Canadore College theatre arts students perform a newly adapted version of Shakespeare's As You Like It for the 2014 Rep 21 season. PHOTO BY STEVE NEWMAN
Two years worth of intense research, studying and arduous rehearsal is being put to the test after theatre arts students at Canadore College launched the 2014 Rep 21 season at the Capital Centre Wednesday night.
This year the graduating Canadore crew is performing Shakespeare’s As You Like It, with a modernized Canadian angle to the pastoral comedy.
The company, which is North Bay’s only repertory theatre group, has worked on this particular production for the better part of a year. Now, what began as a mere workshop experiment has evolved into a professional-scale spectacle.
“It’s a culmination of everything we’ve learned within the program, so I feel like it’s the entire program put into one show,” said Kaitlyn Stewart, who plays the show’s heroine, Rosalind. “I don’t think at the beginning of the year we would’ve been able to do a show like this, but with the instructors and the amount of time we’ve spent with them, we’ve definitely grown a lot as a class.”
The show has been adapted and directed by program coordinator Rod Carley, who says the original story is given an ambience from a historical period that is much stranger and older, yet near enough to contemporary times for a working analogy.
And, as if Shakespeare material wasn’t challenging enough to learn and perform, the performance has been set in pre-confederation Lower Canada (modern day Quebec) during the Rebellion of 1837.
“There’s never really a point where it stops, where it’s perfect,” said Zachary Smithers, who plays Orlando. “That’s one of the things I’ve learned from doing this show, you can always push yourself even further and you always need to call on what you’ve learned.
“This is a big step for me as a performer; getting the chance to go out on stage to do this kind of show with this kind of epic scale is amazing.”
For the first time in the program’s history, Canadore has teamed up with the Capitol Centre for their North Bay performances. Instead of sticking to the typical format of the stage being performer-only territory, audience members join the actors on stage for a more intimate vibe.
With only 65 seats available on stage for each performance, Carley says the exclusivity of event can be a true test of the students’ acquired skills. With the limited amount of seating, some theatregoers were turned away at the door on opening night.
“They can play moments that are very small and very honest, and it’s right there in front of the audience for them to share it with,” Carley explained. “It’s a great exercise in focus and concentration.
“There’s nowhere to hide, and that’s a good thing for their training,” he continued.
Admission for the show is free, but financial donations are encouraged in support of The Gathering Place, who are currently in their third year of collaboration with the theatre company. According to Gathering Place Executive Director Jill Clarke, donations from last year’s Rep 21 season were in excess of $2,000.
This year, after opening night alone, Clarke reports that nearly $850 was donated at the gate. But beyond the cash and food donations, Clarke says it’s the principle of reducing the barrier to entry that her organization admires.
“Poverty stops you from doing a lot of the things that make life rich and fulfilling, so by opening this up to anyone for a donation, or nothing, I know for a fact that over half a dozen of our regular clientele have been to a live play for the first time in their lives,” Clarke said of the unique partnership. “If you can open up a door for somebody, who knows where it could lead?
“For many people, it’s their first exposure to live theatre, so that is a wonderful thing,” Clarke continued. “The fact that they approached us and said they wanted to make this accessible by not charging and taking donations instead is great.”
Cecil’s Beer and Eatery Society is also donating 10 per cent of all food sales to the gathering place for show-goers who eat at the restaurant before a performance.
After wrapping up at the Capital Centre after Saturday’s performance, cast and crew alike will set up at the Theatre Passe Muraille in downtown Toronto from July 23-26.
While it’s one thing to perform in front of family, friends and familiar faces from the North Bay area, showcasing their work for prospective agents, directors and talent representatives is a whole new level of exposure for the out-going class.
But as leading lady Stewart explains, it’s not just about individual performances.
“I have a lot of pride for North Bay,” she said. “It’s great to represent that we’re here, we can stand on our own, and we can show you great theatre.”
