Rosebud documentary showing serves as fundraiser

Online premiere May 28 will help theatre weather pandemic struggles

Like many businesses and nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rosebud Theatre is feeling a big hit to its finances.

Present physical distancing guidelines have prompted the theatre based at the Rosebud School of the Arts to cancel its spring and summer shows. That has placed both the school and theatre in a dire position while also causing hardship for the town of Rosebud.

“We’re a ridiculous ecosystem that shouldn’t be, and will continue to be against all odds, if we can just get over this hump…” Morris Ertman, Artistic

Director of Rosebud Theatre, says in a news release.

In a bid to help sustain the Rosebud Theatre, a new documentary about the town and its popular theatre will have a “virtual viewing” premiere May 28 as part of a fundraising effort. “Rosebud, Alberta,” a documentary crafted by Canadian filmmakers Eric Pauls and Michael Janke, will be shown at 7 p.m. that day online at

rosebudtheatre.com/support-us.

Pauls and Janke visited the prairie oasis in 2018 and were inspired to feature it in a short film that has won awards at festivals across Canada, including an Official Selection at the Edmonton International Film Festival where it premiered. Since the film’s festival run has been cut short due to COVID-19, the filmmakers have turned their sights to helping save the town and theatre that inspired the film.

Thanks to the generosity of two benefactors, donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to a total of $50,000.

Rosebud Theatre, in its 37th season, has earned an international reputation as a live-theatre destination while garnering awards including Travel Alberta’s Alberta Pride — ALTO Award, the Rural Tourism Champion Award and the Rozsa Award.