Local dramatist named one of Alberta’s top emerging artists

By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer

A theatre artist with local roots has won one of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta’s 2018 Emerging Artists Awards, and $10,000 to go along with it.

Emily Marisabel Cambridge (née Boyle), the daughter of Myrna Newman and Graham Boyle, was recently honoured with the award at a gala event in Edmonton.

“I was kind of shocked at the time, I didn’t think that I’d win,” Cambridge said.

She was one of 10 emerging artists chosen, out of 147 applicants in total, along with a field that included writers, filmmakers, musicians, a visual artist, composer, multi-disciplinary artist, and theatre artists.

Cambridge saw the award online and embarked on a lengthy process to apply. She sent in her curriculum vitae, or resumé, wrote a description of her development as an artists, and her short-term artistic goals.

She also needed to submit two appraisals, which served as references.

Interestingly, one was Barrett Hileman, who lived in Claresholm a few years ago, and staged a one-man show of his own at Faith Community Baptist Church.

Cambridge also had to supply visual, written, and video samples of her work.

She mostly talked about the theatre company she created, called “Light in the Dark” theatre with its focus on sharing stories to illuminate hope and inspire positive action.

Beyond producing stories about hope, Cambridge is creating theatre opportunities for rural communities.

Most recently, her theatre company worked with a group in Peace River.

They were encouraging reading through a program called “A million minutes to win it”.

The prize for reading a million minutes was a party. “Light in the Dark” was part of that party, putting on a comedic show called “A Twisted Tale of Snow White”.

Cambridge has also been heavily involved with the Canadian Badlands Passion Play by Drumheller.

Just finishing her fifth year, she spent two years acting in it, two years as intern director, and this past summer as assistant director.

“I love working there,” Cambridge said. “I just love the people.”

All of these experiences have culminated in her recognition as one of the province’s top emerging artists.

“It was really nice recognition,” she said. “Seeing first hand the Alberta government is keeping the arts alive.”

She noted a lot of the arts go unrecognized and so much work goes in, but people only see the finished product.

“It was a nice boost,” Cambridge said.

It was also affirmation about her choice of careers.

“I am on the right path,” she said.

Cambridge has wanted to be in the theatre arts her whole life.

She began taking singing lessons with local teacher Michelle DeDominicis when Cambridge was four years old.

After graduating from Willow Creek Composite High School, she attended York University in Toronto for two years, studying devised theatre, then went to the Rosebud School of the Arts Mentorship in Acting Program, graduating in 2017.

The emerging artist award is the next step in her journey that began at age four.

“It was a really nice recognition this is what I want to do,” Cambridge said.