Are theatres safe to watch a live production? The Citadel Theatre thinks so and it is banking its reputation with Horizon Lab.
The venerable Edmonton theatre company is leading the charge in an attempt to thaw the COVID-19 paralysis that has cocooned the entertainment industry.
Its fresh new product, the Horizon Lab (running Aug. 28 and 29), will deliver in-person performances highlighting BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), LGBTQ and disabled artists.
There is more than a sense of political correctness about this program. It is theatre’s responsibility to introduce numerous concepts and ideas, and assist both mainstream and fringe artists to thrive – not just survive.
As a means of returning to in-person cultural programming, five teams have each been commissioned to generate new, quite possibly raw 10-minute pieces for the Shoctor Theatre.
They must devise brand new material from one prompt, “Where Are Your Stories?”, and use an evocative one-set-for-all that incorporates spheres, levels, fabric and moveable blocks.
Organizers are keenly aware that people are wary of enclosed spaces involving close or prolonged contact. To tone down concerns, organizers have applied strict physical distancing rules using Alberta Health Services’ template.
It is releasing only 100 free tickets per performance. Normally, the Shoctor Theatre seats 681 theatregoers.
“Not everyone will feel comfortable coming to the theatre to see a performance and we’ll be showing it online for a short time after the run,” said Mieko Ouchi, a member of the Citadel’s new associate artistic team.
Horizon Lab was launched after artistic director Darryl Cloran hired Ouchi, Helen Belay and Tai Amy Grauman to diversify the company’s play presentations.
“In discussions with Darryl, the seed was planted to create more diverse programming with Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ and disabled artists,” said Ouchi.
The aim of the project is not only to entertain, but also to illuminate the world we live in and confront our current times.
Fourteen artists are involved in the project, including St. Albert Children’s Theatre alumna Cynthia Jimenez-Hicks (A Christmas Carol) who pairs up with wheelchair bound Carly Neis.
“Cynthia and Carly have been friends since elementary school. It’s a long friendship that’s turned into an artistic partnership,” Ouchi said.
Indigenous actor Todd Houseman and Columbian actor Lady Vanessa have invited recent Bachelor of Fine Arts graduates Christina Nguyen and Sheldon Stockdale to create another edgy work.
Houseman and Cardonna are responsible for the Fringe success of Whiteface, an explosive piece that explores identity and colonization using movement, masks, satire and humour.
Playwright/actor Mac Brock and Black actor-activist Tasana Clarke join forces for another compelling playlet.
Brock, of Vena Amoris Projects, was the recipient of the $25,000 Westbury Family Fringe Theatre Award he used to create Tracks. It is an immersive project where an ensemble of actors perform a series of vignettes with wide-ranging themes online.
“It was a really incredible piece, one of the first performed on Zoom. In this experience, you could go to different rooms.”
Dancer/actor Richard Lee Hsi and fight choreographer Morgan Yamada are twinned to produce a physical performance piece.
And Mohamed Ahmed and Elena Eli Belyea with Mahalia Carter-Jamerson are emerging artists who have created arresting pieces.
“Mohamed is a Black man who talks about race and culture and Elena talks about gender Identity and queer culture. Both are very political,” noted Ouchi.
Tickets to the shows are free first come, first serve. Online links for tickets are at citadeltheatre.com/2019-2020/horizon-lab.
“I think this will be a grand adventure – five different pieces by the city’s most exciting artists. Come, be surprised and enjoy great live performances.”
