There’s a new export hitting the P.E.I. markets – the "Spotlight Presents" podcast, which was launched Feb 26.
With Reasha Walsh hosting and Amanda Doucette at the controls, the show dips into the real world of the entertainment industry.
“We want to put P.E.I. on the map,” said Walsh, executive director of the Spotlight School of Arts Inc. in Summerside, which is producing the podcast.
“We’re exporting a product – and people aren’t really going to realize that we’re creating an arts product – and we’re exporting it from P.E.I.”
Walsh and Doucette are aiming for one episode per week and are hoping the podcast will be one more way for the school to support and inspire youth who have dreams of making a living in dance, theatre or music.
“Because there’s more jobs than just acting,” said Walsh, adding it's a kind of an educational tool with a "huge reach".
Materials needed to make a podcast:
- microphone
- headphones
- laptop
- free recording app Zoom
- free version of Audacity for editing
The general public has the idea there aren’t many careers in the arts, but it’s simply not the way it is, said Walsh.
“There’s all the technicians, there’s admin people, there’s all the other creators, it’s crazy. We’re really able to reach around and talk to all different sorts of people and hear about the different jobs they’re doing,” she said. “A good portion of the time, the people didn’t end up where they started.”
Conversations with Aaron Hastelow of "Jesus Christ Superstar" fame and Steve Bellamy, CEO of the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown, are the first two podcasts up after Walsh’s introductory podcast.
“A lot of the (guests) actually spread advice and awareness and give tips to the youth to just give them things to think about for the future,” said Doucette.
“The biggest thing we’re hearing is you can forge your own path,” added Walsh.
Walsh and Doucette have several episodes in the works, as well as a list of guests they’d love to host.
As the digital media producer, Doucette was responsible for setting up the interviews and prepping the guests for what to expect from the actual interview. She also took care of the editing.
She said the most time-consuming part of the process was making the connection and setting up an interview.
A journalist by trade, Doucette had set up and edited dozens of interviews, but taking a sound file to subscribers was a new adventure.
“We both listen to a lot of podcasts, but we had no idea what it actually took to launch it and post it and everything,” said Doucette.
Walsh is aiming high, confident there’s an audience for a backstage look into a creative life.
“When the day comes that we’re really huge – this is me being really optimistic – we’re gonna be from P.E.I. and we’re gonna be in Summerside doing these podcasts.”
Fast facts:
- The Spotlight School of Performing Arts Inc. has recovered from its recent flood. After dry cleaning everything they could, only a few pieces were damaged beyond repair, and they await an insurance settlement.
- Spotlight Shop is open - Royal Academy of Dance-certified dancewear is for sale. There are shoes for ballroom, highland, tap and ballet, as well as tights, skating dresses, gymnastics and fitness apparel. Saturday afternoons are a good time to shop, otherwise, hours are variable.
- Casting is complete for "The Importance of Being Earnest", coming to the Black Box Theatre at the school from May 31 to June 22.
- School of music coming soon - Walsh is finalizing teachers for singing, guitar, drums and bass, with plans for more instruments in future. Band and choral programs are also in the future.