For community building, the play's the thing

Community can be built in many places: libraries, seniors centres, sports arenas and city council chambers. And there’s another space that’s not always top of mind: community theatres.

These spaces are often a staple of community building, providing accessible and affordable spaces for residents to come together to perform, to direct, to volunteer—and of course, to watch.

“I’ve been in community theatre for about 30 years,” says Bev Pride, director of Vagabond Players’ upcoming production of Our Town. “There is a shared intimacy to being in a space like this. It’s the same joy we get as children during story time. It’s that moment of letting go, together – both as storytellers and audience members.”

Tammy Theis plays Mrs. Webb in Our Town. Having been a performing artist for much of her life, she agrees.

“Local theatre has a profound impact on community,” says Theis. “You have folks of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels who share the same passion, who come together for a common purpose. That’s a unique and empowering space.”

For Theis, coming back to Vagabond Players for this show after a 10-year hiatus was akin to a homecoming, made extra special by the fact that the Bernie Legge Theatre is her neighbourhood playhouse.

“I am a single mum and for a long time, I was just too busy for this,” she says, gesturing to the stage. “Being back here, with this cast, doing this show. It means a lot.”

Dave Simcox, who plays her husband Editor Webb, found community theatre 35 years ago while training to be a commercial pilot. “I was driving trucks, mowing lawns – doing whatever I could to get the money I needed to pay for my pilot’s licence,” he explains. “While waiting to achieve that goal, I found theatre.” Simcox recounts how he did every show he could get his hands on until his license came through, at which point his stage time was put on hold—for the next three decades.

“After my retirement, I was burnt out and I knew I wanted to come back,” he says.

Pride believes that community theatre is an excellent outlet for individuals looking to counterbalance the professional day-do-day.

“It is so rewarding to see these folks come into this space,” she elaborates. “Sometimes they might be afraid of stepping in because it is so outside of their comfort zone, but then you see them trust the group. It’s special.”

This “letting go” is something she also shares with audience members.

“You can feel an audience dropping their outside thoughts. You feel them listening to your story. It fills you up. And it fills them up too.”

Theis agrees in earnest. “I think a lot of it has to do with vulnerability,” Theis says. “People come into a space like this and drop all pretentions.”

Simcox gestures to the seats, the stage and Theis and Pride before sharing his thoughts. “These spaces, they open you up to a different perspective—I see a different side of people. Everyone is inviting and welcoming and accepting of your flaws. That’s not always the same in your professional career. Here you can fail. Here you can have flaws. And that’s okay.”

Vagabond Players’ Our Town runs June 1 – 24 at the Bernie Legge Theatre in Queen’s Park. Showtime and ticket information can be found here.