Juvenis Festival’s Youth Workshops

Learn, Create, and Be Inspired at the Juvenis Festival’s Free Youth Workshops
The Juvenis Festival has always been about more than putting on incredible performances. It’s about inspiring the next generation of artists, giving young people the opportunity to explore their creativity, build confidence, and discover new artistic passions.
As part of this year’s festival, Blue Canoe Theatre Productions is offering an exciting lineup of free workshops for anyone under the age of 30, covering everything from theatre and improv to music, animation, dance, writing, and backstage production. Whether you’re stepping into the arts for the very first time or looking to sharpen your skills, these welcoming sessions are designed for all experience levels.
The workshops begin on Friday, July 31, with Wild Words, Living Stories, led by Lisa Hamalainen at the Domino Theatre. Participants will use movement, sensory writing, and collaborative theatre-making to transform natural objects into original performances, discovering how inspiration can be found in the world around them.
Visual storytellers can unleash their creativity during Creating Your Own Flipbook on Saturday, August 1, where instructor Mavis Xu introduces the fundamentals of frame-by-frame animation. Participants will leave with their very own handmade flipbook and a new appreciation for the art of animation.
Musical theatre fans won’t want to miss Musical Theatre Jazz Technique with Charli Birdgenaw on Sunday, August 2. Blending jazz fundamentals with Broadway-style storytelling, this energetic class welcomes dancers of all skill levels and culminates in learning choreography to a surprise musical theatre favourite.
Later that same day, audiences can step behind the curtain during All the Magic Behind the Stage: A Backstage Tour of Charlie Brown. Led by Production Manager Jerall Li and Director Hailey Hatfield, this exclusive tour offers a fascinating look at the technical and creative work that brings You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown to life before Sunday’s matinee performance.
Aspiring technicians and music lovers can dive into Live Sound 101 on Tuesday, August 4, where Jason Zhao provides an accessible introduction to live audio production, explaining how sound systems, microphones, and mixing come together behind every successful performance.
If making people laugh is more your style, Bob Boughner’s “Yes, and…!” Better Storytelling Through Improv workshop on Wednesday, August 5 teaches the fundamentals of improvisation while encouraging participants to think quickly, collaborate, and create compelling stories completely on the spot.
Writers can discover their voice during Write Like You Mean It: A Crash Course on Playwriting & Dramaturgy with Giselle Castillejos on Thursday, August 6. Participants will explore how to develop characters, build dramatic scenes, and transform personal experiences into original scripts, regardless of previous writing experience.
The workshop series concludes on Saturday, August 8 with We Are “Ahead By a Century” – Group Singing, led by Jodie Compeau. Participants will come together to learn and harmonize on one of Canada’s most beloved songs by The Tragically Hip, creating a joyful musical experience that celebrates community through song.
One of the Juvenis Festival’s defining goals is making arts education accessible to everyone. By offering these workshops free of charge for youth under 30, the festival continues to nurture Kingston’s creative community while giving young artists opportunities to learn from experienced professionals in an encouraging, collaborative environment.
Whether your passion is acting, music, dance, writing, production, or simply trying something new, there’s a workshop waiting for you at this year’s Juvenis Festival.

Workshop Schedule
Friday, July 31
Wild Words, Living Stories: Creating Theatre From Nature 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Domino Theatre
Instructor: Lisa Hamalainen

Saturday, August 1
Creating Your Own Flipbook 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Blue Canoe Studio
Instructor: Mavis Xu

Sunday, August 2
Musical Theatre Jazz Technique
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Domino Theatre
Instructor: Charli Birdgenaw

All the Magic Behind the Stage: A Backstage Tour of Charlie Brown
11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Domino Theatre
Instructors: Jerall Li & Hailey Hatfield

Tuesday, August 4
Live Sound 101 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Domino Theatre
Instructor: Jason Zhao

Wednesday, August 5
“Yes, and…!” Better Storytelling Through Improv 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Domino Theatre
Instructor: Bob Boughner

Thursday, August 6
Write Like You Mean It: A Crash Course on Playwriting & Dramaturgy 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Domino Theatre
Instructor: Giselle Castillejos

Saturday, August 8
We Are “Ahead By a Century” Group Singing 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Blue Canoe Studio
Instructor: Jodie Compeau

Admission: All workshops are free for participants under 30 years of age.