Numerous enhancements and upgrades to multiple programs are coming to the Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP) as a recipient of the Manitoba Accessibility Fund.
MTYP is receiving $20,000 through the fund to increase accessibility, remove barriers, and ensure every youth has the opportunity to experience the arts. “At MTYP, we have a conviction in living our values and some of those are to reflect the community we serve and meet you where you are,” explains Megan Heke, Director of Development at MTYP.
“That requires an assessment of improvements for our facility and programming that are accessible to everyone who enters the building.”
Funding will add to existing initiatives, including American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation. Although ASL is offered during performances, Heke says there’s currently a gap when people first enter MTYP’s doors.
“We didn’t have an effective way of communicating for those who are deaf or hard of hearing when they enter our building or provide information.”
MTYP is developing a welcome video with ASL interpretation. It will be displayed on a new digital screen, offering information for someone’s first visit or someone looking for details on the performances. ASL interpretation videos will also be produced and shared over MTYP’s social media accounts. Consultants will be involved in developing practical options for audio-described performances. One such performance was available last year. Heke explains funding opens opportunities to explore these options, as the theatre hasn’t had the capacity to do so in the past.
“We’re working as a team to engage with all sorts of different folks to ensure we’re reducing those barriers where possible and reflecting on ways to reduce the barriers. I don’t know if we can always remove them, but certainly, where we can, we hope to.”
Unrelated to the funding, MTYP has a capital campaign underway for significant facility renovations, removing further barriers for visitors and staff of all physical ability levels.
These developments are all in an effort for youth to experience and be a part of the arts regardless of background, says Artistic Director Pablo Felices-Luna. Through both his work and as a father, Felices-Luna has seen the impact art has on children, sparking imagination, fostering emotional intelligence, and enabling shared experiences.
Theatre and other artistic forms allow children to explore their emotions, understand others’ perspectives, and develop life skills. Luna recounts a personal moment with his daughter, who could articulate her feelings about moving at seven years old.
“She could name why she was feeling it, And that’s pretty perceptive for a seven-year-old. These are the sort of things that theatre teaches you, right? It teaches you to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and think about what it would feel like to be them. What would you do if you were in this situation that they’re in? So all of those sorts of skills you start developing by experiencing theatre.”
The accessibility services are anticipated to be completed by the spring, with the facility upgrades by June 2025.
– Ryan Funk, U Multicultural
