The board at Tree House Youth Theatre (THYT) has announced it has selected Serge Belliveau as its new artistic director (AD) starting July 1st.
Belliveau’s selection was made by the board after hearing that their current artistic director Matt Gould would be retiring after 10 years with the organization.
“I am very excited for this new chapter in Tree House’s history. The future is bright. Serge has a lot of experience in theatre arts. What’s really cool to me, as well, is that he was a kid in the Tree House program years ago. He has come home to roost and spread the fun, connection, growth experiences and character building that Tree House’s drama programs provide,” said Kerwin Rittammer, president of the THYT board.
“I also want to thank Matt profusely for all the time, energy, and passion he brought to the Tree House programs for the last 10 years. I consider him a friend and wish him all the best in the new endeavours and paths his life will take.”
Having gotten his feet wet as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of OZ directed by then AD Richard O’Brien, Belliveau was inspired to pursue stagework.
He attended Red Deer College and performed there as a student in Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Judah, Billy Bigelow in Carousel, and aptly cast as the Clowne in A Winter’s Tale.
Performing regularly with Prime Stock saw him act locally and across the province professionally. Transplanted to Toronto he received training in improvisation which serves him well with his passionate involvement with Bull Skit.
Belliveau has taught, written, directed, and acted in countless performances.
Belliveau said, “First off I would like to thank the board for choosing me as the next artistic director for Tree House. In many ways I ‘got my start’ in theatre through THYT. With the experiences learned from this company and my years of training and performances, I intend to pass on my great joy and passion for theatre.
“I am excited and inspired to be working with the young community of this city, and cannot wait to see what life lessons they have to teach me in return. I am motivated by Matt Gould’s tenure as artistic director and look forward to see where THYT can grow from here.”
With his farewell show opening next week, Gould said, “I want to thank everyone involved in Tree House Youth Theatre over the past 10 years for their support and enthusiasm for my work as artistic director. I am confident that my beloved ‘house’ will be kept in good order with our new artistic director, Serge Belliveau.
“Break a leg, my friend.”
Tree House has been in operation for 27 years and offers children and youth ages nine to 17 from Central Alberta the opportunity to learn the dramatic arts in a challenging and safe environment.
The company has won numerous awards for its work and has delighted audiences for years with a wide range of work from original productions, classic theatre, and musicals.
Audiences can see Tree House’s latest show, 2 for the road, highlighting a number of audience favourite and familiar numbers, over eight performances from May 28th to June 6th.
A welcoming reception will be held after the evening performance on May 30th at the Scott Block Theatre (approximately 9 p.m.)
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