Sign up for the battlefordsNOW newsletter

Battlefords Community Players counting down to opening night

Sep 23, 2018 | 12:00 PM

The Battlefords Community Players are kicking off the theater season with their production of “Goodbye to the Clown,” running from Sept. 27 to Sept. 29.  

Donna Challis is the executive producer for the Battlefords Community Players and has been involved with the organization for nearly 50 years, since she was a child.

Challis told battlefordsNOW the Community Players’ opening show, Goodbye to the Clown, is sure to be an entertaining adventure for the whole family.

“It is a comedy, and it’s a short play,” Challis said. “It’s about a young girl who’s in trouble at school because she can’t quite distinguish between what’s in her imagination and what is reality.”

Although it is known primarily as a comedy, Challis said people attending the show can expect to experience a wide range of emotions throughout the performance.

“It gives you an opportunity to laugh at the antics that are going on but also I think it’s got a touch of sadness in it as well,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun, but there is that emotion to it too.”

Auditions for the play were held at the tail-end of July, with the cast rehearsing at least once a week since the first of August.

People from all over the Battlefords and area will be taking part in the production, with actors ranging in ages from 10 to 45.

Goodbye to the Clown is the first of five productions put on by the Battlefords Community Players this season. There will also be productions still to come in October, November, February, and April.

Challis said in addition to performing, there are many off-stage opportunities for those wanting to get involved with the Battlefords Community Players throughout the theatre season.

Volunteers are always needed to take tickets and help at the concession, as well as work backstage on lights, sound, and hanging posters for event promotion.

“There are positions open for anybody that wants to come, we have no restrictions,” Challis said. “Our facility is open for everyone, and it is accessible for anyone.”  

Challis was also adamant that without the community’s support like they have received, both in helping put the production together and supporting it by attending the shows, the stage productions in the community would not be where they are today.

“I think the support we’ve had in the Battlefords over the many, many years has just been phenomenal,” Challis said gladly. “We’re extremely grateful for that support and hope to see it continue. We’ve even added more nights to make it easier [for more people to come see the show].”   

For more information on how to get involved with the Battlefords Community Players, or to view showtimes, visit their website or find them on Facebook.

 

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

MartyMartyPxP1