George Brown Theatre School
Encyclopedia
George Brown Theatre School is a drama school
and department of George Brown College
in Toronto
. Both schools are named after the Canadian
politician and journalist George Brown
.
In 2000 Paul Carder, the Dean of Business and Creative Arts at George Brown College, approached Albert Schultz, Artistic Director of Soulpepper, with the suggestion that a partnership be struck between Soulpepper and the George Brown Theatre School to create a new performance/education facility.
In November of 2001, the Distillery Historic District Project was announced and the partnership of George Brown College (GBC) and Soulpepper immediately began negotiations with the Cityscape Development group to take possession of Tank Houses 9 and 10 creating what would become the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.
The vision of this partnership was to create a performing arts, education and community outreach facility that would be home to George Brown Theatre School celebrated three-year professional actor training program and Toronto’s independent arts community. This facility, in which the performance and education of all performing disciplines would be undertaken, would be unique in the world.
In 2002, the architectural firm of Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects was hired to design the centre with Thomas Payne as the principal architect. The design created four flexible, dedicated, indoor performance venues, four studios, two classrooms, a wardrobe production facility, a student lounge, artist garden, and administration offices for GBC and Soulpepper. At the centre of the building is a welcoming atrium which includes a café/bar and fireplace. The total cost of the facility was $14 million and GBC and Soulpepper Theatre Company equally shared the cost. The shared dream became a reality in 2003, when David Young through the Michael Young Family Foundation contributed a lead gift of $3 million to what is now known as the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. The facility officially opened to the public on January 15, 2006.
Since that time more than 250,000 people have attended performances at the Young Centre, which has received numerous architectural and design awards.
One notable alumnus is Samantha Bee
.
Drama school
A drama school or theatre school is an undergraduate and/or graduate school or department at a college or university; or a free-standing institution ; which specialises in the pre-professional training in drama and theatre arts, such as acting, design and technical theatre, arts administration, and...
and department of George Brown College
George Brown College
George Brown College is a public, fully accredited college of applied arts and technology with three full campuses in downtown Toronto, Ontario...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. Both schools are named after the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician and journalist George Brown
George Brown (Canadian politician)
George Brown was a Scottish-born Canadian journalist, politician and one of the Fathers of Confederation...
.
In 2000 Paul Carder, the Dean of Business and Creative Arts at George Brown College, approached Albert Schultz, Artistic Director of Soulpepper, with the suggestion that a partnership be struck between Soulpepper and the George Brown Theatre School to create a new performance/education facility.
In November of 2001, the Distillery Historic District Project was announced and the partnership of George Brown College (GBC) and Soulpepper immediately began negotiations with the Cityscape Development group to take possession of Tank Houses 9 and 10 creating what would become the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.
The vision of this partnership was to create a performing arts, education and community outreach facility that would be home to George Brown Theatre School celebrated three-year professional actor training program and Toronto’s independent arts community. This facility, in which the performance and education of all performing disciplines would be undertaken, would be unique in the world.
In 2002, the architectural firm of Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects was hired to design the centre with Thomas Payne as the principal architect. The design created four flexible, dedicated, indoor performance venues, four studios, two classrooms, a wardrobe production facility, a student lounge, artist garden, and administration offices for GBC and Soulpepper. At the centre of the building is a welcoming atrium which includes a café/bar and fireplace. The total cost of the facility was $14 million and GBC and Soulpepper Theatre Company equally shared the cost. The shared dream became a reality in 2003, when David Young through the Michael Young Family Foundation contributed a lead gift of $3 million to what is now known as the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. The facility officially opened to the public on January 15, 2006.
Since that time more than 250,000 people have attended performances at the Young Centre, which has received numerous architectural and design awards.
One notable alumnus is Samantha Bee
Samantha Bee
Samantha Bee is a Canadian comedic actress and author best known as a cast member on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.-Early life:Bee was born in Toronto, Ontario into an unconventional family...
.