By Pheonix Collver and Albert Lightstone
“Their manners are more gentle, kind, than of our generation you shall find.” – William Shakespeare, The Tempest
As we are now in our 110th season, it’s obvious that our current roster of volunteers is not the same as that of 1913. We are so fortunate that a new generation of youth is interested in the arts, whether it be theatre or visual media, and we are always thrilled when they approach us to volunteer with the OLT. It’s always extra special when they do so in collaboration with a parent or guardian, enabling one generation to pass on the mantle to the next.
During the run of The Book of Will, we have not one, but five young people displaying their artistic skills. In this week’s blog we are highlighting the work of Pheonix Collver whose nana is Helen Miller. Helen Miller worked on a remarkable 32 productions between 2003 and 2016. She has been involved with wardrobe, property design, book prompting and Assistant to the Director.
Where do you go to school? Where do you work?
I go to school at TR Leger Kemptville campus and I work part time on a family-owned farm. Right now, I’m just focusing on getting through high school but in the future, I want to work with animals and continue to do art.
How are you associated with the theatre?
My nana, Helen Miller (pictured above) used to volunteer at OLT as an assistant director and helping out backstage, so I came with her a couple times. I’ve always loved theatre and would have loved to go to an OLT summer camp, but COVID happened.
(Pheonix is referring to a camp program which successfully ran through the summers. Sadly as a result of COVID it was closed down, and now that our season runs during the summer months, it will more than likely not return.)
How did you get into art?
I’ve always been into art; I loved colouring and painting when I was young and my parents and family were always happy to let me indulge in it.
What type of art do you do?
I do all kinds of different art. Colouring, diamond painting, beading, string art, canvas painting, and photography are my main art forms. I would also love to get into bracelet/accessory-making and drawing.
What is your favourite piece on display? Why? Is there a background story behind it?
My favourite piece on display is my animal photography collage because animals are a big part of my life and I am very passionate about them. All but two of the photographs in the collage are from places where I either work or spend a lot of my time. The two with wire in the pictures are from Saunders Country Critters Farm, the one with the cow and mule is from my work, and the two of the reptiles are from a pet store in Kemptville where I spend a great deal of my time.
What is the next step in your art career?
My next step for my art is likely to be setting up an online shop. I’d love to make creating art a full-time job and I think this would be the next logical step.
What do you think of the OLT?
I think the OLT is awesome, it’s a very friendly community and everyone I have met is lovely.
Have you ever done any work at the OLT?
I haven’t done any work with OLT yet but I’d love to when I’m older and have more time available, and when I live closer to the theatre than I do now.
Thank you Pheonix. You are very talented. We look forward to seeing you around the theatre in the near future and good luck with your studies.
Please visit the Young Talents Exhibit at the Spotlight Gallery in the Janigan Studio before the show and during the intermission.