FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 08/23/2023
ACT’s 2024 Season Announcement
ACT Celebrates 10 Years (Seasons) of Love in Windsor Essex Theatre
Windsor,ON: Under the Artistic leadership of Chris Rabideau and Moya McAlister, Arts Collective Theatre (ACT) will be celebrating its 10th year in the Windsor-Essex County Theatre Community.
Rabideau states “This is our decennial year for the organization. In 2024 we shine a light on our survival and resilience.”
McAlister states “It has been a joy to watch this company grow so quickly over the last 10 years. We’ve added new programming, built a fierce and talented leadership team, moved our productions to the iconic Capitol theatre, and settled into our new home within All Saints’ Anglican Church. We’ve worked hard to get to where we are today, and I am especially proud to say that we’ve stood by our mission to provide inclusive and diverse theatre productions every single season.”
Since 2014, ACT has delivered some of Windsor’s most talked about musicals which include “Dreamgirls” in 2018 and most recently “West Side Story”. Every season since its inception, ACT has continued to create and deliver inspirational stage plays based on the injustices and issues concerning our community. “We survived a pandemic, and we are thankful to continue to grow as a leader providing educational theatre opportunities to our community.” Rabideau continues. “ACT has become the leading organization for diversity and inclusivity in our community and we are very proud of that”.
ACT theatre programs are rooted in working with youth, seniors, and the overall community. They have set a new community standard for delivering high quality musical theatre in Windsor.
ACTs 2024 North of 50 social justice seniors’ program will be called “The Social Exchange” and premier in March 2024. The show will be an intergenerational program examining the perspectives of seniors with younger generations. Rabideau adds “How many times have we heard – “I just can’t relate to these young people” or “Kids today!” – This show will examine how our viewpoints change over time and may just reveal how we are more connected than we are separated.” The Social Exchange will allow seniors to workshop and develop their own show through mentoring younger generations and together show multiple perspectives of life events. Rabideau will direct and Windsor actress and writer Cristina Orlando who is a veteran of improv with companies such as Second City and Planet Ant Theatre in Michigan will serve as the head writer and facilitator on the show. The show was made possible through the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program grant. Workshops will be held on Nov 19th, 26th, Dec 3rd & 10th at ACTs long-time residence 330 City Hall Square.
ACT will bring to life Disney’s NEWSIES Jr for its ACT Youth Creative Program at the Capitol Theatre in May 2024. “Last year we were blown away by the response of Seusscial Jr. the Musical, so we decided to go bigger this year.” Since the pandemic, ACT has invested its energy into Windsor’s youth programing. Rabideau continues “We need to educate and give our youth the social opportunities to grow and develop to be the arts leaders of Tomorrow.” Disney’s NEWSIES Jr. follows a group of orphans (the newsboys) as they strike for more fair and equitable wage in 1899, New York City.
ACT will hold a youth Dance Workshop on September 30th, 2023. Becca Silvius will serve as Director and Choreographer of the project. Silvius expresses – “I’m very honoured to taking the seat in the director’s chair for ACTs upcoming youth production of NEWSIES! This show demonstrates so many positive messages and I can’t wait to bring them to light through the lens of a company that understands the importance of those themes.” You won’t want to miss this family friendly dance show which features songs like “King of New York”.
ACTs 2024 major musical will be Jonathan Larson’s RENT. Rabideau states “I thought a lot about what major musical would be best for ACT to bring to life for our 10th season. What show would be able to capture the diversity of ACT and showcase 10 seasons of love – without a doubt that show is RENT”. Rabideau will serve as director of this production. “RENT is about survival and resilience at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The show is having a renaissance right now as we come out of the pandemic and are left with visible struggles of drug addiction, homelessness, LGBTQIA2S+ inequality, the need for acceptance and ultimately LOVE!” With one of the greatest known musical theatre songs of all time “Season of love” RENT will premiere at the Capitol Theatre October 4th -12th, 2024.
To see all upcoming events and performances or for more information please visit ACTwindsor.com or follow us at @actwindsor on Instagram and Arts Collective Theatre on Facebook. ACT is currently in their 9th season working on the major musical Guys and Dolls at the Capitol Theatre this October 13-22, 2023.
Arts Collective Theatre (ACT) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated and committed to enhancing the well-being of the Windsor Essex community through theatre education, mentorship, and by bringing awareness to social justice issues in Windsor and beyond.
ACT is committed to delivering educational theatre-based practices, that promotes inclusivity and diversity within the arts to the Windsor – Essex Community and beyond. Mentorship and learning opportunities are rooted in our artistic processes, and we provide the opportunity for those who train with us, to mentor others within our programs and throughout the community.
###
