A local production company is aspiring to put on at least two shows a year in Gimli.
A-Spire Players Inc. recently put out a production call for an upcoming show, and it’s looking for people of all abilities to join.
After electing a new board of officials late last year, A-Spire held a variety show where four performers and guest musicians took the stage — and it was a smashing success, selling out all 80 tickets more than a week before curtain call.
The current production call has the company asking for actors and backstage crew. Board chairman, Nathan Fletcher, said A-Spire has a number of talented and experienced people to train those without experience — whether it be acting, singing or working a sound board.
Anyone over 18-years-old can audition for a role in the production or work behind the scenes.
For those looking to get involved but don’t have a membership with A-Spire, Fletcher said they can purchase one for $20 upon auditioning or applying.
The upcoming production is still unknown, the director having narrowed down his seven scripts to his top two.
Fletcher said the final decision will be based on the number of cast members, and what the male/female split is.
Right now, A-Spire has 10 members, almost all of them women.
“To run a successful production, it would be nice to have at least double that,” Fletcher said. “Then we know every aspect of the theatre and performance is taken care of and run smoothly.”
Having a mostly female cast isn’t a problem in itself, said Fletcher, but the company needs more male performers to put on a wider variety of shows.
“With more male talent it would really boost the experience for A-Spire to really be able to explore more variety and options for scripts and performances,” he said.
The production call is open until Feb. 16 and is slated to happen mid- to late-June of this year, with rehearsals starting late February.
While A-Spire waits for the fun to start, the board members are making goals and plans to get their numbers back to what they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fletcher said the goal is to have a minimum of two productions each year, increasing that as they grow to possibly putting on multiple shows simultaneously.
Last summer, A-Spire put on the production Chance Encounters, a play that follows nine encounters taking place on a park bench over the course of one day in September. Performing that was four of the five current board members.
“We see the potential,” said Fletcher. “And we want to see the growth.”
He said this upcoming production will be something fun for the cast to perform and relatable for the audience, giving them something to come back to A-Spire for.
To get involved and be part of A-Spire’s upcoming production (and future ones), go to www.aspireplayers.ca and fill out the registration form by Feb. 16. After that, A-Spire will reach out to everyone on the next steps.
