Even though the Studio Theatre is skating through new hoops to keep its existing home at the former Glendale Elementary school, the company is thriving.
“It was the best annual general meeting in years with 46 people in attendance,” says treasurer Michael Rawluk of the Oct. 21 meeting.
“An excellent meeting with great food and an improv show as well. It was very exciting to see so many people.”
Re-elected president Mary-Jo Hilyer was equally thrilled with the new interest and changes happening at the theatre since getting their new lease on the building in the fall.
“Everyone was thrilled with the changes,” Hilyer says. “… new paint, more space, all the posters put up throughout the lobby so that they can be viewed by everyone.
“We have a new improv group at the theatre. They performed after the AGM. They are putting on two Christmas performances on Nov. 30 at the Limelight.”
The executive remains unchanged with Hilyer returned as president; Stacey Poirier as vice-president; Becky Strickland as secretary; Michael Rawluk as treasurer; and Curt Sprickerhoff as director.
New directors are Kara Pare and Kathy MacDonald.
Rawluk says the company is also working on getting its newsletter up and running again.
In other Studio Theatre news, this year’s recipient of the Biddy Jones Performing Arts Bursary is Tabitha Campbell who graduated from Williams Lake Secondary School and is attending the University of Northern B.C.
The Biddy Jones Performing Arts Bursary is given to one deserving graduate each year who plans a future in the performing arts.
The Studio Theatre’s production of The Big Five-Oh! finishes its two-week run this week. The Big Five-Oh! is a hilarious, sometimes touching account of a grown man coming to terms with his age, his relationship with his son, and his future. It is the story of a middle-aged man finally growing up.
George Thomas, played by Jay Goddard, is turning 50 on Saturday, and it has been a terrible week.
His dog is sick, his son, Eric, played by newcomer Scott Smithson, is a slacker, and his daughter, Julie, played by Terra Mcguire, wants to marry a Republican, Douglas, played by Christopher Hutton.
A new recruit from high school theatre, Raylene Frances Tate plays Sara Donovan, one of George’s students.
Filling out the cast are George’s neurotic wife, Marie, played by Becky Strickland, and a widowed neighbour, Kathy Walters, played by well-known lakecity singer and actor, Sandi Alaric, who together provide more challenges than even George can overcome, making this possibly the worst week of his life.
The Studio Theatre has also set audition dates for the musical Urinetown. Auditions are set for Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m.
The play will be directed by Jay Goddard and includes a cast of 16 people ages 16 and up — eight men and eight women. There are three principle singing parts for men and three principle singing parts for women. For more information contact Jay Goddard at 250-392-1937.
The next production in the Studio Theatre season will be Glen Garry Glen Ross by David Mamet directed by Shane Tollefson that will be on stage in 2014, Jan. 29 to Feb 14 and Feb. 5 to 8.