For a theatre company just recently created, the St. Albert Community Theatre Guild is picking up incredible steam and unleashing a crackling energy that up to now has flowed unchecked.
With only its second public meeting coming up on Wednesday, July 28 at 7 p.m. at the St. Albert United Church, it already has more than 55 interested thespians and the numbers keep growing.
“With 55 people, pushing 60, we have a lot of interested talent. I know it’s a big undertaking to start a company, but I feel confident we will be fine,” said Stanley Haroun, founder and driving force of the newbie troupe.
The company has already been tapped for its debut performance at the StArts Fest on Saturday, Sept. 18.
At the upcoming meeting, a much-anticipated topic will be whether to host auditions or select casts from a show of hands for the festival productions. “We have a very committed committee and I’m confident they will make a good choice.”
Tracy Aisenstat, literary and theatre representative for St. Albert Cultivates the Arts Committee (organizers of the StArts Fest) had received 17 submissions for a playwriting competition. During a jury process, eight were selected and Aisenstat was casting around for directors and actors to mount the scripts that must run shorter than 30 minutes.
“Last year we had staged readings. This year I wanted to get the plays mounted and as close to a full-scale production as possible. With this new play group, I’m seeing it closer to my vision,” Aisenstat said.
About 22 actors ranging from teens to seniors are needed to realize these eight scripts along with directors, costumes, props, makeup, lights and minimal set pieces.
The scripts themselves range from drama-comedy, romance and historical drama to a mystery, straight comedy and a drama.
Nikki Nelson’s The Four Mommies describes four women’s experiences in either having or not having babies. Hans Potter’s Guys and Gals Guide to a Blind Date is touching comedic romance.
Gazette columnist David Haas has written two scripts. Scars looks at two men deeply troubled by events that occurred in their youth. And Stains is a Second World War tale of how totalitarian states rob people of their humanity.
Visual artist Pat Trudeau has explored a new artistic dimension in Mystery at the Fountain, a quest two old ladies undertake to find the missing pieces of their favourite park fountain. And Gina Bolton has created Taxes, Rednecks and Crap, a comedic one-man show.
“For two playwrights it was their first shot at writing a play,” Aisenstat said. Patricia Drapeau penned The Witness, a drama about a home invasion and Christine Babiak, member of Poet’s Ink, wrote The Crossing, a look a two immigrant seniors discussing their 1919 transatlantic sea crossing.
Aisenstat closed by saying, “I hope this will be a great new exhibition for this new group.”
The St. Albert United Church is located at 20 Green Grove Drive. For more information email [email protected].
