So Why Celebrate World Theatre Day? | World Theatre Day, 2022

Mar 27

My life-long attraction to theatre derived first from its capacity to transport and transform a space full of people through shared lived experience. It has the capacity to effect small and large changes in individuals and for a few minutes at least construct a community.

In the context of COVID, social distancing, shuttered and struggling theatre companies and artists, the first tentative, half houses of theatre have still motivated audiences to look around and remark, “Isn’t it good to be together again?” As a long-time theatre professional who is also committed to community building, that ‘togetherness’ is what continues to motivate my commitment to theatre. Coming from so many corners, conflict, polarization, hate, intentional and thoughtless destruction and displacement currently impinge on the collective psyche. The collaborative art form of theatre in which artists and audiences come together in a creative act constitutes an enduring and defiant determination that points to a different future.

My commitment to On Cue Performance Hub stems from this capacity of theatre and live performance to build community and offer hope for a different future--one in which On Cue brings together and raises up a broad diversity of performing artists to tell the truths and stories that need to be told and experienced together by equally diverse audiences in our community.

World Theatre Day

Mary Blackstone

Mary Blackstone chairs On Cue’s Steering Committee. As Director of the Regina-based Centre for the Study of Script Development, she is a professional dramaturg specializing in the development of new dramatic work. She is Professor Emerita in Theatre (U of R) and formerly the first Dean of Fine Arts (U of R), in which capacity she was responsible for securing funding for and building the Riddell Centre.