Elena Rardon
Gazette staff
PORT MCNEILL—North Island students will be putting on a show tomorrow following a five-day musical theatre workshop from a guest instructor.
Joey Clarkson, at 24 years old, is already an award-winning singer/songwriter and has been teaching musical theatre for 10 years. Her knowledge and experience has taken her all over the world, teaching in the UAE, Ireland, and the UK, as well as Canada.
Originally from the Comox Valley, Clarkson has visited the North Island twice previously for one-day clinics. This year, she worked with the Gate House theatre to schedule a week-long workshop.
“Our mandate is to encourage the arts,” said Terry Eissfeldt, co-founder of the Gate House Community Society. “We’ve partnered with her before, and we’re excited to partner with her again.”
She worked with Clarkson to make an alternate arrangement around a school schedule, just in case kids went back to school before or during the week.
The workshop opened on Monday with more than twenty attendees of various ages, some of whom traveled from Port Hardy and Sointula. Clarkson started with a series of warm-ups, including tongue twisters and short songs to emphasize the importance of articulation and proper breathing. A “name game” worked as an ice-breaker, but also tested memorization. Her infectious enthusiasm and energy was mirrored by the students.
“My main focus is building self-confidence and self-worth on stage,” Clarkson said.
Script work began on the second day of the workshop and, with Clarkson’s instruction, students worked on putting together a short presentation featuring singing, acting and dancing.
The kid’s show tomorrow will take place before the 7 p.m. theatre showing of “How to Train Your Dragon 2.” Admission will be by donation.