What We’ve Been Up To
As of September 2024, Kismet celebrated it’s 12th year! After the dark Covid years, and a small but exciting start to Kismet 2.0 in our new location in September 2023, we grew our program from 20 students in 2 10 weeks programs, and a successful 3 week summer camp where we created an entirely original play for teens, written with the teens. Owner/Director Bonnie Catterson Kent decided it was time to up the ante. So in September we welcomed 21 new Musical Theatre students, aged 6-16, in two separate 7 month programs that will culminate in a production of Rock of Ages (Senior Class) and the original Feel The 80’s- Never Too Young To Rock and Roll (Junior class) We also welcomed two new exceptional teachers, Laura Melissa Mudge, and Melissa Kahan. At Kismet, all of our faculty are of the highest professional calibre, with degrees from reputable theatre schools, and years of experience both as performers and instructors. We’ve definitely been making some magic in the past 5 months, and cannot wait to show you what we’ve been up to March 7/8 at the OV Arts Centre in our double header showcase! Tickets will go on sale in February. Stay tuned for NEW PROGRAMS after Spring Break, which will be all about the Art of Filmmaking. Our students will have the opportunity to make films from scratch, and then screen them for the community with a full on film festival, red carpet, and Popcorn Awards in June. We will also offer some summer camps in Improv, and Film- dates and times TBA.
In other news, Owner and Artistic Director Bonnie Catterson Kent won a 25 thousand dollar BC Arts Council grant, to create an original theatrical multi media production based on her lived experienced as a disabled artist. As someone who is chronically and sometimes critically ill, it is a vulnerable example of art imitating life, and would not be possible without a true collaboration. Bonnie is overjoyed to be working with local playwright and dramaturge/director Sean Enns, assistant director/stage manager and actor Miles Kehoe, as well as assistant stage manager Aarame Robillard and designer Laura Mudge. Last but not least, this piece would not be conceivable without Bonnie’s other half- the phenomenally talented musician, sometimes actor and full time carpenter and caregiver- husband, Andrew Kent. PIVOT is a theatre piece unlike anything produced before in this community. Working with an entire cast and crew who live with disability, and donating any additional funds earned from the show, to offer a free playwright and acting workshop for disabled youth, PIVOT is a social justice cry for the often invisible disabled community. The show will be presented in early May. Stay tuned for more details.
