Theatre Northwest is getting artists back on the stage and in the spotlight with three new stage reading productions from a couple of new artists in residence.
Stage readings have been used by Theatre Northwest for a number of plays throughout the pandemic as a way for the company to adapt to social distancing guidelines.
“Influence” by Janet Munsil will be showcased on October 14 and 15, which is produced and directed by a new artist in residence who just moved to Prince George last year, Michelle Cyr.
Cyr says she’s ready to embrace Northern BC after acting professionally and teaching acting at a post-secondary school in Vancouver for the last six years.
“It’s like coming home,” Cyr says of the theatre community, “I am so excited about all the creation going on!”
On October 22 and 23, “Waiting for the Parade” by John Murrell takes the stage, followed by “Speed Dating for Sperm Donors” by Natalie Meisner on October 29.
Local City Councillor, Kyle Sampson will be a reader in “Speed Dating for Sperm Donors”, which is produced by Julian Legere, another new artist in residence at Theatre Northwest.
The production is a semi-autobiographical work from a married lesbian couple in Calgary that is part of Theatre Northwest’s new series of LGBTQ+ pride stage readings.
Legere worked at the Massey Theatre and as a freelance and independent artist in Vancouver for several years before the pandemic changed the landscape of the theatre industry.
He’s appeared in, directed, and/or written dozens of plays and hopes to incorporate his bisexuality into his upcoming works.
“Opportunities to engage with my queerness have been rare, and I want to create more such opportunities for myself and for other queer theatre artists,” he said.
Additionally, Legere says he is excited to bring his passion for youth engagement to Theatre Northwest.
“The arts have so much power to build more vibrant, inclusive, equitable communities; which I look forward to working toward with this residency,” added Legere.
Tickets to these productions will be available on the Theatre Northwest website.
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