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 Objective
South Shore Summer Theatre is committed to providing young people with a unique, real-life learning opportunity while contributing to arts and culture in the community. The creation of professional-quality music theatre productions will also attract tourists to the area and help to promote the South Shore as a destination for arts and culture every summer. We are a non-profit youth theatre program in its inaugural year currently applying for charitable status.
Our Goals
We provide an enriching, supportive and cooperative environment for all participants that fosters inclusiveness, respect, responsibility, and creativity. The program includes young actors, singers and dancers, and a production team of theatre, music and dance professionals with decades of experience, along with volunteers, including parents and community members who help in the construction of sets and props, makeup, costumes, promotion and logistics.
“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.”