How do we come together when we are unable to gather? For 45 years, Western Canada Theatre has been a cultural pillar of the Kamloops community and the TNRD. We have been a gathering place for people, ideas, discussions and emotions. Though we are currently unable to bring you to the theatre in person, we are making use of the opportunity to explore and strengthen that bond with our community through a different media and a variety of angles. In the spirit of togetherness there will be plenty of opportunities for the audience to contribute and participate by sharing their stories, taking part in contests and trivia, and joining in Q&A sessions, with chances to win some great prizes from our favourite local businesses.
We will be producing some original videos to view on-demand, as well as our popular live virtual watch parties. In addition to the videos, we will be introducing “Knowing Us, Knowing You… Uh-Huh,” a cheekily-named series of stories, articles, and clips (shared across our website, blog, newsletter and social media) spotlighting our staff and volunteers, our sponsors and partners in the community, WCT’s history, and YOU. We want to hear from you why WCT is such a special part of your lives, and we’ll be featuring some of these stories as part of Togather. Make sure to visit wctlive.ca, sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on social media to learn more. Here are just a couple of the events that we have planned, there will be more to come throughout the next few months.
Photo (Knowing Us, Knowing You): The Cast of WCT’s MAMMA MIA! Set & Costumes: IVAN BROZIC; Lighting: GAIL KSIONZYK | Photo: Barbara Zimonick
From The Sagebrush, with Love
February 11th – 20th (Live Watch Party Feb. 13th at 7:30pm)
The Sagebrush Theatre is home to WCT’s mainstage series and our favourite gathering place. Our holiday musicals alone see up to 13,000 viewers each year. Join Eva Tavares (‘Christine’ in The North American Tour of The Phantom of the Opera; WCT’s The Snow Must Go On) as she performs songs from classic Broadway musicals to create a love letter to the stage, and fills the Sagebrush with song, once more.
The Live Virtual Watch Party (Facebook Live and YouTube) on February 13th will be hosted by Artistic Director, James MacDonald and include interviews and Q&As, a cocktail-making session with the folks at Gin Lane and Red Collar Brewing, and Musical Theatre Trivia, hosted by Eva and James, with a chance to win a local “staycation” prize package from Double Tree by Hilton, Harvest Restaurant, and Gin Lane.
A Broad’s Way Cabaret: The Stage Is Hers
March 8th – 14th (Live Watch Party March 8th at 7:30pm)
This is our second cabaret celebrating and supporting International Women’s Day, and this time it is being helmed by an all-female group of WCT team members. The cabaret will go online this year, but it will still feature a wide variety of local emerging and established artists and groups. Acts include theatre, dance, music, stand-up comedy and visual art. This year’s cabaret will highlight the work of Kamloops Immigrant Services, a charity that does a great deal for women in the community. The Live Virtual Watch Party will be hosted by our team of female creators, and it will feature a companion meal to be picked up from the Noble Pig. In addition, we will be releasing teaser videos in the week leading up to the event.
We are offering all of these events free of charge, so they can be enjoyed by everybody. In order to ensure that we can continue to offer this kind of programming, consider making a donation to Western Canada Theatre, if you have the means. We are also grateful for the support of our sponsors for this event: