Posts Tagged ‘Press release’

KWMP To Provide Pay-What-You-Can Rehearsal and Performance Space To Help Local Arts Community Recover From COVID-19

KITCHENER – Local performing arts group Kitchener-Waterloo Musical Productions (KWMP) has received funding from the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation’s (KWCF) COVID-19 Arts Sustainability and Recovery Fund, and The Lyle S. Hallman Fund. The funding will allow KWMP to safely reopen the KWMP Community Arts Centre, and provide the local performing arts community with access to free or subsidized rehearsal and performance space, through a Pay What You Can model. 

There is a real need for affordable rehearsal and performance space in Waterloo Region. This need has been documented in countless reports by all levels of Government and the local performing arts community. This need has only increased due to COVID-19, as spaces that performing arts groups have come to rely on have closed their doors, stopped renting or increased rents.

KWMP owns and operates the KWMP Community Arts Centre which is located at 14 Shaftsbury Drive in Kitchener (close to Ottawa St. N. and Lackner Blvd). The building was opened in 1925 as Natchez School, School Section No. 6 before it was purchased by KWMP in 1964 from the School Board of the Township of Waterloo. A large addition was added in 1980, creating 3 separate rehearsal spaces big enough to simulate any of the local performance venues (Centre in the Square, Conrad Centre, The Registry Theatre, etc.). The KWMP Community Arts Centre also features a costume shop, an extensive workshop for set building, and storage for costumes, sets and props. 

 “One of KWMP’s core values is to support the local performing arts community, and over the years we’ve worked hard to provide an affordable community arts space,” says Past President of KWMP Brenden Sherratt. “This funding will provide hundreds of hours of performing and rehearsal space to the arts community, will significantly decrease the costs that many groups incur, and ultimately help these organizations recover quicker from COVID-19.” Sherratt also notes that the organization is hoping to continue the program in years beyond the pandemic recovery period if funding can be secured. 

Before COVID-19, KWMP Community Arts Centre was used for rehearsals, smaller theatre productions, workshops, film or photoshoots, jam sessions and concerts. In addition to being the hub for the development and rehearsal for KWMP productions, the spaces have been used by dozens of local arts groups, independent film crews, and more.

Local performing arts organizations wishing to take advantage of the Pay-What-You-Can rental initiative for the KWMP Community Arts Centre can view criteria and submit a rental request through the KWMP website at www.KWMP.ca/rehearsal-space.

For more information please contact Rentals@kwmp.ca

Seussical The Musical… A visit to the ‘doctor’ that neither kids nor parents will mind! – Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 9, 2017 – KW Musical Productions is bringing the witty, wild and whimsical world of Dr. Seuss to life with Seussical the Musical, February 2–11th at the St Jacobs Country Playhouse. Seussical transports you back to your childhood with the Cat in the Hat, the land of the Whos and the Jungle of Nool. This story will help people big and small to rediscover the delightfully zany characters imagined by one of the most beloved storytellers of all time. Tickets are just $35+HST for adults and $29+HST for children(15 and under) by calling the Box Office at 519-747-7788 or visiting KWMP.ca

The Cat in the Hat (Rob Bridel) tells the story of Horton (Max DeNardis), an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos, including Jojo (Logan Brideau), a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many “thinks.” Horton faces a double challenge – not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers led by the Sour Kangaroo (Sarah Nairne), but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird (Sarah Willett). Although Horton faces many trials and dangers, his faithful friend, Gertrude McFuzz (Joanna Guistini-Wilkinson), never gives up on him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.

“I used to read all of these stories to my daughters as children,” says Rob Bridel (Cat in the Hat). “To play this iconic character is an absolute thrill, especially when my daughter AJ is assisting in direction. It has come full circle.” One of the youngest cast members, Logan Brideau loves playing JoJo the Who. “I love JoJo because he is a big thinker and has a great imagination, like me!” He continues, “He thinks he’s a nobody but then he is the one who saves the Whos. It shows that anything is possible.”

Seussical is led by David Atkins (Director), Michael Brown (Music Director) and Sarrah Scott (Choreographer). Seussical was created by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once On This Island). Seussical is present through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

K-W Musical Productions has been bringing top calibre musical theatre to the Region of Waterloo and surrounding area since 1948. This not-for-profit organization is operated by a volunteer board of directors and is dedicated to providing a near professional experience in all aspects of theatre from performance to back stage.

For more information please contact:
Brenden Sherratt
Publicist, KW Musical Productions
marketing (at) kwmp.ca
519-591-009