YPT to Welcome Syrian Refugees to Toronto with Complimentary Tickets

Young People's Theatre (YPT) has announced its participation in the Welcome to the Arts initiative, which aims to connect Syrian refugees with the Canadian artistic community. Thanks to the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and Sun Life Financial, YPT is now able to provide Syrian newcomer families with access to complimentary show tickets throughout their 2016/17 Season.

"The arts provide a wonderful introduction to Canadian culture and its rich diversity. At YPT, our 2016/17 playbill is exploring the notion that "no one is alone" - the belief that we must all take responsibility for the world around us, for ourselves, our family and friends and our communities. Each play will look at the different aspects of inter-connectedness - to the natural world; to heritage and history; and to our own health and well-being. It's a fitting theme for this important initiative." - Allen MacInnis, Artistic Director & Nancy Webster, Executive Director, YPT

YPT has posted information on the Welcome to the Arts program in both English and Arabic on their website, in a section dedicated to this initiative. It also includes an online ticket request form in both languages to make tickets accessible with relative ease.

Newcomer service agencies assisting Syrian families who have recently arrived in Toronto are invited to contact YPT at 416.363.5131 x230 regarding group bookings and programming. Newcomers are encouraged to call YPT directly at 416.363.5131 x204 where a voicemail box has been established to field messages in Arabic and in English. Arabic-speaking people should simply key in the extension number when they first hear the English language greeting.

Young People's Theatre will have a team of bilingual Volunteer Greeters on site to meet families and provide assistance throughout their visit. Thecompany is seeking other volunteers for this function and encourages people age 14 and over who speak both English and Arabic to click here for more information.

YPT's involvement with Syrian newcomers began this spring when they ran weekly drama workshops at a NorthYork hotel where a number of newcomers were temporarily housed. That experience led to working with H.appi Camper, a program created to helpintegrate Syrian refugee children into Canadian communities while improvingliteracy, English language skills and quality of life. YPT provided theatrical workshops throughout the four-week camp with an emphasis on community building, creation skills and empowerment. Each workshop was designed to introduce specific performance skills, while allowing the children to create and tell their own original stories.

There are eight productions available for the Welcome to the Arts initiative in YPT's 2016/17 Season. The first begins September 22 with the return of the hugely popular show for babies, One Thing Leads to Another (ideal for ages 3 to 12 months but suitable for up to 24 months). YPT's season will run until May 14, 2017.

For more information, visit youngpeoplestheatre.ca. Syrian newcomers can click here for a list of other participating arts organizations.

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