For the love of theatre
Time to think about taking part in Community Theatre Festival
Prince Edward Island’s annual celebration of World Theatre Day is the P.E.I. Community Theatre Festival that will be held on March 17.
Taking place at the Carrefour Theare in Charlottetown, the Saturday afternoon will be filled with a play running every threequarters of an hour or so, with a social time in-between performances.
Refreshments will be provided to the players. Performers will be given helpful adjudication. Previous mentors have been helpful people like Wade Lynch, Monique Lafontaine, Richard Haines and Laura Bird. Participants will be presented with participation award mementoes.
The Community Theatre Festival is a showcase for true community theatre and a great chance for scores of actors and off-stage production volunteers to perform beyond their usual home audience, to rub shoulders with and learn from one another and get constructive feedback.
The festival has grown in popularity since its resurgence in 2010. Last year the audience tended to drop in to watch two or three of the six performances — a fine mix of slapstick, intense drama, legend, classic satire, even some improv. Photos can be seen on ACT’s website — www.actpei.ca.
“The P.E.I. Community Theatre Festival reminds me of why I went into theatre in the first place,” said Lynch. “It is an inclusive, nurturing community experience. To hear stories told, sung and physicalized in English, French, Mi’kmaq and mime is how we build a stronger, welcoming, tolerant, safe and magical community. I can’t wait for next year.”
Organizers are inviting amateur (for-the-love-of-it) theatre groups to express interest and get working on a play. What’s wanted are short plays or excerpts — no more than a halfhour — of any kind: comedy, quasi-improv, gripping drama, mystery, slice-of-life, political satire, romance, family-friendly or avant-garde/mature.
It can also be a fine opportunity for a group to preview or reprise a show they’ve developed for another presentation.
There’s plenty of time over the coming few months to get into performance mode. Mentoring guidance is available on request.
To get information and to express interest, contact Kim Johnston 902-569-8563, johnstonk@hotmail.com; Kate Martin, 902-892-4384, eslkatie1@ gmail.com; or Rob Thomson, 902-628-6778, robthomson@ pei.sympatico.ca.
A group should signify its intention to participate by Dec. 15 with definite confirmation needed by Jan. 31.