About Us
Find out about the inspirational SSST program and its goals and objectives.
“Research reveals that arts learning experiences can alter the attitudes of young people toward themselves and each other. Students involved in sustained theatre arts show gains not only in reading proficiency, but also in self-control, motivation, and empathy and tolerance for others. An arts experience can promote shared purpose and the team spirit.”
The Arts and Human Development (National Endowment for the Arts & U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
Our Objectives
South Shore Summer Theatre is dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible space where young performers can develop their talents, build confidence, and collaborate in a supportive environment. Through high-quality musical theatre productions, we aim to offer hands-on learning experiences led by industry professionals, ensuring that every participant gains valuable skills in acting, singing, and stagecraft. We are committed to breaking down financial and geographic barriers by welcoming all youth, regardless of their background or experience, and ensuring that cost is never a barrier to participation. By fostering a culture of mentorship, creativity, and teamwork, we strive to create an environment where young artists feel empowered to grow both on and off the stage.
Our Goals
As we continue to expand our reach, our goal is to bring high-quality musical theatre to broader audiences while maintaining our strong presence on the South Shore. With our upcoming production of All Shook Up at the Bella Rose Arts Centre in Halifax, we aim to provide more youth with the opportunity to perform in a professional setting, exposing them to larger audiences and new artistic challenges. We are committed to strengthening our partnerships with arts organizations, securing sustainable funding, and addressing transportation challenges to ensure that young people from rural communities can fully participate. Through community engagement initiatives, mentorship programs, and innovative fundraising efforts like our Bites and Broadway event, we will continue to build a thriving, supportive, and inspiring theatre community for years to come.
“Shane’s youth summer theatre program changed my life. It took a 16 year old kid with no direction and gave him purpose; a future, I wouldn’t be living out my dream without this program – I wouldn’t have even realized what my dream was. Summer theatre gave me a forever family and a safe place to really find myself. When I see someone I shared the stage with it’s different. We have a unique bond. We made the impossible possible, because that’s what it feels like starting with nothing and then two months later a show. We both remember opening night, that inexplicable mix of nausea, excitement and terror – “How did we get here!? Are we ready!? No, we’re not. YES WE ARE! I’m gonna throw up!” And we both remember closing night and the triumphant sorrow that comes with knowing you just did it, the impossible, for the last time and that it’s only made easier by telling everyone you see a thousand times, “I’LL SEE YOU NEXT SUMMER!” The fact that I start to cry just thinking about my last closing night tells you the effect my summer program had on me. I miss it. I wish I could go back. I wish I could sing one more song with my friends, dance one last number, have one more closing night. I can’t, but I carry the memory with me every time I step on a stage and every time I hear “action.” It defined my life and I am forever grateful to my forever family.”
Jim Watson, Theo, in CTV’s award-winning medical drama Transplant
Tamara Bernier Evans is a Canadian composer, actress, director, singer, writer and producer.
“South Shore Summer Theatre is founded and operated by the family of creators of a summer program I attended in North Bay, ON while growing up. I spent every summer from Grade 9 to 13 immersed in this program and, eventually, went on to pursue a career in theatre and film. My career took me to Toronto where I performed in Mirvish Productions’ War Horse and Mamma Mia to name a few and it eventually took me to New York (Broadway) and Los Angeles where I worked in a variety of blockbuster films. As someone who was exposed to theatre at an early age, I had an extensive experience to draw on thanks to this program. My confidence grew from those early days of working on stories, learning choreography, singing in harmony and building solid relationships with like-minded colleagues. Exposing your children to theatre in a fun and creative environment is a perfect way for them to fill their summers and contemplate their futures. Whether they end up pursuing careers in the arts or whether they just learn more about social interaction and developing friendships while honing their acting, singing and dancing skills, a program like this, with experienced and generous experts like Shane and Jerri is a privilege and will fill your kids with purpose and pride. Don’t hesitate.”