What's Happening in Newmarket, ON…

A Newmarket theatre group has adapted to current circumstances by launching a virtual play-reading society.

The Shadowpath Theatre Classical Play Reading Group will see stage actors perform live-streamed readings of historical theatrical works. The goal is to highlight innovative and historically important works, many from historically marginalized groups, which may have fallen out of the typical theatrical repertoire or classroom reading list. The goal is to build towards a festival of “unknown classical plays” to take place in 2021.

The group launched with a performance of “Trifles”, followed by Alice Gertsenberg’s psychological drama “Overtones”. The next play performed will be “Florence” by Alice Childress, a 1950 play set in a train station waiting room, which deals with a mother hoping for her daughter’s success as an actress. Childress was known as a pioneer for being the first professionally produced African American female playwright.

Readings are produced in costume, with care taken to create an immersive environment during the current circumstances. Like other theatre groups, Shadowpath has had to adapt to social distancing regulations, launching projects like the “Apartmental” series and a digital theatre-making course in conjunction with the Newmarket Public Library. Theatrical groups like this often use tools like poster printing to advertise programs and performances.

The Shadowpath Theatre’s live reading of “Florence” will take place via Zoom on December 3.