Acting, singing and dancing are just the most obvious things being taught at Scarborough Village Community Centre on Wednesday afternoons. Even more important, says George Randolph, founder of the Randolph Academy, are the confidence and self-esteem being instilled at this Arts in the Hood program.
Most of the students taking part in the two-month Triple Threat classes are from John McCrae Senior Public School in this troubled east end community. “Ours is a pretty high-needs school,” confirms Vice Principal Marsha Yamamoto. “We’ve got a lot of at-risk kids so we’re looking for alternative ways to engage them in school life. If we can connect them to something they’re interested in within the community, then they’ll stay out of trouble. They’re also learning to work more cooperatively.”
That cooperation — not to mention lots of laughter and exercise — was very much on display last week as I took a seat on the sidelines. Randolph Academy instructors Ryan Whittal, Michael Hodgson and Stephanie Ramphos were by turns serious and silly as they put the kids through their paces. The goal is to stage a grand finale performance December 12 at Theatre Scarborough right next door, where friends and family will doubtless be beaming with pride.
“These kids really need to express themselves,” says Randolph, “and the arts are an amazing facilitator for that, be it singing, dancing or acting. They learn more about themselves and they also learn the importance of working together in an ensemble.”
During a break in the practice, instructor Ramphos expresses how moved she is by these young students “who give back to us double what we put in. We don’t know what goes on for them at home or at school but I’m sure that some of it is tough. Coming to these classes gives them a couple of hours to forget all that, to have some fun and learn some new skills.”
An offshoot of the original Live With Culture program, Arts in the Hood started in 2005 with a mandate to engage Toronto’s at-risk youth in arts and culture and to nurture the City’s next generation of artistic talent.
“As an educator I see that skills related to the performing arts are skills that can be transferred to any job,” says Yamamoto. “It boosts their confidence when speaking in public and that helps in many areas, including job interviews. I think it’s just fantastic!”
Photos by Christopher Jones
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This is an EXCELLENT program and in fact one of my former theatre professors I believe still teaches at Randolph Academy.
But I must say…seeing that I live 7 minutes from this exact location, I have to speak out against the stereotypical ‘labelling’ that is happening here. This is NOT a “hood.” In fact I actually live 3 minutes away–walking distance from John McCrae and there is no “hood” there with 2-3 car garage driveways, large backyards–not to mention the condominium I live in…
So I guess what I’m saying…why can’t we simply just say that there is a new AMAZING theatre program in Scarborough. There is no need to ghettoize a neighbourhood..one yes has its crimes (just like every other neighbourhood does:) but is mostly comprised of hard working people of colour like myself…my family…my friends who are simply taking life one day at a time being as happy and as welcoming as wel can be.
Jill Andrew– a Black female who has lived literally minutes away from this theatre venue for over 20 years.
Have a great day to all and to George Randolph…kudos to you for running what I am sure is an amazing program.
I adore the little girl and boy looking at each other in the third photo down. Time for little crushes too! :)