The Persephone Theatre unveiled its new drama school, thanks to a $25,000 donation from PotashCorp.

The school, which will cater to the starry-eyed dreams of both budding actors and professional artists, will host a number of courses, with the majority of them being offered in the fall.

“We’ve been working towards this for a really long time,” said William Brooks, Persephone’s youth program director.

“It’s the fulfillment of a dream and it’s going to do amazing things.”

Brooks said the school will not only act as a launching pad for future stage actors, but it will also serve to broaden the perspective of kids in the city.

“Getting kids involved in their community makes a difference to the future health of Saskatoon,” said Brooks, who was also joined by veteran drama coach Linda Lang.

Lang, who was an associate professor at the University of Regina before she retired last summer, said helping to mold young minds is something that gives her a lot of energy and gratification.

“I’m having a wonderful time with the six and seven-year-olds,” said Lang, who is also Persephone’s curriculum consultant.

Currently, the school is running a summer camp program for approximately 200 school-aged kids.

The camp is a preview of what’s to come in the fall when there will be spots for up to 600 participants in more than 10 classes, said Lang.

“We want to give children the opportunities to play with drama and theatre and to have fun.”

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