“I want to be an actor—became the mantra that his father and I heard through the years. ”

— Dawn Claxton, proud mother of Tristan Claxton

Tristan Claxton at age 13 in the Richmond Hill Curtain Club production of Marvin’s Room in 2004. Photo: Dawn Claxton.

What do you want to be when you grow up?”

What inspired your answer when you were a child? Did you follow-through into adulthood?

For our long-time Newmarket resident, Dawn Claxton, little did she know that her choice of a Saturday program with the Town of Newmarket for her 6 year-old son would become the spark that ignited a dream! Here is her story:

“Mommy, I want to be an actor!” It’s not the profession that most parents would choose for their child, but when your child is only six years old, you brush it aside thinking it’s only one of many things he’ll say he wants to be, before he grows up. However, choosing a career path at the age of six, is precisely what Tristan did. “I want to be an actor” became the mantra that his father and I heard through the years. Tristan was blessed to grow up in a community and school environment that offered many opportunities to explore his love of theatre and the arts. With his end goal in mind, Tristan pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Windsor and earned a Master’s of Classical Acting in London, England. He has been performing professionally for the last four years and is on his way to living his dream. 22 years after his first stage experience playing Smee in “Peter Pan” in his Saturday morning class, Tristan is back in the town where it all began. This time, he is performing as a professional actor in the Newmarket National 10 Minute Play Festival (NNPF) for his hometown audience.

Special Seniors Matinée on Thursday, July 24.

Experience a special afternoon for Seniors at the beautifully renovated Old Town Hall

in historic downtown Newmarket. Enjoy professional live theatre performances of 6 TEN MINUTE original Canadian plays in just 60 minutes, followed by a reception with light refreshments and the opportunity to interact with Directors and Actors. $20 per ticket.

Group bookings of 8+, please contact Janet Raponi at 05-953-5300 ext. 2842 or jraponi@newmarket.ca

The Last House

Newmarket National Play Festival’s The Last House by Andrew Paulsen, featured in after|LIFE. Directed by Zachary Arndt.

Scenic design: Ellen Brooker; Costume design: Madeline Ius; Lighting design: Christopher Pattenden; Photo: Jason Wighton.

Monsieur Léotard

Kiana Woo and Scott Baker in the Newmarket National Play Festival’s Monsieur Léotard by Dave Carley, featured in end|RUN. Directed by Marianne McIsaac.

Scenic design: Ellen Brooker; Costume design: Madeline Ius; Lighting design: Christopher Pattenden; Photo: Jason Wighton.

10 Minute Play Writing Workshop

Register now to learn how to write a 10 minute play today...not some day. This is a 2 half-day hands-on workshop.

Valse Sentimentale

Gwyn Beaver, Dan Karpenchuk, Stephen Ingram in the Newmarket National Play Festival’s Valse Sentimentale by Wyatt Lamoureux, featured in stand|OUT. Directed by Trevor Curran.

Scenic design: Ellen Brooker; Costume design: Madeline Ius; Lighting design: Christopher Pattenden; Photo: Jason Wighton.

A Different School of Thought

Anna Mazurik (seated), Veronica Hortiguela in the Newmarket National Play Festival’s A Different School of Thought by Amanda Doig, featured in you|TURN. Directed by Andrea Houssin. Scenic design: Ellen Brooker; Costume design: Madeline Ius; Lighting design: Christopher Pattenden; Photo: Jason Wighton.

Presented by BMW Newmarket, the 3rd Annual Newmarket National 10 Minute Play Festival returns to the historic downtown and Newmarket’s Old Town Hall from July 23 to 28. The Festival organizer and volunteers will be present at the Upper Canada Mall (Market Court) this weekend from 11:30 am to 3 p.m. (July 13 and 14) to meet with the public and to promote the festival that premieres 24 original 10 minute plays written by Canadian playwrights. Visitors can find out more about the themes of the plays and the many other free Festival events scheduled throughout the week. Kids can engage in fun activities and games, which will give them a taste of the theatre world. Who knows? May be you will be sowing a new seed for the next generation of performing artists or art patrons.