SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Reasha Walsh’s first child is going off to college – so to speak.
Spotlight School of Arts Inc., which Walsh founded in 2010, has signed a deal to become part of the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada.
Under the new agreement, Spotlight will dissolve and become the college’s department of theatre arts.
It’s sad to give up that hard-earned Spotlight moniker, said Walsh, but ultimately this is a great move for both organizations and Summerside is set to reap the cultural benefits.
“Spotlight was my first child – I’ve dedicated a lot of time to this company. But I think it’s for the best. Obviously, there is some emotional rollercoaster involved, but we’re going to have more resources being a part of the college, we’re going to be able to offer more programming for the kids and that’s always what it’s been about.”
“We’re always looking for ways to innovate this place, breathe new life into it and expose the community to what we already offer here. We have the facility so why not use it?”
-Jennifer Campbell
This is another step in a decade-long journey for Walsh. She created Spotlight as a private business, then transitioned it into a non-profit in 2017. The school offers classes in various performing arts disciplines for children and adults and has regularly held theatre productions and arts performances, primarily in Summerside.
Walsh and Spotlight’s one other full-time staff member will become college employees. She will become the new theatre program manager. The program teachers have individual contracts and that arrangement won’t be impacted by the change.
Spotlight has already been operating out of the college for about a month. The facility offered them temporary refuge after they suddenly had to move from their former location in downtown Summerside.
Working so closely together showed both groups that it made sense to make the arrangement permanent, said Jennifer Campbell, executive director of the college.
“We’re always looking for ways to innovate this place, breathe new life into it and expose the community to what we already offer here,” said Campbell.
“We have the facility so why not use it?”
The college completed a multi-million dollar expansion in 2018, including a new theatre and teaching and multi-use spaces.
The agreement between the two groups is already finalized and intake for the college’s newly expanded programming is on track for July with classes starting in September. Spotlight won’t be offering its usual summer programming for kids this year in order to give Walsh and her team time to deal with the transition.
Classes offered will include acting, musical theatre, improv art and dance (jazz, hip hop and intro ballet.)