On the move
All Canadian Show
Edmonton Sun
February 1992

Janis Dunning's heart must be a bright, red maple
leaf. The ambitious woman is an actress, singer,
dancer, writer . . . but above all, Canadian.
While we celebrate birthday 125 with constitutional
turmoil and national disunity, Dunning's doing her
best to hold our land together.

She's the driving force behind Experience Canada,
a $2.8 million plan to send 125 youths on a 125 day
performing and educational tour. Their show a
multicultural musical Spirit of a Nation will run
coast to coast for audiences ranging in size from 20 to
25,000.

"It's more than snazzy show bit," assures Dunning.
"These kids have to be ambassadors, and they have to
work for free."

Expenses for the summer are covered, but there's no pay.
The bulk of funding comes from Multiculturalism
and Citizenship Canada, and the Canada 125 birthday
committee. The major corporate sponsors are
Greyhound and Canadian Airlines
Dunning and her husband Jacques Lemay are
co producers of the tour. Last month, the couple
auditioned over 300 performers in 19 Canadian cities.
"We wanted diverse ethnic backgrounds and good
regional representatives."
Dunning came through Edmonton Feb. 21. Although the
cast list isn't finalized, at least six local youths
will be asked to join the troupe.
Thunder Bay had the largest response to tryouts.
"People don't usually stop there for national
auditions, so it was a really big deal there front
page news." Quebec City was a bust. ''We were so disappointed.