Art For Awareness Presents One Earth At Rotary Park

The well known local theatre group Art for Awareness is presenting One Earth on July 13th and 14th at Rotary Park, with both youth dancers and professional dancers participating in this exciting new production.

One Earth is an outdoor presentation of dance, music, storytelling and visual art inspired by the elements of Earth, Air, Fire & Water. The choreography is by Rachel Bemrose, Sierra Richardson, Kelsi Blashko, Oliver Moriarty and Eryn Masterson, with original music and visual art by Blake Richardson.

"We are excited to provide young professionals a chance to exhibit their work while at the same time offering a high-level technical dance intensive and performance opportunity for young dancers in Peterborough," say Artistic Directors Rachel Bemrose and Blake Richardson.

"Art for Awareness believes in mentoring the choreographers of the future and at the same time providing high-level training for dancers here in the city. The show itself hopes to bring awareness to our natural environment while using artistic mediums to demonstrate the importance and beauty of the ONE EARTH we all share."

There is an art show & workshops at 6 pm on Friday, July 13th and Saturday, July 14th, followed by dance performances at 7 pm. They are at Rotary Park (near the London St. Bridge), and the rain date is Sunday, July 15th at 2 pm. They suggested donation is $5 or pay what you can.

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PTBOCanada Pics & Preview: Rock Musical Hedwig And The Angry Inch So Rocks

Rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch fills the tiny Gordon Best Theatre stage, spills out into the crowd for audience interaction, and rocks the entire place. Filled with numerous jokes, Peterborough references (nice touch) and androgynous '70s glam rock, this play by Peterborough theatre collective Art For Awareness will have you toe tapping as Hedwig and his "begrudging" band The Angry Inch (played by Ian Jack, Sean Veecock, Geoff Bemrose and Kyle Nurse) belts out numerous tunes. The story is told as a type of monologue by Hedwig (played by Jeff Schissler) who takes you through the main character's life highs and lows, and is supplemented through great music and a fantastic range of emotion.

• Hedwig and the Angry Inch is another powerful production by Art for Awareness.
• Producer: Geoff Bemrose
• Director: Shannon Oliver
• Musical Direction: Ian Jack

The show runs September 24th to the 27th, each night at 8 p.m. at Gordon Best Theatre, with an additional 11:30 p.m. performance on the 26th. Tickets are available online and at the door with partial proceeds going to CMHA's Gender Journeys program and Peterborough Pride. Follow Art for Awareness on Facebook and Twitter.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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Art For Awareness Presents Erasing The Stigma

Art for Awareness, a local theatre group, is getting ready for their first original production to hit the stage at the Adam Scott auditorium. Erasing the Stigma, a multimedia dance performance, runs October 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th at 8 p.m., and seeks to normalize the stories of those living with mental illness.  Arts for Awareness has partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association, The Schizophrenia Society of Ontario, the LYNX Early Psychosis Intervention Program, and the Human Services & Justice Coordinating Committee for this show. Tickets are available at Black Honey and at the door. If you saw their first show Next to Normal, you'll know how talented and passionate this group is!

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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PTBOPics & Preview: Next To Normal Rock Opera Looks At Family & Mental Health Issues

AFA (Art for Awareness) is a newly formed theatre collective in Peterborough looking to raise awareness of important social issues through theatre, dance and performance. Their first performance certainly isn't pulling any punches, and will leave you quite emotional.

They are performing the rock opera Next to Normal, based on the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning musical.

Filled with adult themes, language and believable situations, you catch a behind-the-scenes glimpse into a family being torn apart by mental issues.

The rippling effect of drugs (both poorly prescribed, and recreational), broken communication and the stresses of life are shown throughout the family—which are beautifully portrayed by Marsala Lukianchuk (as the wife, Diana Goodman), Geoff Bemrose (as the husband, Dan Goodman), Mike Rodin (as the son, Gabriel "Gabe" Goodman), Kristyn Russelle (as the daughter, Natalie Goodman), Lucas Deluca (as the boyfriend Henry) and Beau Dixon (as Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden).

Next To Normal shares with us the turmoil in this family's life through song, and Marsala's portrayal of the wife was outstanding. She genuinely portrays the "lost" feeling that someone in that position must sense. Some musical numbers include the entire cast, with a powerhouse of song, backed up by live music.

Great use of digital projection (by Sarah Tye) helped transport the characters between the locals of home, work, doctor's office and school, all the while making use of the multi-platform stage (designed by Ian Burns and constructed by Justin Boyd). Stage direction (by Lindsay Unterlander) was smooth as multiple groups were acting simultaneously, drawing similarities between the two age groups.

Next to Normal is directed by Brian MacDonald, choreographed by Rachel Bemrose and musical direction by Justin Hiscox. Follow Art for Awareness on Facebook and Twitter. Tickets for their shows are $20 for adults and $15 for children, and are available at Maar's Music, Black Honey, Antoinette's Bridal Shop and at the door. Next to Normal will be performed at Adam Scott CVI Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on April 12th, 13th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

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