Artist-in-residence helps YRHS students

For two weeks drama students at Yorkton Regional High School were given a new vision of things thanks to having four artists in residence visiting the school.

"I've been working on this project about home," said Shannon Litzenberger, who grew up in the Melville area. " I've been doing a lot of exploration on the topic, a lot of research."

That is where writer Lindsay Zier-Vogel became involved.

"She's helping capture my stories," said Litzenberger.

The project will become a contemporary dance with the help of choreographer Marie-Josée Chartier.

Litzenberger said she was looking for stage space to bring her project to conclusion, and the Anne Portnuff Theatre was ideal. So she put together a proposal to use the facility, and do some students workshops.

"Having it here at the high school is great to explore some ideas with students as well," she said.

Litzenberger was able to access funding through ArtsSmarts to make it all come together.

With the four artists involved it allows "working on this on a very multi-disciplinary way."

Jeff Mallory is doing the video aspect of the training, including an impromptu video blog with students.

"It gives them a voice," he said, adding it is something students have immediately embraced. "They all say they've never had a chance to talk," he said.

With a chance to talk "they offer up everything," he said. "They're too young to have a filter on what they say." As a result there is an honestly displayed on topics ranging from family moves to divorce. Litzenberger said it is reflective of the changing way of Prairie life, where Canada has evolved over the years from largely agrarian to now being largely urban-based.

The process being undertaken by students ranges from writing memories of home, to bringing those memories to life on stage, some of which will be part of a public performance Thursday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. at the APT.

Students were finding the inter-disciplinary approach a new one in terms of their drama classes.

"It's definitely a different approach, something I'm really not used to," said Grade 11 student Karliegh Gelowitz. "I'm excited to see what the final product of all this will be."

Fred Slater, also in Grade 11, agreed the process was new for him.

"I think it's very different," he said, adding in regular classes they tend to follow a script, while the visiting instructors have them "doing a lot of improv stuff."

Slater said having three different instructors, each focusing on a different aspect of drams, one writing, one stage and another of video, certainly gave a deeper look at the process as well.

Grade 11 student Dylan Potter said the process is a bit intimidating.

"I'm not used to talking to professional people," he said, adding that they do bring new ways of doing thing to class.

The professional background means they approach drama with their unique perspective offered Grade 10 student Andrew Linsley.

"It's different from other training I've had with different drama companies," he said. "They have different methods."

Linsley said while the methods are similar to those he had heard of, working with them is a new experience.

The free-form aspect is a big difference because it is so different from the more structured process "that we usually do," he said.

Hailey Thirsk, also in Grade 10, liked the freeform.

"It's a lot better than just reading out of a book," she said.

Gelowitz said the reflection on home was interesting for her since she has moved repeatedly.

"Just looking back and trying to establish that home was interesting," she said, adding it's something most high school students don't do on a regular basis.

"It makes you remember the people you grew up with," she said, adding having moved often "it kind of makes you miss them."

Slater said the reflection was an interesting aspect of the process, "thinking about what you have and what is important to you.

"You don't really think about that stuff."

In spite of her young age Thirsk said looking back showed her where things might have been different.

"I can see a lot of things I could have changed, could have done differently," she said. In looking back on her life in class "it brings up memories that just showed up, that I didn't know I still had."

Litzenberger said seeing what students recall of home has been enlightening.

"It's been amazing learning of the students experiences," she said. By having students reflect on their lives they begin to "share things about home."

It's a case of home being quite diverse for students. She said when you hear a student say she has moved more times than she is years old it really illustrates home is not something you just take for granted.

It also shows that there is a difference between a house and home, said Litzenberger.

Litzenberger said while she hears similarities with her own investigation of home, students come at it from a point where they are still 'at home'.

"I didn't really identify what was unique about Saskatchewan until I broadened the lens," she said, explaining having moved away from the province gave her a different view when looking back.

At the same time the students' "reality is the things that really have influenced on their perception of home," she said.

In that regard "some students are remarkably insightful and self-aware," said Mallory.

As an example Litzenberger said one student commented a house is for belongings, while a home is where you belong.

Zier-Vogel said she saw the insight in the writings.

"I'm really surprised with the depth and insight they displayed in their pieces," she said.

Gelowitz said she prefers the stage.

"I've always sort of been the centre of attention." she said, adding she likes the opportunity to express things on stage, with the hope it interests others.

Linsley too prefers being a performer.

"I like making it up on stage," he said.

Thirsk too likes the stage, calling it a form of escapism.

"I like pretending to be somebody else," she said.

Potter prefers to write.

"I freeze up on stage," he said.

While the structure is different, the students said it is one they would hope to see repeated in future years.

"I'd want it back," said Linsley. "It's different from what I'm used to But, I'd definitely recommend it."

Thirsk said having a professional involved in teaching has to be a plus, because they show the options associated with drama.