Theatre Collingwood summer time university student tickled by Leacock award acquire

Theatre Collingwood’s summertime student spent the previous handful of months serving to to make sure carrying out arts productions ran smoothly and she also gained a spotlight for herself. 

For this week’s version of People of Collingwood we spoke with Sylvie Potje, 18, Theatre Collingwood summer months university student and 2023 winner of the Stephen Leacock University student Humorous Short Tale Competition.

Q: Exactly where did you increase up?

A: I grew up in Barrie. My grandparents have lived in Wasaga Seashore for decades. In 2020, we inherited their spot. Due to the fact then, we have been living there every single weekend and fundamentally the entire summer season.

I didn’t genuinely occur to Collingwood really generally whilst I have been heading up there considering that I was minor.

I graduated from Bear Creek Secondary School in June 2022, but I took an added semester. I have been off due to the fact February, which is why I’ve experienced all these prospects in the community, and received this summer time job.

Right up until this job, I did not definitely get to see Collingwood.

When I arrived, it was stunning. I cherished it.

Q: Can you inform me a minimal bit about the position?

A: I did a great deal of theatre in Barrie, typically with Kempenfelt Local community Players. I began executing demonstrates with them when I was in Grade 7 each on and off-phase. I liked theatre.

This spring, I was looking for a summertime position, and was looking to get included in theatre. I was seeking for points in close proximity to Collingwood or Wasaga Seaside.

I, miraculously, was able to come across each. I was pretty fired up about that.

The career was as a output assistant with Theatre Collingwood. It was generally helping out at displays and a tiny bit of administration perform.

I’m truly very pleased of the Porchside Competition we experienced during July. I was entrance-of-property manager for most of individuals reveals. I would co-ordinate the volunteers, test tickets, I would MC. It was a huge job that took up most of July.

In August, I’ve been accomplishing far more office environment get the job done. I wrote a 55-site report about the Porchside Festival with notes from just about every one show, and I’m happy of how that turned out.

Q: What can make you intrigued in theatre?

A: I adore performing it. I always cherished singing and performing in typical. It’s about the workforce you’re with. I have created a good deal of pals by theatre and experienced fantastic experiences.

It’s not even about remaining on stage, it’s about the method top up to it.

Q: Did you learn just about anything this summertime in the course of your operate with Theatre Collingwood that you consider will provide you going forward in existence?

A: I was under no circumstances self-assured right before answering the cell phone, but right after executing it 20 moments a working day, I can now. Basic office environment skills, you can just take for granted, but wherever is a technology like mine meant to discover all those things?

Past that, I also acquired interpersonal skills like greeting buyers.

Q: You ended up just lately named the 2023 winner of the Stephen Leacock Pupil Humorous Brief Tale Competitors. Can you tell me about your story?

A: I entered the contest 3 years in the past in 2020. They cancelled it owing to COVID-19. The subsequent 12 months, I submitted yet again and I acquired shortlisted. With that, I wasn’t invited to the gala but I ended up with tickets. I saw the college students who gained that year looking through their tales.

It appeared seriously enjoyment. So I tried out seriously challenging this year.

My tale is identified as The Elephant in the Place(ba). It’s about a good vacuum my spouse and children owns and how it hates my canine with a enthusiasm. The story starts with the doggy at the prime of the stairs, and the vacuum at the base acquiring just fallen down. You really don’t know if the pet dog pushed the robotic or if the robotic fell on its possess. It builds to that instant.

Q: How did you really feel when you identified out you gained?

A: I was a minimal bit shocked. I understood I attempted my finest on it and I was quite very pleased of my composing. I was really hoping for third or next so I would get the chance to go to the gala and browse in entrance of the authors.

Q: What are your long term ideas?

A: I’m heading to the University of Waterloo in the drop in a application named understanding integration. It’s a special interdisciplinary plan that combines art and science. I’ll be ready to wet my feet in all the distinct departments.

It is important to me that I uncover a job that I enjoy. I’ve been working really hard to determine out what that would be. My volunteering and employment have gravitated toward theatre and the arts and I seriously enjoy it.

This position has shown me how it’s attainable to not be on the phase but nevertheless engage in a huge function in offering performances for audiences. I could see myself as a teacher, or heading into theatre administration, or crafting, or modifying.

Q: Do you have other hobbies outdoors of theatre?

A: I do a lot of music. I played in band all via superior faculty, participating in trumpet and other brass devices. I perform piano. In my final calendar year of substantial college, I labored with four buddies to develop an original musical we set on at the university. It was called The Clearly show Won’t Go On and I directed it. It was spurred by our principal’s choice to suspend the college musical.

Q: Is there just about anything else you’d like individuals in Collingwood to know about you?

A: I have been invited to work with Theatre Collingwood once again upcoming summer time. If everything traces up, I would like to come again.

I loved my experiences right here. I genuinely hope I will be back again in Collingwood following calendar year.

For our aspect Individuals of Collingwood, we speak with fascinating men and women who are possibly from or are contributing to the Collingwood neighborhood in some way, allowing them explain to their very own tales in their very own text. This attribute operates on CollingwoodToday each individual weekend. If you’d like to nominate or propose someone to be highlighted in People of Collingwood, electronic mail [email protected].