"No replacement for live performance": Edmonton theatre companies hoping to lure audiences out | Edmonton Journal

In a very public place, Sheldon Elter gave a very private performance. The award-winning local actor ed shrank next to the corpse on the cold ground in the parking lot of Old Strathcona, took a deep breath, and started.

His monologue-kind, sad, but also very interesting-represents a long and slow return, beginning a live, live art form that not only makes Edmonton the theater center of this country, but also Provides endless joy, comfort and inspiration for live theater audiences in the city.

Yes, despite the COVID-19, Edmonton's theater is back on stage (I use the term "stage" loosely). They have shown extraordinary creativity and are advancing safely in difficult times.

Together with dozens of like-minded artists, Elter braved minus-zero temperatures on Saturday night as part of the pre-season opening ceremony of Workshop West.

It is an impressive and interesting five-minute drama selection, followed by one or two fans of miniature audiovisual in eight locations in Old Strathcona that are physically distant and mostly outdoors.

This brave outing-the collaboration between Western Studios, Theater Network, Catalyst Theater, Catalyst Theater, Northern Lights Theater and Yes Theater, which lasts until November 1st-is not the only show in town.

In other parts of the city, other live performances are also emerging.

(Replace the traditional buffet with the glass baffle between the compartments and the new electroplated menu) Has completed its first work "Playing with Fire: Theo Fleury Story", and is ready to start the Christmas performance, keep calm and rock!

The world premiere of Trevor Schmidt’s new play, at the Northern Light Theatre,

, Will arrive on November 5. In the castle,

It starts on October 24 and lasts until November 15.

Before you get too excited and imagine that things return to normal, not yet. Although these efforts are admirable, no way is sustainable in terms of downsizing. Here, one night may be sold out, but there are about 25 to 30 listeners every night, and the financial benefits are limited. Castle’s Daryl Cloran pointed out that the large budget show on the spring calendar cannot attract 100 currently insignificant spectators, who currently have 681 seats that are not crowded during the Ashamful of Asha. The small show meets the COVID-19 restrictions.

"We need Alberta to move to the next stage, or increase party restrictions, in order to carry out some of the large-scale performances that we have planned," Clolan said. He was referring to products such as The Garneau Block, which ceased production after it was discontinued in March. dress rehearsal. "In order for these shows to be economically viable, we need to have a sizable audience there...250 or 300, at least half of the house."

Until the provincial government dismissed

For theaters, if the physical distance is in place, the current upper limit is 100. The theater is sitting scrambling to make customers feel safe. Facts have proved that this is a high standard behavior for most works.

For example, NLT usually hosts performances in the 80-seat Studio Theatre in the ATB Financial Art Barn. But the art team decided to move

To the larger Westbury Theatre to make the distance between customers easier.

The show is both a gothic thriller and a comedy. It is played by the orphan spider-man Edwina Trout (Edwina Trout), played by Christine Johnston, who plays a role in a remote island. Madam’s companions, many of them disappeared while serving the mysterious Whisham family. .

Initially, the theater staff’s goal was to welcome 45 masked customers per show. But Gina Moe, the general manager, said that even in the spacious and airy Westbury, the number of occupants has been reduced to 15 to 20 in order to comply with the province’s recent requirements because of the COVID, voluntary Reduced indoor gatherings in churches, theaters and other places to 19 spikes across the province.

Moe said: "We make sure that the audience feel relaxed... this is the perception of anything," Moe hopes that the number of provincial cases will decrease before the opening of November 5, so that 45 tickets may be sold per show.

Trevor Schmidt, the artistic director of NLT, is optimistic about the ever-changing situation and pointed out that the small size of the theater makes it flexible.

"Our clothing and clothing budgets are always very small, so we learned to make the most of our money... Sadly, we cannot ask for a large sum of money from the government and funding agencies (for COVID -19 support), Because we did not lose enough money."

Although COVID-19 hinders the normal operation of all local theaters, some people use the "pause" as an opportunity to dominate and solve projects that they did not have time to pursue. Some produced online programs, while others took the opportunity to reorganize.

The castle has studied its own diversity and inclusiveness and is committed to the "35/50 Initiative". By 2024-25, the theater's labor force will cover at least 35% of people of color and 50% of women or non-binary populations. season.

In the theater network, artistic director Bradley Moss (Bradley Moss) created a new drama book club, which is scheduled to be established in early 2021. The club will invite theater network artists including Darrin Hagen to host a night of dialogue about selected plays. EPCOR's $1.25 million "Mind and Soul" fund provided a grant of $5,000, and this new online program was realized, which helped arts, culture, entertainment, and charity organizations during COVID-19.

Moss said: "This is for people who are interested in diving deeper." "...attracts our core audience."

Of course, keeping in touch with the audience is all.

In Old Strathcona's "The Here There Night", my theater partner and I were both attracted and moved by the performances of the theater, which took place in a fringe area. Locked shed, stairs and cars at Walterdale Theatre.

Oh, we are cold. However, we are also very happy to leave the sofa. Apart from dinner, there are some topics to talk about.

"I think the COVID tells us that there is no substitute for live performance," said Heather Inglis, an art producer at Workshop West. "At the end of the day, people are just tired of watching things online, alone, rather than in the same room as the performer with other audiences.

"I think when we come back, that theater will look very special again. The intensity of watching people on stage, the intensity of kissing on stage, will be extraordinary. It will affect people in ways we never thought of."

have a look at this

Looking for live performances? Here are some COVID-19 friendly highlights.

Here Here Night produced by Workshop West was performed at different locations in Old Strathcona, most of which were performed outdoors. Until November 1st

Asha in the Shoctor Theatre in the castle is full of charm. Until November 15

From November 3rd to January 17th, stay calm and rock and roll at the Mayfield Dinner Theatre!

"There is a Girl in Front of Us" filmed by the Northern Light Theatre. The movie will be held at the Westbury Theatre in the ATB Art Barn from November 5th to 21st.

"Welcome Home", this is a special concert series produced by Teatro La Quindicina and sponsored by EPCOR's "Mind and Soul Foundation". On October 30th and November 6th at the Varscona Theater.

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