CANMORE – With the psychedelic rock of Pink Floyd playing over the speakers, many first-time actors were getting in the final preparations at the Canmore Miners’ Union Hall on Sunday (Jan. 21) for an upcoming live theatre performance.
Five months of rehearsals, choreography and working together has set the stage for Laying Down Roots: Embracing Mother Earth, a story about circular economy and a sustainable future.
The production has two free shows Saturday (Jan. 27) at 6 p.m. and Sunday (Jan. 28) at 1 p.m. at the Canmore Miners’ Union Hall.
Much more than just a performance, the play is set to showcase a group of locals and their abilities.
Presented by the Bow Valley Connections Centre (BVCC), a non-profit organization that supports people living with neurodiversity, the play will feature 18 performers from students, and youth to adults with diverse needs to stage the “musical, light show about nature.”
A line from the play, “The Roots burrow deep twisting together, great connections, great connections made out of sight give strength to the thriving forest” spoke to BVCC president Dorothy Staniforth about the cast.
“I read that and I thought, ‘wow, what an analogy to us’. Our purpose is to be part of the community and to thrive in the community, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to do here as well,” said Staniforth.
“Most of our participants have never been on stage so this is huge for them … we just hope that we have an audience that we can show Bow Valley Connections Centre participants in a good light and all the abilities they have.”
After receiving a grant from the Town of Canmore, the BVCC used it toward putting on a production.
The non-profit turned to the theatre expertise and clever writing of local director Candise McMullin, who wrote and is directing Laying Down Roots: Embracing Mother Earth.
McMullin is joined by Evanora Rodney, a student mentor who is assisting with directorial duties.
Adapting her teaching style to be more inclusive to the programming, McMullin said the story has evolved and progressed over the five months.
“Now it’s a story and history of mankind’s impact on the environment and the repercussions of that and how we can fix what we’ve done,” said McMullin.
“I think they’re going to be pleasantly surprised that it’s a musical light show about nature,” McMullin added with a laugh.
Throughout the play, the set grows and transforms, going from a green forest atmosphere to a grey industrial-feel that pushes the wilderness out.
As part of the production, rock band Pink Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” will be background music.
Watching the cast sing and dance to music at a BVCC event put the final touches on the play, said McMullin.
“Music is a great way to be involved and get everybody interested in it, and especially in this group, where everyone is so different and so diverse that I wanted to find something everyone could connect with,” said McMullin.
“And everyone can follow,” said Rodney.
With a hands-on role with the cast, the teenage Rodney has enjoyed the first-time directing opportunity
“It’s really nice because I do love to craft, but I believe my place is to help the other people in this play,” said Rodney.
On play days, cash donations to the local food bank will be accepted at the door.
