Instead of exploring the question, "How do we bring people to the theatre?" Sum Theatre asks, "How do we bring the theatre to the people?"
For artistic director Joel Bernbaum, "Accessibility means eliminating every possible barrier to participation in the theatre experience." His solution was to present professional, live theatre free-of-charge in public parks, with original performances that appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Theatre in the Park was first held in summer 2013, with an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland presented in 16 parks across Saskatoon. Bernbaum and his team were hoping for at least 50 audience members per show, but ended up with close to 400 in some cases. In total, more than 4,000 people saw the show.
Without the restriction of a theatre or tent, artists have the freedom to flex their creative muscles. Elaborate sets, costumes, props and staging surprise and delight audiences: Alice cries water balloon "tears," the hookah-smoking caterpillar exhales thousands of bubbles over the crowd, and the Queen's playing cards spray-paint each other. The unique physical features of each park, such as trees, hills and slopes, are also incorporated into the production. "It is our challenge as theatre artists to embrace the conditions outside and also do things we could never do indoors. The sky, literally, is the limit," Bernbaum says.
The theatre partners with the Children's Discovery Museum to provide interactive programming before shows, engages community associations to ensure accessibility, and provides mentorship for emerging Aboriginal actors and stage managers.
Instead of "passing the hat" for donations, Sum Theatre asks audience members to introduce themselves to someone new before leaving the park. "There's something magical about sharing an artistic experience in your own neighbourhood and connecting with people afterward. It showcases the power of community building and the power of theatre at the same time," says Bernbaum.
Sum Theatre plans to increase the number of community partnerships and park locations for its tour of an adaptation of The Pied Piper from July 4 to 23, 2014.
Sum Theatre receives annual funding from the Professional Arts Organizations Program.
Front page: Joel Bernbaum and Louisa Ferguson in Sum Theatre's adaptation of Alice in Wonderland.
Top: An audience enjoying Alice in Wonderland in a Saskatoon city park.
Above: Kaitlyn Semple, Dalton Lightfoot, Louisa Ferguson and Kristen Holfeuer in Alice in Wonderland.
Left: Louisa Ferguson, Dalton Lightfoot, Joel Bernbaum and Kristen Holfeuer in Alice in Wonderland.
Photos: Matt Ramage.