Community theatre is just as good as professional theatre, just without the price tag.
That乌鸦传媒檚 the message embedded in Theatre BC乌鸦传媒檚 Okanagan Zone Festival (Ozone), which takes Vernon乌鸦传媒檚 Powerhouse Theatre stage May 19-25, said administrator Richard Kerton.
乌鸦传媒淐ommunity theatre companies do shows at the same level as the professionals, but they do it because they love it,乌鸦传媒� Kerton said. 乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 not something performed to kids in a high school. We乌鸦传媒檝e moved past that era.乌鸦传媒�
The Ozone, one of Theatre BC乌鸦传媒檚 10 zones, sees seven theatre companies from Princeton to Kamloops perform nightly in Vernon for a chance at claiming Best Production.
Adjudicated by professional dramaturge Andrew McIlroy, the winner of Best Production will then compete against other zone winners in Theatre BC乌鸦传媒檚 provincial Mainstage festival in Vernon June 29 to July 6.
乌鸦传媒淭he object is to be the best,乌鸦传媒� Kerton laughed. 乌鸦传媒淭he Okanagan has strong theatre companies. There乌鸦传媒檚 a lot of community theatre in this zone and it builds stronger support. Some are doing really good work but it乌鸦传媒檚 tough for them to get to that point.乌鸦传媒�
Ozone festivities kick off with Vernon乌鸦传媒檚 own Powerhouse Theatre and their performance of Calendar Girls.
乌鸦传媒淚 know Calendar Girls is doing really well,乌鸦传媒� Kerton said of the performance that runs until May 12.
Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 Fred Skeleton brings The Drowning Girls May 20, followed by KCTS Kelowna Theatre Society乌鸦传媒檚 The Fighting Season May 21, Salmon Arm乌鸦传媒檚 Shuswap Theatre with Perfect Pie May 22, Kamloops Players Society乌鸦传媒檚 two one-acts Whisper into my Good Ear and Mrs. Dally has a Lover May 23, Oliver乌鸦传媒檚 South Okanagan Amateur Players with Outside Mullingar May 24 and Princeton乌鸦传媒檚 Crimson Tine Players with A Fine Monster You Are May 25.
Following the nightly performances, McIlroy will lead a coffee critique where ticket holders and theatre companies have the opportunity to come together and gain professional insight. Because for Kerton, that乌鸦传媒檚 truly what Ozone is about.
乌鸦传媒淭his is one way of bringing everyone together to get that advice, and it builds collaborative efforts,乌鸦传媒� Kerton said. 乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檝e been doing this a long time so I乌鸦传媒檓 passionate about it.乌鸦传媒�
Coffee critiques also allow the audience to participate and learn the backbones of what goes into putting a production on stage.
At the end of the week, McIlroy will announce the winners as the theatre companies and audience enjoy dinner during the Ozone Awards Banquet at the Schubert Centre May 26.
And, after the winner is announced, it will be time to gear up for Mainstage, which will be in Vernon for the second consecutive year.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 a bit of a challenge because doing it back to back takes up a lot of resources,乌鸦传媒� Kerton said of Mainstage.
Next year, the festival will be held in Port Alberni.
乌鸦传媒淚t moves around to highlight that community and bring to the forefront the aspects of community theatre and the gems about that theatre,乌鸦传媒� Kerton said.
Tickets to Ozone Festival events are $25 single show, $69 three day pass, $110 five day pass or $140 seven-day pass for all events excluding the banquet, for which tickets are $40. For showtimes and to purchase tickets, contact the Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, .
