The Mainstage festival will be coming to Chilliwack this July, bringing together the top community theatre troupes from across British Columbia.
The festival is governed by Theatre BC and is one of Canada’s oldest theatrical traditions. Community theatre groups from across the province compete in regional competitions to have a chance to present their plays at Mainstage. This year’s festival is hosted by the Chilliwack Players Guild and will have a theme of “Growing, Together.” In addition to the selected theatrical presentations, there will also be a series of workshops designed to help amateur actors, directors, crew members and more develop their skills. The Chilliwack Players Guild’s own entry, The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble, may be among the line-up.
Announced workshops for Mainstage include Improv for Young Actors, Auditioning for Film/TV, and Creating Access to the Theatre for Performers and Audience. They will be taught by professional actors and crew members from stage, film and television. The plays will be adjudicated by veteran actress and producer Joan MacLean, with the top efforts receiving rewards. Festivals such as this, often advertised through methods like poster printing and local media outreach, help theatre performers grow their abilities as well as gain exposure to a wider audience.
Mainstage 2024 will take place at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre from July 1 to 7. Performances are open to the public, including week-long passes.
