Moose Jaw Community Players wins four awards at 2018 Theater Fest

The Moose Jaw Community Players (MJCP) continues to make our city proud through their impeccable theatre production and performances as the group copped four awards at the 2018 Theatre Fest!

The 2018 Theatre Fest which was held in Weyburn saw the local theatre group performing the thought provoking but funny, Melville Boys by Norm Foster. MJCP won awards for:

• Runner Up to Best Play

• Best Visual Presentation

• Best Characterization (won by Jarrod Jeanson)

• Best Actress in a Supporting Role (won by Crystal Milburn)

The awards add to the MJCP’s already impressive track record as the group has won numerous awards over the years. MJCP now holds 16 awards from their productions. Producer and president of the MJCP, Tara Gish says the group is proud of their accomplishments. “We’re really proud and excited for the awards. It was a wonderful experience to compete against the other community groups. Battleford won for Best Play. We always knew that they bring a good show. But to bring home four awards was really wonderful. These awards bring our total to16 awards we’ve won over an eight-year period since the MJCP has been competing. We love to go to the festival each year with our play. We usually practice here in Moose Jaw where the community has an opportunity to see us and then we go on to Theatre Fest.” Director of the play, Debbie Burgher expressed similar sentiments. “It was a full week-long festival and we are proud to have been there. There were 11 awards and we won four so that is something we are very proud of. We’re proud to e able to provide excellent quality theatre and excited to have a format where we can all do what we love to do. The group of us are like family and we enjoy working together because we all love what we do. These awards are very special.” MJCP to date has presented 14 productions locally and at six (6) provincial competitions, all over a span of 8 years. Theatre Fest, held in Weyburn this year, is an annual provincial competitive festival hosted by Theatre Saskatchewan. Typically, seven community theatre groups participate each year, one each night for seven consecutive evenings.

The MJCP will have their annual Dinner Theatre at Cosmo Centre this fall. The dates will be announced soon. You can find MJCP on Facebook or contact Tara Gish, president at 306690-8992. About the Melville Boys

The Melville Boys, the first play written by Canadian playwright Norm Foster, was originally produced at Theatre New Brunswick in 1984. Synopsis:

A relaxing weekend full of fishing, football, and beer is on the agenda for the Melville brothers. So is confronting eldest brother Lee’s terminal illness. But their trip is thrown for a loop when the boys meet two attractive sisters who inadvertently change more than their weekend plans. In this modern Canadian Classic, Norm Foster offers a tender comedy full of vigor about brotherhood and the unexpected.

Owen Melville: played by Jarrod Jeanson

Lee Melville: played by John Burgher Mary: played by Nadia Frost Loretta: played by Crystal Milburn

Director: Debbie Burgher

Stage Manager: Veronica Montgomery

Lights: Jenna Beaton

Sound: Derek Carlier

Props and Set Dresser: Robbie Gamble Set Design: Joan Stumborg & Tara Gish

Set Construction: Tara Gish

Paint Effects: Joan Stumborg Prompter: Karen Gaucher Producers: Verna Alonzo Lantigua, Robbie Gamble, Karen Gaucher, Tara Gish

Assistant Producers: Derek Carlier, Jenna Beaton

Back row from left: Nadia Frost, Jarrod Jeanson, John Burgher. (Front from left) Veronica Montgomery, Crystal Milburn, Tara Gish and Debbie Burgher.