How an Inclusion Yukon mentorship program helped this aspiring actor achieve a dream | CBC News
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Kevin Spofford always wanted to act, but to actually do it felt out of reach.
Then he signed up for Inclusion Yukon’s mentorAbility program.
The program facilitates short-term mentorship matches between people experiencing disabilities and employers they are interested in working with.
Spofford teamed up with the Guild Hall theatre’s artistic director Brian Fidler for a mentorship.
After getting a taste of the theatre, Spofford decided to try out for a role in The Birds, the latest play at the Guild.
“I invited him to come to the auditions,” said Fidler. “He was pretty impressive. I remember thinking, ‘did Kevin write this?'”
Spofford also impressed the director, and ended up landing a part in the play.
I felt like I had won the lottery– Kevin Spofford, Actor, The Birds
“It was like the happiest day of my life,” said Spofford. “I felt like I had won the lottery.”
Nik Potapenko is a support worker with Inclusion Yukon.
He helped connect Spofford with the Guild and Fidler.
“Kevin has always been an incredible storyteller,” said Potapenko. “Thankfully Brian was very receptive to what we do and we are incredibly grateful that he actually invited Kevin to participate as a mentee. Kevin just fell in love with it.”
Inclusion Yukon wanted to do something to recognize Spofford’s acting debut.
On Wednesday they bought all the tickets for The Birds for clients of Inclusion Yukon and their family and friends.
The evening was catered by Bridges Cafe.
Staff with the cafe are also clients of Inclusion Yukon.
Marie Fast was one of the people to attend the special performance.
She’s a close friend of Spofford’s.
“Kevin is deserving because anybody deserves an opportunity to develop their skills,” said Fast, “Kevin just has run with it, he’s been completely committed to all his rehearsals, you can see when he’s acting he’s so into it and really intent on it. They picked a good one when they picked Kevin.”
As for Spofford, he says his first acting experience has gone exactly as he always hoped it would.
“I got to show them what I can do, and that I’m more than just a one-hit wonder or just a mere Canadian Tire worker who just puts on his uniform and boots and just goes to work everyday,” said Spofford.
“I’ve shown that I can be more.”
The Birds continues until February 28th at the Guild Hall.