‘Theatre in the Park is for everyone:’ Free shows to hit parks around Sask. this month

Three… two… one… blast off!

A free, live theatre performance will be hitting more than 30 outdoor parks in Saskatchewan, starting next week.

“Theatre in the Park is for everyone,” said Mackenzie Dawson, associate artistic director at Sum Theatre in Saskatoon and co-director of Theatre in the Park.

This is the 11th year for Theatre in the Park, and this year’s performance is Zero Gravity, an intergalactic production about climate change that follows people from Earth travelling to another planet to learn about a better way to live, Dawson explained.

Dawson said the performance is an original piece of theatre, and every year’s theme is based on a pressing topic that communities are faced with.

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“Right now, it feels like climate change is the biggest problem facing our communities,” he said.

Dawson said the organization hires local theatre designers, performers, musicians, and even puppeteers to bring the show to life. He said the artists hired all have different experience levels

Dawson said the sets and costumes are repurposed and reused every year.

“Our designers with Theatre in the Park have some of the most interesting perspectives on how we can repurpose and make the most out of what someone might see as a heap of garbage, or scraps,” he said.

Theatre in the Park originally started in Saskatoon, but in recent years has expanded to Regina and northern Saskatchewan, including communities like Prince Albert and La Ronge.

Dawson said the shows are free and always will be.

“It helps make theatre accessible for everyone, while also making a great community event for people to enjoy in their own local park,” he explained.

The full Theatre in the Park schedule can be found online.