Description of Need

The COVID crisis has clearly had a profound impact on the arts sector and specifically to our own organization with the cancellation of the final show of our season, the World Premiere of Cowgirl Up.  While living with this disappointment and uncertainty, we have had to lay off our technicians and front of house staff and reduce our administrative team from 15 to 9 people.  Our remaining staff are safely working from home and are committed to welcoming back audiences and artists as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.  With that in mind, we continue to make preparations for our upcoming 2020-21 season, modelling different programming scenarios and budgets.  Any financial support would help prevent further layoffs and assist with covering fees paid to artists for the cancelled performances.

 

Our Story – Why We Exist

Alberta Theatre Projects is a Calgary-based, not-for-profit, professional theatre company. We create live, world-class contemporary theatre from our home in the Martha Cohen Theatre at Arts Commons.  We are a national leader in new play development. Programming is driven by the collision of diverging ideas, points of view, class, gender, or cultural perspectives and is selected from the finest Canadian and international plays, and new works commissioned and developed in-house. Our productions radically explore our space, blurring the line between the audience and the artist through multiple seating configurations each season.
 

Our Impact – What We Do

Alberta Theatre Projects creates and produces great contemporary theatre with the objective of making life more beautiful and telling stories that make sense of what it means to be alive right now. From the beginning, ATP has always had a mandate of presenting new Canadian plays.

Through innovative programs such as the Playwrights Projects, ATP has continued its rich history of producing new Canadian works.

• Mission: We create world-class contemporary theatre from our home in the Martha Cohen Theatre.  We are a national leader in new play development. Programming is driven by the collision of diverging ideas, points of view, class, gender, or cultural perspectives and is selected from the finest Canadian and international plays and new works commissioned and developed in-house. Our productions radically explore our space, blurring the line between the audience and the artist through multiple seating configurations each season.
• Vision: We are provocative contemporary storytellers, reflecting our world through stirring theatrical experiences.
• Core Values:  Kindness; Excellence; Inclusiveness; Innovation; and Community.

The reach of Alberta Theatre Projects extends far beyond the doors of our theatre. We are committed to actively engaging the community by encouraging interaction and feedback between our patrons, volunteers, supporters and artists.

ATP continues to invest in the future by supporting emerging artists and providing unique opportunities for Calgary’s youth to get involved with and grow their passion for the theatre.

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Our Programs – How We Do It

It’s been far too long since we’ve invited guests over, and we hope you’ll agree: it’s been worth the wait. We’ve been working hard to welcome you back,  and our ‘Welcome Back to ATP’s Playhouse‘ 2021 – 2022 season features three world premieres and a Canadian phenomenon to engage and entertain you.

Whether it’s seeing home-grown productions incubated over the last few years at Alberta Theatre Projects, or witnessing stage adaptations of beloved stories we all know and love, this season promises to be one you’ll be talking about for years to come. Mixing blockbuster programming with emerging talent, the shows you’ll see this season will continue Alberta Theatre Projects’ tradition of reflecting our community on the stage.

Join us for one show in person, or come along for the entire ride in 2021-22. We’ll continue to blur the lines between the audience and artist, as we all share in the magic of the stage. We thank you for trusting us. We can’t wait to welcome you safely back to the experience you know us for.

WELCOME BACK TO ATP’S PLAYHOUSE!

• In Wonderland: November 23 – December 26, 2021; In this ambitious and contemporary retelling of Lewis Carroll’s classic novels, three actors fantastically portray the story’s iconic characters, transforming right before audience’s eyes as the audience is swept away through theatre magic and the stage metamorphosizes into a stunning visual realm.
• Undressed:  January 26 to February 13, 2022; This hilarious, heartfelt solo show, written and performed by dynamic Alberta theatre artist Louise Casemore, explores a simple but confounding question: What do you do with a used wedding dress?
• Alberta Kitchen Party (World Premier):  March 2 – 20, 2022; A spirited musical celebration, Alberta Kitchen Party, is woven together with a candid, personal look at the unique journey each artist has taken to a life on the stage.
• Kim’s Convenience:  April 13 to May 1, 2022; A Canadian comedy phenomenon! Mr. Kim, a Korean shopkeeper, grapples with both a changing neighbourhood landscape and the chasm between him and his second-generation offspring.

In addition to our shows for the season, we have a number of other events and offerings to help build our relationship and the love of theatre with the community:

• The Exchange is a series of lively and engaging events per season that help deepen the level of personal connection between the Calgary community and the work you experience on stage. Activities within The Exchange, such as our Backstage Tours, Pizza Night, or Afternoon Tea are easily accessible and provide a comfortable setting to indulge one’s curiosity and gain an insight into the plays ATP produces.
• Our Youth Engagement Programming aims to deepen the theatre experience for young audiences and emerging artists through our plays, varied practical learning opportunities, and professional mentorship. These programs foster community, engage the inquisitive mind, and bring young audiences and artists together in an exchange around our work. Some of our youth focused initiatives include student matinees, student writers group, backstage tours and day camps.

In accordance with policies put in place by Alberta Theatre Projects, and following the most up-to-date recommendations by Alberta Health Services, our company is committed to a number of safety protocols surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic in order to keep our patrons, artists, staff, volunteers, and community healthy and safe. One aspect of this is offering live theatre at a reduced capacity in the Martha Cohen Theatre.

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Our Requests – What You Can Do

When you donate to Alberta Theatre Projects, your gift makes an impact. You play a leading role in the creation of inventive, inclusive, world-class contemporary theatre right here in Calgary. Your support allows us to invest in new play development, community engagement, and training for local artists. You enable transformational learning experiences for thousands of young people through education programs and subsidized tickets.

Did you know that ticket sales only cover 30% of the cost of these programs and producing our plays? Each year, more than 1,000 generous individuals help us bridge this gap. If you are passionate for creating quality theatre, help us share the joy of live theatre. There are numerous ways to deepen your involvement with Alberta Theatre Projects:

• Empower someone | By making a gift to ATP, you are enabling someone to tell a story that needs to be told, one that will go on to inspire others. Be the one to make that possible, donate today! To donate click here.
• Contribute to the Darcy Evans Legacy Fund | ATP is proud to announce the Darcy Evans Legacy Fund and the Darcy Evans Senior Management Apprenticeship, providing the opportunity for an emerging professional to take their career to the next level in the theatre industry. To donate, click here. 
• Support our team | Our valuable team of hundreds of volunteers, some of whom have been with us for over 25 years, help us to always make ATP a welcoming, friendly environment. With positions from the lobby to the theatre and even special events, many ways to get involved at ATP. To volunteer click here.
• Bring your friends | Join us at The Exchange or as audience members in the 2018-19 season and share your passion for live theatre by bringing your friends! Single tickets, group sales and subscriptions are now on sale.