Arts Umbrella’s exclusive Stagecraft program introduces young people to film, television and stage production.

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It takes a town to put on a show. With this in mind, Arts Umbrella has launched a new program that teaches the behind-the-scenes work that goes into film, television and theater production.

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Arts Umbrella’s Stagecraft is designed to prepare youth (ages 6-19) for positions in lighting, painting, set design and construction, and everything else related to making a theatrical experience. It is the only program of its kind in Western Canada.

“Students this age don’t necessarily know what this means. There is an opportunity for them to explore this side of theater and film,” said Paul Moniz de Sá of Arts Umbrella.

Arts Umbrella’s Stagecraft encompasses a session program for youth ages 6-19, a three-week summer intensive, and a year-long pre-professional program for teens. Because the organization also does productions, students will have the opportunity to mentor professionals.

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The school already had dance, media arts, theater, music and film classes, but moving into the old Emily Carr Building from its previous smaller location on Granville Island allowed Arts Umbrella to expand its programs.

“I feel like Stagecraft takes from all of those art forms,” said Moniz de Sá, artistic director of AU Theatre, Music and Film.

“If we are looking at scene painting, we are still learning about painting. There was a scene store here and we thought this was a perfect opportunity to explore that avenue. The same with the locker room. We didn’t really have a wardrobe class. Now the students learn about what the costume entails, why a certain fabric is chosen, and how it adds to the story.”

Classes started earlier this month and week-long half-day camps for children ages 6 to 12 were held over spring break. The skills students acquire in the program are transferable, says Moniz de Sá.

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“In recent years, the arts, especially theater, have been affected. But we are Hollywood North, and I am very proud of what Vancouver has done in the film industry. We made some changes to the way things were done and were able to produce quality work here. When we look at the art of production, we can see it from a cinematographic perspective and also from a theatrical perspective.”

Along with AD for the last 12 years at AU, Moniz de Sá is an actor, director and sound designer. He has worked on the series The Good Doctor and Yellowjackets, among others, and teaches a drama class at AU.

“One of the things that has always attracted me as an artist within the realm of theater and film and television is that it is a collaborative art form,” he said. “It’s important for my students to understand what the designer is doing, how the lighting, the sound, the costumes, the set, even the props, help tell that story. It’s important for an actor to understand that it’s not just them, but everyone is playing their part in creating this world.”

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While some kids may be interested in theater or the film and television industry, not all of them want to be in front of the camera. For those enthusiasts, Stagecraft is an opportunity to explore other avenues.

“There is a magic that happens in the theater and in the cinema,” said Moniz de Sá. “Not everyone is comfortable on stage, but they still want to be a part of that magic. When I started out as a sound designer in theater, it was important but lower down the list of needs. That has changed as sound designers have shown the kind of impact sound can have on a play. Something similar happens with projection design. For a set designer or lighting designer, there are so many things that they share on stage that are part of it and contribute to the magic of theater, film and storytelling.”

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