Call for Young Ambassadors, PuSh 2012

October 26, 2011

“I thought that the program was genius. I NEVER would have had an opportunity to work with such a neat group of international artists without this chance. It has sparked my imagination, and has given my own work new life. It also introduced me to many of the Vancouver theatre professionals; not only are they fun people, but as a soon-to-be graduate they are good contacts to have.”

– Zoe Green, U.B.C. Graduate and Young Ambassador to White Cabin (AKHE Theatre)

The Young Ambassadors program is entering its third year at the PuSh Festival and is coordinated by the Festival’s associate curator Dani Fecko (pictured here, see bio below). The program integrates the next generation of Vancouver’s young arts professionals into the Festival and introduces them to the artistic sensibility and world-view of visiting Canadian and international artists. PuSh wants to encourage the sharing of the rich and specialized knowledge that exists within our organization and strengthen opportunities for emerging practitioners to enter the cultural sector by providing behind the scenes knowledge and a dynamic work experience.

Goals of the Young Ambassadors Program:

• Provide local, emerging professionals with the opportunity to engage with acclaimed Canadian   and international artists;
• Assist visiting artists with making meaningful connections to Vancouver’s arts and cultural scene;
• Be a knowledgeable, local resource for visiting artists;
• Foster friendly and helpful experiences for visiting artists’ stay in Vancouver.

Who the Ambassadors are:

• Post–secondary students in their senior year of a diploma, degree, or masters program; Participating students do not need to be a Theatre, Dance, Music or Visual Arts Major. Recent graduates will also be considered;
• Open minded, friendly individuals with an in depth knowledge of Vancouver and its various cultural attractions, from restaurants to museums, from movie theatres to music venues and galleries.

What the Ambassadors will be responsible for:

• 1-2 weeks and 4-6 hours a day of dedicated time;
• Researching the visiting artists and their work, prior to their arrival; 
• Assisting with the back stage workings and running of the visiting artist’s performances during the Festival. This may not be required in all cases; 
• Being a resource for visiting artists. This could include recommending restaurants, helping to organize excursions, finding physiotherapists and helping to plan local trips;
• Providing a comfortable, social atmosphere for the visiting artists.

Key Points:

• The artists are not mentors, and the Ambassadors are not “personal assistants.” They are peers and considered vital to the artist’s ability to engage with the local community;
• This is an unpaid, volunteer position, although participants will be provided with a stipend to fund any activities they may take part in with the artist;
• The artists may vary in their need to call upon the ambassador during their stay. An ambassador is expected to be flexible, ready to respond to the individual character and cultural background of the visiting artists.

Dani Fecko began her career in Vancouver as a professional stage manager and has since worked with the production team for the Vancouver International Children’s Festival, the Magnetic North Theatre Festival and the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Her work as a Stage and Tour Manager has taken her to Toronto, London, Berlin, Mexico City, Calgary, Victoria, Seattle and Prague to name a few and her life has allowed her to see shows in each one of these cities and more across Europe and Australia. She was the proud recipient of the Sam Payne Award for Most Promising New Comer at the Jessie Richardson Awards in 2009 and is a graduate of Studio 58.

For more information, contact Dani Fecko: dani@pushfestival.ca
Application Deadline: November 4th, 2011