While so much is still uncertain about when and how we can gather together again for a night at the theatre, the Cranbrook Community Theatre Board of Directors (CCT) and many other volunteers have been hard at work developing novel ways to responsibly provide community theatre arts to everyone amid the pandemic.

With new funding provided through Columbia Basin Trust (the Trust), CCT has come up with a few fun ideas to satiate your theatre thirst until we can return to a more traditional in-person live stage setting.

“First, you will be able to revisit some of your favourite past community theatre productions via the internet through The CCT Encore Series,” stated Trevor Lundy, CCT’s Production Manager.

Access to these streamed videos will be by donation per viewer (suggested at $10) with donations of $50 or more to receive a charity tax receipt. This fundraiser, aimed at recovering some of the lost revenues from having to eliminate two productions from the year, will be matched by Mike Paugh of IG Wealth Management up to $500 for each of the presentations. The dates, names of productions, and how to make your donation will be announced once licensing has been completed.

Secondly, a weekly monologue series is being explored, pairing talented local community actors and directors, and airing though the CCT Facebook page. Updates will be posted at https://www.cranbrookcommunitytheatre.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/CranbrookCommunityTheatre/ .

But that’s not all.

CCT has a couple of productions in the works for the fall and winter. They are hoping to combine live-streaming with small, socially distant, in-person audiences. The Trust’s funding has also assisted with adapting the Studio/Stage Door with equipment and signs to ensure safe, responsible operations for volunteers, renters and attending audiences.

More details of these innovative productions will be coming as soon as they are finalized.

“We are very excited for the coming core season as we think the programs will be unlike anything our audiences have seen before,” added Lundy.

There is no doubt that COVID-19 has impacted the arts and culture sector drastically. A recent Canadian National survey showed that Arts organizations that operate a facility were impacted to a much higher degree than others in the industry.

“Cranbrook’s Studio/Stage Door heritage building has now reopened to welcome back venue renters for community programs and will be conducting altered theatre works with new safety protocols in place thanks to Columbia Basin Trust,” stated Peter Schalk, CCT President.

Lead image: Backstage – 2010 Live Radio Play of It’s a Wonderful Life. CCT Archive photo

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