the multitude of ways make-up can help express the character and create that perfect ‘look’ for a show.  nt!
5. HOW TO SUCCEED IN MARKETING
You have decided to put on an event, but how do you ensure that people will come to it? You’ve created a new invention, but how do you make sure people will buy it? From designing a logo, creating the perfect tag line, to figuring out how to zero in on your target audience, a clear and creative communications plan is the secret to making sure that your event or product is a success.  Join us and get those marketing wheels whirling!
6. THE UNSPOKEN STORY (Movement)
You can learn the formations, rhythms and timings to a dance routine, but is that it? On the contrary, that’s just were the work begins for a musical theatre artist who wants to perform choreography that tells a story. In this workshop students will learn that communicating story and character through movement is so much more than simply nailing the choreography. Through text analysis and without speaking, groups of students will use elements of dance technique to create an original movement score that tells a clear story with a beginning, middle and end. It’s time to look past the steps and let the story inform the movement!
7. SCENE SCULPTURE
We all have our favorite plays, but how did the playwright take their original idea and turn it into a full-length script? In this how-to class we will explore the basic elements of playwriting, including structure, dialogue, setting, characters, obstacles and plot. Collaborating with a partner, students will do a fun writing exercise where they can explore their creative voice let set their inner playwright free! ce!
8. INTO THE WARDROBE
When designing costumes for a show, the designer has much to consider: Who are the characters and what is their relationship to one another? What colour is the set? How much movement does the choreography require? These are just some of the questions that every costume designer considers when designing costumes for a production. In this workshop, using costume pieces and props students will work together to invent new characters and create a fully realized costume design to bring them to life.

 

How To Register

Step One

Download the PDF registration form, fill it out completely and email it to our Education Developer, Jacqueline Harding at education@rainbowstage.ca

Step Two

You will receive an email from Jacqueline Harding, acknowledging receipt of your registration form and invoice (if required). Your spot(s) will be reserved at this time. If a credit card number has not been provided on the form, directions will then be given to you on how to submit your payment.

Step Three

Upon confirmation of payment, you will be notified that your registration is complete and your spot(s) are confirmed.

PLEASE NOTE:

Sending in your registration form does not guarantee your spot(s) at the conference. We will reserve your spot(s) until April 13th, 2020. If we have not received payment by this date, your spot(s) will be made available to those on the waiting list.
The conference often sells out well in advance. To guarantee your spot(s), send in your registration form and payment at your earliest convenience.

 

Is there free parking available?

Yes, there is free parking on Kildonan Park roads adjacent to the theatre and in the main parking lot in Kildonan Park. Teachers and students are not permitted to park in the Rainbow Stage staff parking lot.

When do we arrive and where do we go?

Please arrive between 8:00-8:45am and follow signage to sit in the main auditorium. Welcome announcements will be at 8:50 and the first conference session will start at 9:00am.

Should students bring a lunch? Will the concessions be open?

The concessions stands in Rainbow Stage are not open at this time of year. Students and teachers are encouraged to bring their own lunch as the lunch break is only 45 mins.

Is there water available?

Yes. There are coolers with large water jugs placed around the facility for the event. Those attending are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle.

Who is teaching the sessions?

Instructors and Assistants are not engaged until early spring. All Instructors are established and professional teaching artists and Assistants are experienced and professional emerging artists. The majority of the faculty is comprised of Rainbow Stage working professionals and alumni. A complete faculty list will be posted on the Conference webpages upon full confirmation.

How long are the sessions and what happens in them?

Each session is 1 hour. Click on the session description tab to get an overview of each of this year’s sessions.

What do we need to bring?

Please bring a notebook, a lunch and a water bottle. Rainbow Stage is an indoor /outdoor venue, so the weather is definitely a factor. Please check the weather forecast before you come and plan appropriately. Having a few light layers of clothing is a good idea as session areas vary in climate. Comfortable footwear is a must as many areas around the building are concrete. Open toed shoes and sandals are not allowed in back stage areas and are uncomfortable to wear at Rainbow Stage.

Am I allowed to take photos or videos?

Rainbow Stage has a respectful social media policy, which will be shared upon registration and posted around the venue. Picture and video taking is allowable but Rainbow Stage reserves the right to ask individuals to refrain if they are in violation of the policy.

How do I register and pay?

Please go to the how to register section for the Conference registration and payment process. The conference often sells out well in advance. Register today and pay at your earliest convenience to guarantee your spot at the conference.

What is your refund policy?

Refunds are not available for this program.

What if it’s raining, is the event cancelled?

No. The event will not be cancelled due to rain or cold weather. There is a contingency plan for rain and most areas are covered.

How Would I Express Interest In Teaching At The Musical Theatre Conference?

Email us at education@rainbowstage.ca to express your interest!

Rainbow Stage is committed to promote equal engagement opportunities by inclusive casting of artists who self-identify as diverse in roles where ethnicity, gender, age, the presence or absence of a disability, or any other ground of discrimination prohibited by law, is not prescribed

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR 2019 MUSICAL THEATRE CONFERENCE SPONSOR WHO HELP MAKE THESE EVENTS POSSIBLE

Canada Life