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ARTISTIC
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
2020 Season

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“Welcome ladies (and gentlemen) and thank you for choosing the Jewel of the seas for your transatlantic journey. Here we are, two of our best seats, May I get you anything?”

~ LadahLord, James and the Giant Peach

Welcome to Arts Collective Theatre’s (ACT) season six which we are calling A Year of Journeys. This season, ACT has chosen works that showcase a character’s journey: a journey into the unknown, into rock n’ roll and self-discovery, and into forgiveness and the unexpected.

ACT’s Social Justice Theatre Project with seniors, returns with Wherever it Takes You, a journey into the unknown.  Local writer and expressive arts therapy facilitator Linda Lord’s empowering script deals with the true stories of Dementia and Alzheimer’s. So many families are dealing with the loss of loved ones, both living and those who’ve passed, by this diagnosis. Hear stories from local residents, and watch how the theatrical arts can educate, bring awareness to, and facilitate open dialogue about what it’s like living with this irreversible disorder. Runs March 6 – 15 in the Roth Theatre at Sho Studios (628 Monmouth Rd).

Next up, our celebrated ACT Community program is back with the Windsor premiere of the 2010 four-time Tony award winner, including Best Musical, Memphis. Inspired by actual events, Memphis takes the audience back to the 1950s, at the birth of rock n’ roll.  This was during the time of segregation, and this story follows the journey of a white radio DJ who wants to change the world, and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. With music by David Bryan, keyboardist for Bon Jovi, and book by Joe DiPietro, this remarkable show has explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love.

ACT is proud to add this production to our series of inclusive shows including Dreamgirls (2018), and The Wiz (2019). ACT has been a trailblazer for pushing for more diversity within Windsor’s performing arts community, and we hope you’ll enjoy all the new Windsor talent we bring to the stage in this production. Runs April 17 -26 at the Capitol Theatre Windsor (121 University Ave W).

We are very excited to feature Windsor’s young and upcoming talent in our Youth Creative production of James and The Giant Peach. Based on Roald Dahl’s fun-loving children’s book, this show was written by Timothy Allen McDonald, and has music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the same dynamic duo that brought you “The Greatest Showman”, and Tony award winning best musical “Dear Evan Hansen”. Watch as this heartwarming show follows James’ journey of self-discovery with a little help from some friendly creatures. Runs this spring, dates and location TBA.

This summer ACT will return with its intensive program 30 Under 30. A program that brings together youth under the age of 30 to produce a show in 8 weeks. We are happy to announce we’ll be producing one of the biggest selling musicals of all time – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s and Tim Rice’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. This unforgettable show follows a young man’s journey to find himself and along the way, he finds the power of forgiveness. Runs September 11 – 20 at the Capitol Theatre Windsor (121 University Ave W).

ACT is proud to announce the start of a new program called ACT New Works. This program is dedicated to bringing together composers and writers to create NEW musical productions. Submissions have been handed in from all over Windsor and Detroit. We are looking forward to workshopping these scripts, mentoring the writers, and helping these upcoming artists produce their own (we hope) award winning production. Look out for more information about this brand-new program on our website and social media.  Runs this fall, dates and location TBA.

Finally, we finish our year off with our holiday concert – A Journey into Christmas. Come and be moved by the true meaning of Christmas.  Runs this December 11 & 12 at All Saints’ Anglican Church (330 City Hall Square W).

ACT is looking forward to our sixth season.  This year’s theme celebrates journeys we can all relate to, journeys that touch the heart and soul, and allow us to believe in hope.  Our mandate is to produce meaningful and insightful theatre, and we promise to continue doing just that for many more seasons to come.

There is only one way to make this season bigger and that is YOU! Are you looking to get involved in the community?  Come join us as we are always looking for volunteers, new cast members, and community partners. Or you can buy a ticket, see a show, and contribute to Windsor’s booming arts community. Don’t forget to follow us on all our social media platforms and stay up-to-date on ACT news.  Let the journey begin, and let’s ACT together in 2020!

Chris Rabideau
Artistic Director
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