Algoma Public Health

Youth Engagement Theatre

What is Y.E.T.

Algoma Public Health's Youth Engagement Theatre (Y.E.T.) is a fun and exciting opportunity for high school students with an interest in the performing arts to improve their skills while working with a professional stage director. It is also beneficial for youth considering careers in education and health.

Through a combination of improvisation workshops and rehearsals, troupe members create entertaining and educational performances pieces based on relevant public health and social issues. Performers can choose to use drama, comedy, music, dance, and multi-media techniques to deliver public health messaging in an interactive "edu-tainment" format. In addition to local performances, Y.E.T. troupes also tour schools across the Algoma district from Wawa to Elliot Lake.

What will Youth Participants Gain?

Getting involved with APH's Youth Engagement Theatre benefits youth in a variety of ways:

Develop artistic abilities with the guidance of a professional actor, stage director and theatre instructor
Discover how to use creative talents to help youth achieve their goals
Build confidence
Enhance resumes
Increase leadership, problem solving and teamwork skills
Earn community service hours
Meet new people with common interests in a fun, supportive and creative environment
Make a difference by becoming a peer leader and promoting healthy lifestyles in their school and community

What is Expected of Y.E.T. Volunteer Peer Leader/Performers?

Y.E.T rehearses in the Algoma Public Health building at 294 Willow Avenue. The rehearsal schedule consists of two 90 minute rehearsals per week. The rehearsal schedule is designed by the student cast members to best accommodate their schedules (e.g. weekdays after school or later in the evening, and/or Saturday afternoons). All performances occur during school hours and peer leaders are responsible for maintaining their studies during absences from class.

Y.E.T. troupes perform two different interactive forum-style theatre presentations:

Rehearsing for Life examines the relationship between substance use and misuse, sexual health, self-esteem, and decision making and is presented annually to Grade 9 student audiences in December and April. The troupes tour the district high schools from Wawa to Elliot Lake as part of their spring itinerary.
Healthy Lives for 4's and 5's is a second show on substance use and misuse and positive assertiveness training and is performed for Grade 4 and Grade 5 students bi-annually, altering between local elementary schools and district elementary schools each year.

How Do Youth Get Involved in Y.E.T.?

Auditions for Algoma Public Health's Youth Engagement Theatre are conducted as a fun and informal 90 minute Improvisation Workshop featuring improv games similar to what you might see on the hit television show, "Whose Line Is It Anyways?" Registration is easy!

Check this website in Mid-September for audition information, or check the Y.E.T. Audition Workshop Schedule posted outside the high school Public Health Nurse's office each September.
Choose a workshop date and time that works best for your schedule.
Show up for an audition workshop and join in the fun to see if Y.E.T. is a good fit for you!

... or get more information by giving us a call at 705-942-4646 ext. 3060.

Date of Creation: June 1, 2015

Last Modified: June 1, 2015