Youth Mentorship Helping our Kids

We offer spots in our Youth Mentorship Program to children and teenagers completely free of charge.

Theatre – the way we do it – doesn’t just teach skills. We provide opportunities for new friendships, mentoring onstage and offstage and a warm family feeling. This mentorship opportunity helps kids overcome major social and emotional issues. Without this opportunity, these young people could be in more serious trouble or might head that way.

We not only provide a comprehensive mentorship program for kids and youth, our mentees are also able to actively participate in real live stage productions – truly an exiting experience!

In 2024/2025, we are progressing to add a trained Education Assistant to help us onstage and offstage. They will be at rehearsals and shows to help manage behaviours, answer questions and help learn acting/singing/dancing on the go. 

Please consider donating in any amount to support this ongoing program or watch for our fundraising projects and special performances announced here on our site.

Everyone is welcome!

If you are a parent or youth interested in this program – please feel free to contact us at any time – we are glad to welcome you!

What People are saying about our Mentorship Program...

Our children absolutely enjoyed every minute of their "Panto" experience. From the very beginning we were welcomed with open arms. We were impressed by the calibre of talent and professionalism by everyone involved. Our girls have learned so much about the process of putting on such a production, and it was truly wonderful to see their confidence blossoming and their eyes beaming while on stage. They have already stated they want to audition again next year and we are all looking forward to it!

Sharon Haasdyk
Proud Parent

The difference I have seen in Riley has been amazing. From a boy who was constantly in trouble at school, just for being a bit too much of a boy to becoming a focused, self-controlled young man has been a remarkable change. His 4 years spent under RCTC's tutelage coupled with his enjoyment of performing on stage has motivated such change in his life. Thank you, thank you, thank you. What you do changes lives. Riley is the kind of kid who could have easily ended up on the street. Now he is making big plans for his future because of the confidence he now has. Thank you so much for everything you and your team does.

Shara Nixon
Proud Parent

I'd like to say how appreciative my family is of the Royal Canadian Theatre Company. My daughter Sharron has been a cast member for the past three years. Before my daughter auditioned for her first year, she lacked confidence and self worth. I can't thank the RCTC enough for the opportunity that was given to her. In the past three years her transition into being a confident young lady has been inspiring and I believe that the friendship and mentoring of the people in the RCTC has had a major role in this. The RCTC brings positive influence to our youth and I hope that they will continue to be able to do performances for years to come. You guys work miracles and I'll be forever appreciative of what you've done for Sharron.

John and Hajnalka Szogi
Proud Parents

There is a sense in the Royal Canadian Theatre Company that differences do not exist. Since my daughter Kai and I have joined the cast, we have learned tremendously from the many experienced actors, choreographers, costume designers, and crew. Inexperienced cast and crew members are given a stake in the show, taught and encouraged to take ownership. Many parents work side by side with their own children. Last year, there were at least 5 families working together on and offstage from a variety of cultures. Parents and children have the unique experience of learning from each other. And where else could you see an Indo-Canadian Blue Fairy, a Philippina leading lady, an elderly Englishman, Japanese, European Canadian cast & crew members, people with disabilities, people of diverse sexual orientations, musicians, actors, techs, working together in a learning environment where new members are mentored and often in the driver's seat of their new learning experiences.

Jeremy Glass
Proud Parent

Aeron has grown up with this company as has her sister Cayleigh. Every year, at the end of summer break, the girls start asking When Panto is going to start. When they are going to see their "Panto Family" again. It is a joyous reunion with old friends full of hugs and laughter and new friends are brought into the fold with kindness and professionalism. I can truly say that this family has helped our girls grow into outgoing, confident, responsible and respectful young ladies. They have learned about commitment. And sometimes they've made mistakes. One year Aeron ruined the paint on a set piece and not by accident. She took responsibility for her actions with many tears and a great deal of trepidation. The production staff dealt with things fairly but also with compassion. She learned that her choices don't just affect her. And that being honest about things is a lot better and less scary than hiding what you've done. To have that kind of experience in a safe environment, with people who are willing to let you learn and make mistakes, without trying to beat you down, well that kind of atmosphere is hard to find.

The Elcheshen Family, Stephen, Kerri, Aeron, & Cayleigh
Proud Pantomime Family

It was such a great experience for Adira to (be) a part of the team and performing. Thank you all for the support and encouragement. (Adira) she enjoyed (the experience) greatly... It was very inviting atmosphere. Adira enjoyed performing in front of larger crowds many times with (the) cast. I see she didn’t feel nervous. (This was a) good confidence building (experience). Adira gained great experience from working with different age groups and more fast paced professional environment. She got great connections with all casts, crews and staff. This was her most favourite activity last year. She missed it already this morning.

Emi Higuchi & Paul Eigeldinger
Proud Parent
January 5, 2025

Our child had fun and felt safe in the welcoming environment RCTC provided. She loved getting to have a theatre and performance experience on that level for the first time with people who shared the same passion and who were kind... She loved it all. Her true calling is to be on the stage. It felt like that is where she belongs. She learned some great vocal exercises, dance moves and hype up exercises. Also she learned thank you- two, five, ten, fifteen, twenty and thirty. (I am told it is a theater thing.) Thank you for making (our Child) feel so welcome. It was an amazing experience for her. She came home from every rehearsal and performance soaring with joy and energy and talking non-stop. We loved seeing her light shine on stage and it made all the driving absolutely worth it. She already misses it and we are looking for opportunities to tie her over to September! We saw her grow in confidence, maturity and independence throughout the fall. I am so grateful for her to have been involved with a group where she truly felt she could be herself and was accepted. The shared love of theatre and performing was palpable.

JJ
Proud Parent
January 5, 2025