Guelph Little Theatre (GLT) is shining the spotlight on the best in live performance, setting the stage to host the Western Ontario Drama League (WODL) Festival, March 11-16.
The event brings together five of the top-rated community theatre productions, to be performed on GLT’s stage by competing groups from across the region.
“The festival is a very exciting time for community theatres, and we’re proud to be hosting the 80th birthday party this year,” said GLT president Ron Loncke. WODL held its first festival in 1933.
“It’s an opportunity for community theatre groups to come together, learn from each other, showcase their productions, and earn recognition for their efforts,” says Loncke. “And with five shows over five evenings, right here in Guelph, I’m sure our local audiences are in for a treat.”
The five productions chosen to appear at the festival will be announced on Feb. 17 by preliminary adjudicator Ross Stuart, following several months of individual adjudications conducted throughout the region.
Each of the shows selected to appear at the festival will be performed in Guelph once during March break (March 11-15), with all shows to be adjudicated for awards in several artistic and technical categories.
The awards will be presented at the gala held at Guelph Holiday Inn on Mar 16.
The show that wins the WODL ‘best production’ award will be invited to compete with winners from other provincial regions in May at the Theatre Ontario festival in Kingston.
In preparation for the festival in Guelph, GLT completed extensive renovations to its Morris Street theatre facility, including new flooring, technical upgrades and new seating, provided through local fundraising and a generous grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Tickets are available now for all five festival performances at GLT, as well as the awards gala. Each show ticket includes the performance, a brief public adjudication and admission to the after-show reception at the theatre.
In addition to the five performances, ticket holders can also attend workshops and presentations by guest artists including playwright Gary Kirkham and acting coach Alan K. Sapp.
This year marks the seventh time GLT will host the regional festival. Last year, GLT’s production of “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” earned several awards including best production at the WODL Festival 2012 in Sarnia.
Tickets and information are available online at www.guelphlittletheatre.com, or by phone at the GLT box office at 519-821-0270.
