Youth Academy
Youth Programs, Classes & Clubs
Astor Academy youth programming provides children and youth up to age 18 with access to high-quality performing and visual arts training and opportunities for low to no cost, from weekly clubs to our Astor Academy Summer Camp.
These successful programs help to engage, build confidence, and develop talent and leadership skills that last a lifetime. Many of our Astor Academy youth graduates go on to lead younger generations of children at the Academy, passing on skills and knowledge. Everyone is welcome.
To register or for inquiries regarding Astor Academy programs, please call 902-354-5250 or email boxoffice@astortheatre.ns.ca.
Astor Academy Filmmaking Club
Mentors: Kyle Smyth, Lori Smyth and Dan Williams
Meetings: Mondays, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Start date: September 21, 2026
Attention Young Filmmakers!
Filmmaking Club was started by Kyle Smyth in 2024. We were very excited to have Dan Williams join us soon afterwards. Our club members make original short films and take their projects from screenwriting, editing, production planning, cinematography, directing, and editing to get them to the final product.
This group has created 6 original group films: Nightmare on Film Street, Unhinged Christmas, The Movbee, Hells Bells, DropBears, Evan Burger’s Last Stand.
Many of our club members submit their films to the AIFF Youth Film Competition. In previous years, we have had several finalists from our club. We have also had two films tie for the People’s Choice Award in 2025 – Easton Goodwin’s Past Echoes and Desmond Smyth’s November Moon.
We also do two Astor Academy Film Festivals per year, where your child will be able to present their movies on the Astor BIG screen.
This is a free program for high school-aged students.
The club runs Mondays from 6pm to 8pm.
Space is limited; register at boxoffice@astortheatre.ns.ca today!
Kaleb Whynott, Desmond Smyth and Thomas Lenco edit The Movbee, a group project of the Astor Academy’s film club. The young filmmakers will premiere their work at the Astor on Friday. (Photo: Rick Conrad)
Annimation Club Club
Mentors: Desmond Smyth, Kaleb Whynott, Easton Goodwin & Aiden Merry
Meetings: Mondays, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Start date: September 21, 2026
Calling all kids aged 7 to 13!
Have you ever wanted to make your own animated movies?
Stop-Motion Club started in 2024 by Desmond Smyth, a local high school student who had an interest in Stop-Motion when he was younger and wanted to teach the younger generation about this animation form.
Our club has expanded, not only teaching stop-motion animation but 2D frame-by-frame hand-drawn-style animation, green screen animation, and frame-by-frame pivot-stick-figure-style techniques all using your cellphone or tablet. We are excited to have amazing youth volunteers helping Desmond again this year – Easton Goodwin, Aiden Merry & Kaleb Whynott.
Last year, a student from our group was a finalist in the Youth Atlantic Film Festival, and we are hoping for more this year!
We also do two Astor Academy Film Festivals per year, where your child will be able to present their movies on the Astor BIG screen.
All are welcome, no previous experience required.
Students are asked to bring a device that can take photos (like a tablet or cell phone) and can download animation apps like Stop Motion Studio, Flip-a-Clip, Sticknodes, CapCut, etc. Students can also bring toys, LEGO, clay, etc. to use for their animations.
The club runs Mondays from 5 pm to 6pm.
Space is limited; register at boxoffice@astortheatre.ns.ca today!
Stop Motion Club. Photo: Kyle Smyth