By Charlotte Morrison
World Theatre Day is celebrated annually on March 27 and has been a staple in the arts for 64 years, and this year was no exception. This World Theatre Day, local performers and directors remind communities why live theatre matters.
“Come to the theatre, forget about what else is happening in the world and immerse yourself,” said Corey Pelow, who has been an actor at the Ottawa Little Theatre for 33 years.
“The magic of when the lights start to go down and the theatre curtain rises, that moment when you have no idea what you’re in for … you literally don’t know what kind of world you are stepping into,” said Brad Lepp, the executive director of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres, also known as PACT.
It’s a wild art form where everything else is so curated. The algorithm tells you what you think you will like,” he said. “Theatre is wild, still.
This World Theatre Day, Lepp reflected on theatre’s unique power to unite people in our isolated society.
“Theatre makes a healthier society, a safer society, and a more civically engaged society,” he said. Lepp explained that theatre and art forms with high collaboration levels are linked to civic engagement. “You’re more likely to vote, volunteer, and engage with your community when you experience live theatre… that civic impact is a role that we’re really leaning into,” he said, explaining PACT.
“My hope is that people come and just forget about the day-to-day stuff,” said Pelow. “We’re in a culture now where everybody’s rolling screens and streaming and in front of a computer screen. So to experience live theatre with real people… it is something that kind of goes back to a simpler time,” Pelow continued.
Two people walking toward the doors of The National Arts Centre in Ottawa, ON. The venue highlights Canadian theatre performances year-round. Photo by Charlotte Morrison.
“We kind of wanted to select shows that reflect our community a little bit better, and so we wanted to emphasize… theatre is just such a diverse place,” said Aahana Uppal, the co-artistic director of Carleton University’s Sock ‘n’ Buskin theatre company.
Sock ‘n’ Buskin put on three shows this year, each telling a unique and universal story. “[We did] 1984 which was quite relatable at the time because of the elections,” said Uppal. On choosing the theatre company’s shows, Uppal said they, “[keep] in mind what feels relevant.”
However, many theatre creators work with little to no financial gain.
A lot of the time, it’s not often a paid job or opportunity,” said Uppal. “People do it out of pure love for the community.
Lepp highlighted the challenges the theatre sector faces in a technology-based society. “There’s a lot of anxiety about economic uncertainty, as we want to support our artists and our arts workers. The cost of living is quite high, so that’s a real challenge,” he said.
“Every theatre across this country has affordable ticket options [and] accessible ticket options, whether that’s for seniors or for students or rush tickets,” he said. “Even though times are tough, it’s important that everyone can still experience the magic of live theatre.”
Seats leading to the stage of The Kailash Mital Theatre at Carleton University, where Sock ‘n’ Buskin performs. Photo by Charlotte Morrison.
To mark World Theatre Day, theatres across Canada aimed to remind the public of their essential role. PACT engaged in a series of social media posts, selecting Canadian theatre ambassadors, and collaborating with Canada’s Theatre Museum in Toronto for a celebration event on March 27.
Ottawa-based community theatres also celebrated in many forms. Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s members engaged with social media posts and shared their best theatre moments. Whereas the Ottawa Little Theatre made a toast during their rehearsal for an upcoming show.
The stats around loneliness and isolation are at an all-time high… we’re the antidote,” said Lepp. “Show up… that’s the best thing you can do.
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