reConnexion Collective

The reConnexion Collective is a project-run performance arts group. We began in 2009, connecting Toronto’s youth with the professional live performance community, finding/creating opportunities for emerging artists to practice their art and gain more skills, and connecting the performance art community with the youth social service community. We are theatre/live performance practitioners (actors, poets, playwrights, arts educators, etc.) with core, project, and associate members. All three core members trained through b current’s rAiz’n the Sun Training Development Program. In May 2010, we held the first annual Uth: A Day Experience, a day-long mini-festival. Hosted by b current’s rock.paper.sistahz festival, over 150 kids, youths, and their families participated in youth-facilitated workshops, attended performances including Aneemah’s Spot, by Hip Hop artist Motion, and participated in hands-on activities like t-shirt designing. Our ongoing project, Trips2Shows, takes youth accompanied by artist-facilitators to live performance events. 2011-2012 projects: Uth Connexions network: empowering youth to program art training in their communities rather than through third parties. And the reConnexion Artists growth spurt: build a stronger connection between arts organizations and youth social service providers, so when youth connect to one they have access to all.