LTCHS graduate accepted to prestigious national theatre school

A Red Deer Public student is heading east this summer as she earned a spot in the coveted National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal.

Alexis Moreside, who recently graduated from Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School,  has been accepted into the school’s acting program. She will spend three years honing her voice and movement skills at the conservatory 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 Alexis. “It was so exciting!”

Photo by Dave Prescott

It is very rare for a student directly out of high school to be accepted into the National Theatre School of Canada. 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,” said Alexis. “I am really excited for a conservatory-style school that is acting heavy.”

Through the program, Alexis said she hopes to gain further experience and make her way into the world of acting in some capacity.

“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.”

Alexis’s love for acting has spanned many years.

“I started singing in musical theatre when I was eight years old and then I did community theatre shows for years after that,” she said. “I went to MusiCamp Alberta and that is where I met Mrs. Koett. I loved working with her so much that I came to watch Little Shop of Horrors when I was in Grade 8. My family and I decided that I was going to go to Thurber, and 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.”

Alexis 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.”

Photo by Dave Prescott

Tara Koett, a Teacher at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School, said she is so proud of Alexis and is excited to see where the future takes her.

“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.”

Tara added she has enjoyed having Alexis as a student over the last four years, and wishes her well as she embarks on this new and exciting journey.

“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,” she 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.”