Fame. Hairspray. High School Musical. Mama Mia.

Musicals have hit the big screen in a big way, and judging from the box office sales, musicals are once again in vogue — and Joey Clarkson loves it.

Clarkson wants to share her love for musical theatre with four-hour high-energy singing and dancing workshops across the Island.

Clarkson recently returned from a seven-week Canadian tour with the Vancouver band Franco, which is regularly featured on CBC radio, and she is ready to spread her enthusiasm for music and dance.

“Perhaps one of the most important lessons learned in musical theatre is teamwork,” Clarkson said in a press release. “It is wonderful to see children and youth working together in a common project, counting on each other and knowing someone else is counting on them.”

Clarkson will hold a Comox Valley musical theatre workshop Nov. 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. at 2328 Rosewall Cres. in Courtenay’s Tin Town.

The goal of Clarkson’s programs is to develop imagination and creativity in learning theatre skills, making new friends and discovering more about each other through musical theatre.

“When you are singing properly, it is very aerobic,” she noted. “Add the dance element, and you have a great workout.”

During the four-hour workshops, students work on activities that focus on developing skills in the actor. Workshops conclude with an informal presentation for family and friends.

Clarkson stresses that while the final presentation is important, success is ultimately measured through the learning and self-development that comes from the rehearsal process.

Empathy, sensitivity and concern for others are emphasized throughout the program.

Clarkson will also conduct workshops in the Campbell River, Qualicum, Nanaimo, Victoria and Duncan areas between Nov. 7 and Dec. 19.

All ages are welcome, and the cost is $35.

Under the spell of music and the theatre since she was eight years old, Clarkson has amassed hundreds of hours onstage as well as behind the curtain with Rainbow Youth Theatre, Courtenay Little Theatre, Vanier drama, the Nova Voce and Cantiamo choirs and TheatreWorks.

She credits her mentors, Lori Mazey, Kymme Patrick, Jenn Riley, Carol Ann Parkinson and the late Jim Rickson, with encouraging her musical and acting talents, which she is now putting to use as a director to encourage other youngsters.

Clarkson teaches classes for Courtenay Recreation, musically directs for TheatreWorks and has a strong and loyal following in the Comox Valley.

Clarkson has been very active in the community, raising money for disaster relief and performing at various venues in the Valley.

She has a recording contract with Highland Music Multimedia and is featured on the 2007 Valley Idol CD and Jewels of the Island, where she joins Susie MacGregor, Todd Butler and Kenny Shaw, among other favourites.

Valley residents have also heard Clarkson on the radio promotions on Jet FM for North Island College, hosting for the Vancouver Island Music Business Conference and judging the Valley Idol competitions.

Clarkson is currently recording her first full-length album featuring songs she wrote in Thailand where, among other things, she taught music at the Baan Dada orphanage.

For more information about the workshops, call Clarkson at 250-702-4797, e-mail her at joeyclarkson@telus.net or visit www.joeyclarkson.com.

— Joey Clarkson