Herbie Barnes knows how difficult it can be to follow a performing arts dream as a marginalized youth, and is determined to do something about it as the new artistic director of Toronto’s Young People’s Theatre.
“I grew up in Jane and Finch. I m First Nations. I d love to be able to explore how we can get it into communities that can t afford (it) or are hard to reach because of that,” Barnes said in an interview after being named to the role last week.
“I was that marginalized kid growing up in that neighbourhood who couldn t afford to come down to Young People s Theatre,” said Barnes, who has been involved in theatre aimed at youth audiences throughout a 30-year career that included playing Bilbo Baggins in a Manitoba Theatre for Young People production of
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Herbie Barnes began his association with the Young Peopleâs Theatre in Toronto as a child, sitting in the audience.
He later became an actor, a playwright and a director at the theatre. Now, the Manitoulin Island native will become its next artistic director.
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Jenine Krause and David Scandiffio, co-chairs of the Young Peopleâs Theatre (YPT) board of directors, announced his appointment this week.
âOver the past year, our search committee interviewed candidates from across Canada for one of this countryâs most unique artistic leadership roles,â Krause and Scandiffio said in a joint statement. âWe are thrilled that Herbie, one of the theatre communityâs most eclectic and beloved artists, will carry YPT forward into a very bright future.
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