Zoey Zaharchuk, photo courtesy of Swamp Rat Experience
Fort McMurray teen headed to elite provincial theatre camp with help from local troupe
A young actress from Fort McMurray is heading to Red Deer this summer for an elite theatre camp, thanks to the support of a local theatre troupe.
Fourteen-year-old Zoey Zaharchuk has been selected to attend Artstrek, a week-long immersive theatre intensive hosted by Red Deer Polytechnic. The summer camp, now in its 65th year, is run by Theatre Alberta and offers professional training in acting, design, voice, movement, and more.
The opportunity is made possible through a sponsorship from Swamp Rat Experience (SRE), a Fort McMurray-based theatre troupe with a mission to make performing arts more accessible across the region.
“I’m so excited to have the chance to go to Artstrek, a program I didn’t think I’d get the opportunity to attend,” said Zaharchuk. “Theatre has been a big part of my life for years — it’s a safe space where I can be myself. I can’t wait to meet new people and deepen my understanding of the arts.”
This is the third year SRE has sponsored a local student to attend the summer program. Artistic Director Hanna Fridhed says supporting young artists like Zaharchuk is part of the group’s ongoing commitment to fostering community and creativity.
“Swamp Rat Experience believes in the transformative power of the arts,” said Fridhed. “By supporting local youth to attend Artstrek, we’re not just funding theatre education—we’re helping shape confident, creative individuals with a lifelong passion for the arts.”
Participants in this year’s Artstrek will study the hit Canadian musical Come From Away as part of the curriculum.
Now in its fourth year, Swamp Rat Experience offers local productions, mentorship programs, and educational partnerships. In 2024, the group joined forces with Fort McMurray Composite High School to help revitalize the King Street Theatre, launching student-led initiatives like Theatre Club and summer programming.
As Swamp Rat Experience continues to grow, Fridhed says the group remains focused on creating inclusive, inspiring opportunities for people of all ages to explore and enjoy the world of theatre.
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