A recent Red Deer high school graduate will move across the country to attend the prestigious National Theatre School of Canada.
Alexis Moreside, who graduated from Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, was recently accepted into the Montreal school’s acting program. She will spend three years in a small cohort of 11 students.
“I auditioned in February and then went for callbacks in May where we did two days of workshops. I found out that I was accepted when we were on our school’s New York trip in May,” said Moreside.
It's rare for a student directly out of high school to be accepted into the National Theatre School of Canada, Red Deer Public Schools noted in a media release. Most attendees are professional actors and have been working in the industry for a number of years.
“I was interested in the school because it is such a small cohort that you’re with for three years, so you get a lot of specific training from the teachers because of the small group,” Moreside said.
“I am really excited for a conservatory-style school that is acting heavy.”
Moreside said she hopes to gain further experience through the program.
“I’ve done film and theatre acting in the past and I love both,” she said.
“In whatever form, I just want to act. I am excited to learn different perspectives and be in such a small group so that I can learn from everyone else.”
Moreside started singing in musical theatre when she was eights years old. She continued doing community theatre shows for years after that. When Moreside was in Grade 8, she saw Little Shop of Horrors at Lindsay Thurber – afterwards she and her family decided that was the right high school for her.
“... We drove back and forth every day from Sylvan Lake in Grade 9 so that I could attend the program. After that, we moved into Red Deer,” Moreside said.
Moreside credits the theatre program at Lindsay Thurber for getting her to where she is today.
“I have learned so much over the last four years. I think Thurber’s program is so special because it really prepares you well for all elements of theatre,” she said.
“I have gotten to try technical theatre and directing, and you get to see so many aspects of that world and find what you really love. There are also so many cool opportunities to grow and it has shaped me as a person and a performer.”
Tara Koett, a teacher at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, said she is proud of Moreside for being accepted into the National Theatre School of Canada.
“It’s really exciting and it’s a huge accomplishment,” she said.
“It’s a very competitive school, but for someone who has worked with her, it’s not surprising that Lexi was accepted.”
Koett added Moreside was "a great leader" at Lindsay Thurber.
“Lexi has been a great leader in our program. The great thing about Lexi is she is very humble, she is very hardworking and is very generous with her time and her gifts,” Koett said.
“She is involved in so many of our programs from dance to improv. Lexi is willing to take risks and that is so beautiful to watch, and it will serve her well in the future. She has had a huge impact on our entire program. We are so proud of her and can’t wait to see what the next few years bring.”