By Pepper Parr
July 8th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
This city of ours has a tradition of people giving back to their community in a number of ways. For some there is a pretty clear line from the giving to the financial return – charity is good business.
There are others who have done exceptionally well and the just write cheques – more often than not without any form of return – many prefer their gift to be anonymous.
Others get known for what they do – because that is what they do.
Each year for the past two years – and again this year on July 17th – there will be an outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew on the large lawn (small field) behind the offices of Thinkspot in Lowville.
There is something about good theatre taking place in the open on a summer evening as dusk works its way to sunset and the night begins to close in.
Last year the performance was Hamlet, done by the same company of actors: Driftwood Theatre Company.
In some comments made by Driftwood Artistic Director, Jeremy Smith, one can get a sense of what goes into the production that takes place on a makeshift stage,
“Casting a production is never simple” said Smith, “and it represents for me the very best and worst aspects of my job. I both love and loathe this annual process of narrowing a field of over 400 candidates to exactly the right combination of 8-10 individuals.
“From one perspective the casting process is filled with unknown opportunities. At any moment someone can enter the audition room and bring that unexpected quality that you didn’t even know you were looking for – one which takes your thinking about a play in new and surprising directions. The challenge is always to create an auditioning environment where, within a very short amount of time (usually 10-15 minutes), a sense of trust and play can be built between the auditioner and the auditionee. And when you do engage with someone in a meaningful way, it’s a great room to be in.
“From another perspective, there is the constant knowledge that in nearly 90% of the cases, you’re going to end up saying ‘no’ to the person who walks in the door. This is something I’ve never really gotten used to – even after over 4,000 auditions. It’s a serious downer. Auditioning is an imperfect system: one fraught with both excitement and considerable stress.”
Bring a folding seat an enjoy an evening of fine theatre.
It is that “unexpected quality” that makes summer theatre the delight that it is. These actors make peanuts, they travel around in a beat up old bus and are always repairing something because there is no money for new things.
They do what they do for the love of the stage – it is not something you want to miss.
The Thinkspot production leads into the second annual Lowville Festival that is being held at different location in the hamlet. The link below sets out the Festival schedule. The people making the Lowville Festival happen believe here is an opportunity to create an event that will become a staple in summer activities that are not focused on the waterfront.
If you think this city is blessed with a great south end – meander up north and get a sense of what rural Burlington is all about – and if you want a fuller appreciation for how Burlington blends its rural and urban parts – take in the Rural – Urban exhibit that is at the Art Gallery.
ThinkSpot’s Debra Pickfield – the hat – let her explain that to you.
And lastly, if you see Debra Pickfield walking around the grounds on the 17th – thank her for making the Taming of the Shrew production happen.
