The Guild!
Arts
East was so excited to receive this guest post from Justin Shaw, a member of
The Guild’s Events Team. In this piece, he highlights what’s taking place at
the Charlottetown-based arts centre this summer (including Anne & Gilbert, which
kicks off Tuesday the 18th). Shaw also shares some of the intriguing background behind
each production/exhibit, and describes just enough detail to entice many an
audience member to attend each and every event!
Things are Looking Up: A Look at The Guild's 2013 Summer
Season
By
Justin Shaw
With
their new digital marquee installed, The Guild has never looked better!
As
their summer season quickly approaches, this new marquee will be illuminating
the variety of summer shows the arts venue has to offer. This summer season,
The Guild will be the busiest it has ever been. New to The Guild stage this
year is the hit musical Anne & Gilbert, which tells the tale
of Prince Edward Island's favourite red-head as she travels to college, begins
her first job, and falls in love.
The
Guild will also be welcoming back some of their returning shows, Julia Suave
will be returning with a new black-light children's theatre production, and the
Popalopalots will be returning with more live improv comedy. The Guild not only
houses performing arts, as the newly renovated gallery will be featuring two
brand-new exhibits in July and August. Based on the range of diversity of this
summer’s repertoire, it is clear that The Guild is capable of catering to a
wide variety of arts-enthusiasts.
Anne
& Gilbert
On
January 31st, 2013, The Guild officially announced that Anne
& Gilbert would be included in The Guild's summer season. This
prompted a series of major alterations to benefit the production. The stage
set-up has been repositioned within the theatre, and risers have been installed
to accommodate larger audience numbers. While the changes to the theatre space have
required a lot work, The Guild staff knows the effort is worthwhile to help
enhance the quality of this critically acclaimed production.
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Charlottetown
Mayor Clifford Lee even expressed his sincere thanks to “The Guild staff for
providing a great venue for the Anne & Gilbert musical.” This
musical is an important part of Prince Edward Island tourism, as it features
one of Lucy Maude Montgomery's most iconic characters entering adulthood. The
success of this production is not limited to the Island, as this show has been
celebrated all across North America on over forty different stages. While it
may have travelled all over the continent, Anne Shirley will finally be
returning home to Prince Edward Island.
“Another one of the many strengths of this
production is the experienced talent involved in bringing it to life.”
Another
one of the many strengths of this production is the experienced talent involved
in bringing it to life. Martha Irving is directing Anne & Gilbert
for the third time in her career, and Brittany Banks, who has been involved in
all of the seven previous Island productions of this show, has choreographed
the musical. Anne & Gilbert will be the most frequently performed
show at The Guild this summer, as it will be presented eight times a week,
running from June 18th until October 13th.
The Mermaid and The Droplets
While
The Guild is pleased to invite new works into the theatre space, returning
artists are also being welcomed back this season. For the past few years, The
Guild has partnered with Luminosity Black Light Theatre to produce shows
utilizing a black-light theatre medium. This summer, Luminosity Artistic
Director, Julia Sauve, is pleased to present The
Mermaid and The Droplets. This play
explores the importance of the water cycle, and reminds audiences how all
humans, plants, and creatures impact nature.
According to Sauve, “Luminosity Black Light Theatre is the only
one of its kind in the Maritimes.” This show incorporates black-light
technology with bright costuming in order to create a stunning visual
experience.
While the visual effects of the show are remarkable, The
Mermaid and The Droplets also presents a thoughtful perspective to
important social concerns, such as the state of the environment, cultural diversity,
and the need to protect endangered species. These themes are expressed through
drama, dance, and music, making The Mermaid and The Droplets a theatre
experience like no other. This show is geared towards youth audiences; however,
Sauve is very confident that this production will create an authentic
experience that will “speak to kids of all ages about our world.” The Mermaid and The Droplets will be
presented at The Guild throughout July and August on various dates.
The Popalopalots!
“It's like a group of people all
agreeing to get into an airplane, fly up to 15,000 feet and jump out at the
same time, and together, as we plummet to earth, we attempt to construct for
ourselves a giant parachute out of whatever materials we each happen to find in
our pockets…”
For added entertainment, the Popalopalots also utilize suggestions
from the audience that can help shape the scene and place the performers into
often ridiculous situations. “It's like a group of people all agreeing to get
into an airplane, fly up to 15,000 feet and jump out at the same time, and
together, as we plummet to earth, we attempt to construct for ourselves a giant
parachute out of whatever materials we each happen to find in our pockets,”
said Rob MacDonald, on the subject of performing improv. “Hearts pound and
pulses race. Sometimes we smash into the metaphorical ground, other times the
wind takes us and we float to entirely unexpected worlds—but every time it is
absolutely exhilarating and alive.” This excitement can be witnessed at the The
Guild on Saturdays throughout the summer.
Art Exhibits
The Guild is not only housing a wide-range of different performing arts this season, as the gallery space will also be a popular attraction with two new exhibits. In July, NSCAD graduate Alexis Bulman will be presenting her exhibit called Life for 20 Cents. This exhibit is a mixed media series that is composed of printed sources from old telephone books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and handwritten letters.
The Guild is not only housing a wide-range of different performing arts this season, as the gallery space will also be a popular attraction with two new exhibits. In July, NSCAD graduate Alexis Bulman will be presenting her exhibit called Life for 20 Cents. This exhibit is a mixed media series that is composed of printed sources from old telephone books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and handwritten letters.
Bulman says that she conceived the idea
for the exhibit during a trip to a yard sale when she came across a large
collection of old Life magazines, and was attracted by the vibrant
colours within the images, as well as the amusing straightforwardness of some
of the advertisements. Using the magazines, as well as similar materials,
Bulman intends to contest “the division between the realm of memory and the
realm of experience.”
Following Life in 20 Cents will be
Dave Stewart's exhibit Art Hole. Stewart's exhibit consists
of a collection of works from a variety of different contributors, including
professional artists, graphic designers, advertisers, library technicians, and
even doctors. There is a very wide diversity among the styles and the
backgrounds of the contributors, which Stewart feels is part of the strength of
the exhibit. While their works may be very different, they all share what
Stewart feels to be one of the most important elements of art: a point of view.
Stewart has requested that the contributing artists strive to create a piece
that represents the artists challenging themselves, which, in turn, will challenge
the viewer to think and feel about what the work means. “I have never believed that art has to be pretty, but I do believe that
it should make an impact,” says Stewart, who is excited to be presenting his
work at The Guild gallery this August.
“While their works may
be very different, they all share what Stewart feels to be one of the most
important elements of art: a point of view.”
This summer at The Guild, there is something for all supporters
and fans of art and entertainment. For the musical theatre enthusiasts, Anne
& Gilbert is sure to warm hearts with its superb blend of story, song,
and dance. Youth audiences are bound to enjoy The Mermaid and The Droplets
with its mesmerizing lighting effects, and informative subject matter. Deep
down, everybody wants to laugh – the Popalopalots' antics and hilarious scene
creations will be leaving audience members in stitches. The gallery at The
Guild will also provide two different exhibits throughout July and August, both
of which were crafted with the intention of challenging the viewer to think and
feel. When looking up at The Guild's new digital marquee as the event names
flash across the screen, one thing is certain: during the summer 2013 season,
The Guild has something for everyone.
