The Belfry Theatre Society has embarked on a journey to enhance the relationship among the theatre, Indigenous artists and members the community with the launch of its聽new Indigenous exchange program.
In partnership with Full Circle: First Nations Performance, the society is looking to support graduates of the First Nations Aboriginal Ensemble to join the Belfry Theatre as paid associates.
鈥淲hile the numbers are growing, Indigenous representation in theatre is still fairly lacking,鈥� said Ivan Habel, executive director for the society. 鈥淥ur hope is that we can start a conversation about including more Indigenous artists and their works in the performing arts.鈥�
The program will offer associates residencies at the theatre company, so individuals can gain experience 鈥� and receive mentorship 鈥� in areas of stage performance, design, construction or administration.
The project has resulted in the creation of a new Indigenous cultural adviser position.
鈥淢y new role is to build connections between the theatre and the Indigenous arts community,鈥� said Kristy Charlie, from WS脕NEC territory on the Saanich Peninsula and the village of Tseycum First Nation. 鈥淚t is an opportunity for both parties to learn from each other.鈥�
In her role as a cultural adviser, she has already provided cultural-competency training to staff, making them aware of Indigenous practices and how they pertain to theatre.
The position is unique among theatre companies in sa国际传媒.
鈥淚t is perhaps the first in sa国际传媒,鈥� said Charlie, a graduate of Camosun College鈥檚 Indigenous Business Leadership program.
Charlie will serve as the liaison between the theatre and Indigenous guest artists, and provide support for participants in the Indigenous exchange program.
Word of the program has spread, and expressions of interest have come from performing arts groups from across the country.
Funding for the program was聽provided by the Victoria Foundation.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 stress how appreciative we are of the support of the Victoria Foundation for this program,鈥� Habel said.
鈥淭his was our critical start-up year. We couldn鈥檛 have gotten to this stage of the program without the level of support they extended.鈥�
For more information, go to belfry.bc.ca.
