20 Something Sudbury | Page 11

Arts & Culture www.20somethingsudbury.ca YES THEATRE Sudbury is currently going through a creative rebirth thanks in part to an incredible talented cadre of passionate 20 something’s motivated by the rush of performing. Just this past summer, YES Theatre embarked on a wildly successful sold out run of Jesus Christ Superstar where they masterfully showed local audiences that being from Sudbury doesn’t mean that we aren’t as talented as our Toronto counterparts. The response to J.C.S was so massive; it has prompted the troupe to mount a revival of the show this summer for those who missed out the first time. YES Theatre is comprised of a family of young artists who pour their passion and enthusiasm into every performance including Kelsey Tyson who has been with YES since their production of “Hair” where she worked back stage, opening the door for actors rushing on stage. She jokingly boasts that she was “the best damn door opener ever.” With a chic bohemian style, Kelsey is a knockout with mesmeric eyes and a joyful laugh. She sounds wiser than her 21 years when we talk about the creative scene in Sudbury and her passion for the arts shines through when she starts talking about working on YES Theatre’s Christmas Cabaret. “There is going to be some large ensemble vocal numbers...maybe a little bit of Queen and Bob Dylan...the classic Christmas songs for everyone...a little bit of anything,” she explains with excitement her voice. When we start talking about her song choice for the show, her eclectic artistic spirit unveils as she explains that she is torn between two melancholy song choices, despite pressure to do an upbeat Christmas jam. Her melodic voice cuts through the din of the noisy coffee shop when she artlessly sings a few lines from one of the songs. For Kelsey and many other young performers in this town, their creative pursuits are counterbalanced by educational endeavours. Currently in her fourth year of psychology at Laurentian University, Kelsey revels in the creative satisfaction she finds in working with YES Theatre and the Sudbury Burlesque troupe. When talking about pursuing what makes her happy, Kelsey’s enthusiasm shines through when she rambles excitedly about theatre and everything that goes into it. “YES Theatre is like nothing else that I have ever experienced! It is a family. It might sound kinda culty but we always hang out together and we sing and jam all of the time,” she gushes and her sheer energy makes me want to high five her. Go see YES Theatre’s Christmas Cabaret on December 20th to enjoy Kelsey and her family of talented and passionate performers doing what they love to do. For ticket information, visit: www.yestheatre.com. PAGE 11