At the 琉璃神社 Actors Studio, students dream of becoming artists living in the Big Apple.
And they鈥檙e making their dreams a reality by fundraising for a trip to New York, planning to attend workshops and delve into the experience.
One student is particularly interested in sampling the Big Apple.
Celeste Catena is graduating from the actors studio and was accepted into the Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program at Sheridan College in Ontario at the end of March.
The 17-year-old says it鈥檚 been a dream of hers since she was young to visit New York, and attends the actor鈥檚 studio while studying part-time at Okanagan Mission Secondary.
鈥淚t鈥檚 all about being in the atmosphere of New York. For a lot of us it鈥檚 where we want to end up and for me my end goal is to be a performer so it鈥檚 something to wrap up the year and give us the incentive and motivation that we need,鈥� she said. 鈥淭heatre鈥檚 been a huge part of my childhood, going to New York is such a dream of mine, I鈥檓 really looking forward to that. Just having the experience and to work with professionals and see where I might end up one day is the push I need.鈥�
Catena started dancing in 琉璃神社 at Reflections Dance Studio before she injured her leg.
She saw the silver lining to the event, however, when she found her singing voice. Singing turned to acting and since joining the studio a year ago she鈥檚 been learning as much as she can.
The self-proclaimed perfectionist says her struggle lies with acting, as she continues to gain confidence and overcome her own worst critic, herself.
鈥淚鈥檝e definitely grown a lot this year,鈥� she said, adding studio artistic director Randy Leslie has helped her overcome her challenges.
鈥淪he鈥檚 an amazing kid, she was picked out of 100 students,鈥� said Leslie.
As for the trip to New York, 鈥淚t really is about the educational component,鈥� said Leslie adding students will attend workshops with professionals to increase their abilities.
The students have been fundraising since September, so 鈥渢his is kind of like the last push for us,鈥� he said.
The trip will cost the 13 students, along with staff and chaperones around $35,000.
In the next few months, the studio will be holding fundraisers and performances in order to meet their goal.
Their next studio performance Spring Awakening will be held from May 11 to 13. Tickets can be purchased online through the .
, on June 13, gives audiences another chance to help fundraiser with a silent auction.
鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping to have a sold-out show,鈥� said Catena.
The public can also help fundraiser through a website called .
Purchasing gift cards through the website allows the actor鈥檚 studio to receive a percentage of the purchase. The purchaser does not lose money by purchasing gift cards. To help fundraise visit www.fundscrip.com/Sign-Up.aspx?IID=KAUNBP.
