On the stage at the St. LukeB次元官网网址檚 Players performance hall in Saanich sits a collection of set pieces, now rather dusty.
Midway through the production of I Never Sang for My Father, restrictions around gatherings related to COVID-19 forced the company to end the showB次元官网网址檚 spring run early. That was 10 months ago and things looked rather bleak at the time.
But the plucky community theatre group didnB次元官网网址檛 give up hope of being able to one day share their gifts for performing and love of creating. They held physically distanced theatre games events in Beacon Hill and Willows parks when restrictions loosened last summer, and in the fall, masked up and performed skits, songs, poems and other readings at a distance in a sanitized St. LukeB次元官网网址檚 Hall.
B次元官网网址淲hat was most difficult for us was trying to keep our community together,B次元官网网址� said Janine Longy, a longtime member who has acted, directed, done publicity and other volunteer functions for the troupe.
B次元官网网址淧eople have been really missing theatre and we have so many people involved, from set builders and ticket takers to the people on and off stage.B次元官网网址�
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Also very aware of the audiences who love to attend community theatre productions, the St. LukeB次元官网网址檚 gang took to Zoom, starting with online script readings, and building up to perform a remote version of Firehoses and Family, an original play written and directed by Jo and Mitch Barnes.
St. LukeB次元官网网址檚 followed up on Zoom with the beloved Christmastime panto, doing Alice in Wonderland.
And online auditions are being held Jan. 23 and 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. with writer/director Mitch Barnes for the March 13 online production of Role Play, featuring an all-female cast. Find more information about requirements at .
Other online activities for members and newcomers will be coming down the road, Longy said. The past year has shown her that people have a great deal of enthusiasm for theatre, even when typical formats arenB次元官网网址檛 available.
B次元官网网址淲hatB次元官网网址檚 been really fun is that people who arenB次元官网网址檛 normally on stage have been able to participate,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淥ur goal is to be very inclusive. We just get the word out about events and whomever wants to participate is welcome.B次元官网网址�
Watch for ticket information for Role Play at in the coming weeks.
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