Young People's Theatre/YPT: Parent Interview with Janet Bowring

Watch our Parent interview with Janet Bowring to hear firsthand what children experience and how they grow at Young People's Theatre/YPT.

Transcript of the interview

What’s unique about the program at Young People’s Theatre that made you want to enroll your children there?

Young People’s Theatre camp was an opportunity to explore another facet of their lives, in terms of not just playing sports but also learning how to express themselves in a different way other than through, say, art or music. We thought drama might be another way as well, just to get them familiar and more comfortable with their own movement and also communicating with other people.

It’s a different camp from all the regular camps that are out there in terms of athletics.

Was this your children’s first experience with camp?

They’ve been doing the weekend drama school at Young People’s Theatre since they were probably in Grade 1 or Grade 2. It’s been a weekly thing, not a one-week-at-a-time camp, and they love it.

Now it’s just a given. They anticipate that they’re going to be going back to do the fall, winter, and spring sessions, and it’s something that they look forward to doing now.

Was there any change or noticeable personal growth in your children after time at Young People’s Theatre camp?

They both agree that it really helps with building confidence. They say that Young People’s Theatre camp actually helps them feel confident with public speaking, so for school presentations and for being in situations where they might not know everybody.

It’s taught them how to read the room a bit and to learn how to listen and converse with people whom they might not be familiar with.

How can you as a parent support your child to get the most out of Young People’s Theatre camp?

I think the best thing we’ve done to support them in enjoying this camp is that we just let them experience it themselves. We’re not in the room with them. We see the final product at the end of each session, and they show us some of the exercises that they go through, but it’s their own unique experience.

We try not to pressure them to be the one who’s always participating because sometimes they’re not going to be the one who’s taking over and stealing the show. So for us, it was very much letting them experience it on their own, at their own comfort and at their own pace.

What do your children say about Young People’s Theatre camp, either to you or that you may have heard them say to friends or others?

First off, it’s fun. Second, they said the staff at Young People’s Theatre camp are wonderful. They’re friendly, they’re welcoming, and they create a safe space where it’s okay to be goofy, let your hair down, and just try and experiment.

They say it’s the best way to really gain confidence in terms of public speaking.

Any final thoughts about Young People’s Theatre camp?

It’s tapping into a part of your child’s personality that maybe you don’t even see at home. It’s a chance for them to figure out a way to express themselves freely with new people in a safe space.

It’s different from all the other ones. So it’s really great. I think that our kids are becoming better people because of it.