The Ottawa School of Theatre (OST) is hosting a FUNraiser on April 12, in preparation for their upcoming, all-ages production of Anne of Green Gables from June 2-8.
“We’re celebrating 20 years of our all-ages plays this year, and so we’re doing that with this big production of Anne of Green Gables,” says Artistic Director of the Ottawa School of Theatre Megan Piercey Monafu. “It has 92 people in it, and in the lead-up to that production, we’re doing this fundraiser, which will be in the upper lobby of the Shenkman Arts Centre.”
This performance will also be directed by Kathi Langston, who was the Artistic Director of OST for 20 years — a testament to the longevity of the OST community.
Open to the public, folks can drop in and out as they wish to check out all the Anne-themed activities this fundraiser has to offer.
Anne of Green Gables FUNraiser Event poster. Photo provided.
Crafts for kids, an Anne of Green Gables-themed photo booth, a special brew by Stray Dogs Brewing based on raspberry cordial called “Mrs. Barry’s Nightmare”, tea and baked goods, and even a used book sale.
“And at the same time as this event is going on, there’s an Amazing Race Orléans happening that departs from our event at 11am, and the finish line is at our event, which we think will be around one o’clock,” says Monafu.
Teams will be travelling around Orléans doing different challenges with local businesses and will work in partnership with OST’s FUNraiser as a combined event, as the race is sponsored by the Heart of Orléans BIA.
“We have students from all over the city, but we’ve been based in Orléans for pretty much our entire history — so, for the last 36 years,” says Monafu. “It does have its own community, and there’s a real need for people now to support their local businesses.”
Monafu also says that maintaining a community atmosphere in support of both initiatives felt very aligned with what OST already promotes.
Speaking of this community atmosphere, this is exactly what OST is celebrating with 20 years of all-ages plays. OST usually puts on two performances a year, and it really does encompass a full spectrum of age groups.
Actors from OST’s Anne of Green Gables. Photo by Bruce Deachman.
“The all-ages plays are a multi-generational project,” she says. “Having these plays has really been a big part of OST’s identity over the years. This 20th anniversary is really a celebration of how the community comes together twice a year to make this happen, and we want to make a big fuss about how it’s special.”
What’s next for the future of the OST and all-ages performances in Ottawa? Monafu says there are a few projects that come to mind.
“I’ve been looking for supports and partnerships to do a French all-ages play,” she says. “We have lots of francophone students and community members.” Monafu also says that bringing other neighborhoods and communities together for all-ages plays would be another goal.
“It’s that special thing where it’s a time-limited artistic project where everybody has to pull together to make the moment happen,” she says. “It’s such a powerful way to get people talking to each other, get different generations talking to each other, working together, feeling accomplished together.”
Make sure you check out OST’s Anne of Green Gables FUNraiser at the Shenkman Arts Centre on April 12. For more information about the event, you can check out OST’s website. For information on the Heart of Orléans BIA Amazing Race fundraiser, you can also check out the BIA’s site. Buy tickets to OST’s performance of Anne of Green Gables at the FUNraiser, or online. The performance takes place June 6-8.
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