Theatre company builds their community through performance coaching and encouragement

Getting people on stage provides people of all ages the opportunity to share talents, creatively express themselves and build confidence. Newly formed theatre group Castwell & Company opened its doors in Biggar, SK to set the stage to make theatre experience part of town life.

Like most theatre companies in rural Saskatchewan, Castwell & Company is entirely volunteer-run. Incorporated in April 2024, their mission is to create “inclusive, accessible and collaborative performing arts opportunities” for the community. Their company pillars are to create, connect, inspire and evolve.

Erin Hadden, treasurer, Castwell & Company, emphasizes that the company aims to support life-long learning. “The goal is for people to have fun, to connect with each other, to stretch and grow in areas where they wouldn't have been able to before.”

The theatre group began with a successful cabaret event in June followed by an open karaoke portion of the evening aimed at encouraging people to get on stage. During that first event at Biggar’s historical Majestic Theatre, audience members enjoyed 18 pop music performances by community members.

To encourage participants, the company lined up qualified volunteers to offer performance coaching. Cabaret admission was by donation.

Michaela Hoppe, chair, Castwell & Company, says the night went better than expected, “People did not want to go home. One girl who had never performed on stage before said the environment that we created, with the supportive audience, gave her the courage to get up and sing for the karaoke night.”

Hadden adds that, “We're making sure that everybody is absolutely positioned for success, so that they can walk down the street after their performance with their heads held high, knowing that they smashed it.”

She has already met with teenagers who want to perform for the company’s next —musical theatre-themed— cabaret in September. “They’re so excited about it,” she says, emphasizing that this type of event offers people low-commitment opportunities to perform. “It’s not going to interfere with hockey or dance. It’s a quick turnaround and they’re thrilled about it.”

Nena Hawkes, executive director, Theatre Saskatchewan says, “It’s exciting to see Castwell’s new, fresh take on what community theatre looks like and how we can use our platform to help people think differently and grow their empathy.” Theatre Saskatchewan supported the company in its beginning stages by connecting them to other community theatre groups across the province. Hoppe and Hadden also travelled to North Battleford for Theatre Saskatchewan’s TheatreFest in April 2024.

Based on recommendations from community members at its open house in May, Castwell & Company will run its first play, “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors,” in October 2024—a new endeavour in a community with a strong musical theatre tradition. Hoppe, a visual artist, is directing, which is a new experience for her. Even the founding members of the company are learning new skills. “I’m giving it a go because I have this huge supportive team behind me,” she says.

Castwell & Company is a part of Saskatchewan’s theatre network supported by Theatre Saskatchewan, which is funded by the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation.