Theatre company a success by any standard

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"I heard a conversation recently," shared Kennetch Charlette. "Someone asked 'How do you measure success?' An Elder responded 'Success is measured not by how much money you have or how much power you have, but by how much you can help your people.' I try to keep that in my mind."

Charlette is the artistic director of the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company (SNTC), and though his drama troupe can be considered a success by any criteria, by his own measuring stick it is regarded as a blockbuster.

Not only is the SNTC a theatre group whose meaningful, moving plays regularly draw gushing praise from reviewers and patrons alike, it is also a cultural initiative that reaches out to at-risk youth and offers them another path away from the self-destructive lifestyle all too prevalent among Saskatchewan's young Aboriginal population.

For most, drama is merely a diversion. For Charlette and Donna Heimbecker, his partner in business and in life, drama is a tool of communication, education, expression and healing.

This philosophy has guided the SNTC since its founding in January 1999. Recognizing a void in the province's performing arts community, Charlette and Heimbecker took it upon themselves to begin a drama program devoted exclusively to identifying and nurturing young Aboriginal talent.

"The company is the result of discussions between like-minded artists, between professionals within the performing arts community. Our first project was the design and development of the Circle of Voices Aboriginal Youth Theatre Program," explained Heimbecker.

Circle of Voices was, and still remains, foremost among the SNTC's initiatives. The program recruits interested youth from Saskatoon and the surrounding area, immerses them in intensive theatrical training, and culminates in the production of a full-length play, which is then presented in Saskatoon and toured throughout the province.

"For the first program we took in 20 youth, and we brought in industry professionals who shared their skills, knowledge and experience through workshops," said Heimbecker, the SNTC's general manager.

"In the workshop-based training, participants receive classes in acting, directing, writing, costume design, lighting, set design, and it all works toward a production," added Charlette. "We then perform in community halls, band halls, school gymnasiums, arenas, wherever communities want us to be. We respond to requests from communities. That's what it's all about."

In bringing theatre to the province's scattered towns and reserves, the SNTC is not only developing performers, but also a broad and enthusiastic audience base.

"A lot of the communities we go into have never seen live theatre," said Heimbecker. "We've now developed quite an extensive touring network- people wait for the next production. We're really on to something here."

"Of the senior artists that perform in Canada, a major percentage of them come from Saskatchewan, believe it or not," said Charlette, returning to the topic most close to his heart. "They have all this expertise, skill and experience, and they hold it within themselves and say, 'If we're going to be responsible artists, we've got to pass that expertise on and show these kids that yes, they too can do it.'"

"Because they came from the same background," added Heimbecker. "As Aboriginal people, it's a struggle. There are barriers, there are issues of colonialism, issues of racism, all these barriers that Aboriginals have to overcome to develop a strong sense of identity and be proud of who they are. These experienced professionals recognize the responsibility they have. It's not about yourself, it's about helping your people, about helping the young people get out of the place they're in and become what they want to be."

"You give them a little pride and they will blossom. You give them a voice and they will express themselves. You give them skills and the tools to work with, and watch them fly," Charlette reflects. "ight within our culture, at its very essence, it talks about how Elders pass along their knowledge. The arts is no different."

The dedication and passion Charlette and Heimbecker feel shines through in all of the SNTC's projects. In addition to the annual Circle of Voices, the company also stages one professional production a year, runs a summer day-camp program for eight to 17-year-olds, mounts a production for Saskatoon's annual Fringe Theatre Festival, and holds ongoing workshops throughout the year for schools and special events. And even with all this on their plate, Charlette and Heimbecker are still enthusiastically pursuing further expansion.

"We need to really develop our infrastructure on a larger scale now because of the incredible growth of the company," said Charlette.

"It is difficult," agreed Heimbecker, "but the funders, like the Canada Council for the Arts and the Saskatchewan Arts Board, are now recognizing what we're doing as a viable program. People don't realize the potential that theatre has as a business opportunity and a development tool for youth and culture."

That may presently be true, but through the hard work and continued success of the SNTC, more people are being won over with every new play and every new day.