Two of Prince George's performing arts groups have forged a partnership.
The UNBC Musical Productions Club has been taken under the wing of 25-year-old professional drama company Theatre Northwest. No longer will the student-run amateur group have to squeeze their performances into lecture halls not built for the purposes of live performances. Instead, they now get the benefit of TNW's full stage and other in-house resources like tech tools and backstage amenities, plus the guidance of tech professionals, director Jack Grinhaus, and general manager Marnie Hamagami.
"All of us are extremely grateful for the folks at Theatre Northwest and their willingness to go above and beyond to help make this partnership happen" said Veronica Church, president of the UNBC Musical Productions Club. "Jack offering to come together and to help us further develop our productions is really going to make a difference in the quality of show we can offer theatre fans in Prince George. We have been given a great opportunity to work with experts in theatre, a group that has really been leaders in providing great professional theatre in our community and I know that through our keen club members, and through the support provided by our new partner, we are going to deliver a show that is sure to have people wanting to come back for more."
That first show is the club's upcoming presentation of the musical stage version of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
"It is so important for arts and cultural organizations in P.G. to work together to help enhance what is offered in the community," said Hamagami.
"Last season I attended one of the club's shows at the Canfor Theatre and realized the opportunity to help this club grow by developing a partnership that will help both sides enhance theatre in our community."
The UNBC Musical Productions Club is a university club comprised of both students and local community actors who have come together to perform in an annual spring production. A core group of dedicated students rehearse in their free time at the university until moving into the theatre on the cusp of each performance. With the time crunch of a student's schedule and the demands of a large scale production these eager, young theatre enthusiasts are thrilled to be back on a real stage.
"This group certainly has the passion and experience to put on a great community theatre production," Hamagami said. "We are helping provide them with a facility, greater technical capabilities, as well as some guidance. I would strongly encourage you to come out and to see what this university club has to offer."
"We are always looking for opportunities to grow our club and expand what we can offer," said Church. "This season is Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and soon we will be planning for our 2020 season. We welcome new partnerships, club members, sponsors, and fans. If you haven't had the chance to catch one our productions in the past, it's never too late to try us for the first time - this is not one you'll want to miss."
The show runs March 8-10 and March 15-17 at Theatre Northwest.
Tickets are $15 regular and $10 students, available now at Theatre Northwest (charge by phone at 250-614-0039, or buy online at www.tickets.theatrenorthwest.com.
