What You Didn’t Know About Canada’s Only Santa School
There comes a time in any Santa-believers young life when youthful ignorance is replaced by a nagging skepticism. Perhaps this comes as a result of intellectual growth, but more likely stems from the fact that each year, the grizzled Santa at the local department store becomes increasingly impatient after hefting child after screaming child onto his knee. Eventually one year, the innocent kid looks directly into his parents’ eyes and questions not only Santa’s legitimacy, but their honesty as parents as well.
A Santa for Life
Santa School in Calgary, AB was created to bring happiness to the lives of children, and arm impersonators with the necessary skills to combat this unfortunate eventuality. Victor Nevada, a man who donned the renowned red-suit for more than 20 years, founded the Santa School in the Rocky Mountain foothills.
After spending time extensively researching Santa Claus through a variety of mediums, and consequently writing a book of his own on the character, stage-name Santa Victor put his Education diploma to use by opening an intensive three-day academy wherein interested patrons could gain access to the ins-and-outs of become a bonafide member of Santa’s Regional Representatives
Skills from Santa School
Today, Santa School boasts some of the best instructors in show business, with a resume including: film, stage, media, advertising, and television. Prospective Santas are given instruction on a number of skills to add to their proverbial toy-crafting toolbox, ranging from voice projection to presence.
Also, the lessons are not limited to just inhabiting the persona of Mister Kris Kringle, but also Mrs. Claus. One Santa-in-training from California, Jean Southward said, “Learning from an expert was the thrill of a lifetime.” Evidently, the caliber of education for this character is unprecedented for such a niche, despite the popularity of Mr. Christmas
Santa Sales
The Santa school website itself offers custom made Santa suits and sells copies of Victor Nevada’s book “All About Being Santa—the manual of bringing joy” which some who take up the mantle (or stocking cap) have coined their “Santa Bible.”
Regardless of your willingness to perpetuate the Santa character, we can all agree that the figure represents the joyful spirit of Christmas-time. An illustrious symbol of holiday cheer, the image of Santa Claus is continued by the proprietors of Santa School in Calgary. Whether your preferred persona is Santa Claus, St. Nick, Mrs. Claus, or Father Christmas, there is only one place where people can go to learn how to become Santa.
