Arthur Kyeyune Graduates with Honours

Performing Arts & Entertainment in Canada, Summer, 2000 by Iris Winston

OTTAWA RESIDENT ARTHUR KYEYUNE SPENT MOST OF 1999 IN A WHIRLWIND OF ACTIVITY. HE TOURED BRITISH COLUMBIA WITH THE MULTICULTURAL SPIRIT OF A NATION show in July and would have taken up a full scholarship with the Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York, if he had had time. Instead, he joined the cast of the Stratford Festival production of West Side Story. Almost immediately after the show closed in November, he began rehearsals for the Toronto production of The Lion King. In between all the action on stage, the 18-year-old Canterbury High School honours student completed his academic studies and graduated from high school.

Still a little punchy with all that has happened in the last few months, he smiles and says that the "is enjoying it all before reality sets in." But his early success is reality for the talented dancer/actor/singer, points out Canterbury drama head Jim McNabb, even though he seems "quite surprised when people think he's good.'

"When Arthur came into Grade 9 he was one of the best we've ever seen in audition," says McNabb, who has taught at the school, which specializes in fine arts, since 1984. Kyeyune remained a top-notch student through his four years in the drama program. Apart from chalking up a number of performing arts awards, and rave reviews for performances on community theatre stages, he also qualified for a Fine Arts Certificate (recognizing a 90 per cent or better academic average) and found time for volunteer work in the community as well.

"Academic excellence is very important to me," says Kyeyune. "I won't let myself lose sight of post-secondary education in spite of all that's happening now. I've set myself a limit. Before three years is up, I have to be in university or theatre school. School has always been an issue for me, something to worry about and plan. But right now, I just want to focus on what I have."

And that is quite a bit. He learned just 45 minutes after his Stratford audition that he was in the show (one of the cast dropped out after landing a movie role).

"From then on, it's all been a blur," says Kyeyune. "This has all happened so fast."

"It's funny how things work out," he adds, explaining that he was called to audition for Stratford following a recommendation from the casting director of The Lion King, who had selected him for that show after five callbacks.

"Being called back so often gave me the opportunity to improve," says Kyeyune, who started dancing just 30 months ago and is now "trying to make up for lost time".

"They noticed that I was improving and it was great that they saw that part of me. When I first heard about (being cast in) The Lion King, I was so overwhelmed. Now this. It feels incredible to be working with this cast, to be surrounded by people so much further along the line (of performance experience). I can learn and absorb so much."

He was also able to hook up with two other Canterbury grads at Stratford -- Tyley Ross, who starred as Tony in West Side Story, and Jason Miller, who works on the administrative side of the Stratford Festival. "Canterbury produces confident, aware citizens," points out Kyeyune, who says that he believes "the arts in school are imperative".

"Canterbury creates a safe environment that promotes individuality and gives you a chance to express yourself. I owe Canterbury a lot."

He says that he is also grateful the school is demonstrating great flexibility in timetabling so that he can complete his Ontario Academic Certificate while performing on the professional stage.

"The school arranged for me to take two OACs (Law and World Issues) in Stratford," he explains. "When the show closed in November, I returned to Canterbury to take two more. I just had time before Lion King rehearsals started."

Now recognized primarily as a dancer, Kyeyune, who was a standout in community musical theatre productions for several years before turning professional, says that acting, singing and dancing will "each have its turn" for him.

"Right now, because my body is at its prime, I tend to focus on dance, but acting and singing are equally important to me," he says.