All the community's a stage

“The goal of the Dalhousie Theatre Society (DTS) is to foster learning outside of the classroom and to put to work skills you’ve learned in class if you’re in theatre,” says Christine Rankin. “If you aren’t in theatre and you just enjoy acting, scenography, costumes, or any portion of that, you can get an opportunity to delve into them and release your creativity.”

The president of DTS stresses that the society is about getting as many people involved as possible. It doesn’t matter if they’re not studying theatre, they’re inexperienced—or even Dal students. Christine says they’ve even had SMU students join so they could be involved in DTS productions.

“DTS is for people who maybe loved theatre in high school and want to keep going with it in university,” says DTS vice-president, Mollie Robertson. “It’s about getting theatre into the community and really working with people outside of Dal as well and getting everyone connected under this branch of theatre.”

Every year the society puts on several theatrical productions, running the gamut from plays and musicals to pantomimes. Each production is completely student run and open to the community. The members are currently in rehearsals for the November 14 and 15 performances of Alice in Wonderland: The Pantomime, co-directed by Mollie Robertson and DTS treasurer, Helena Smith. All the music has been written and composed by 4th-year music student, Craig Lang.

“It’s been a completely incredible opportunity,” says Helena. “I don’t know if it’s something that we’ll ever get the opportunity to work with again.”

Since the DTS doesn’t have its own performance space, it finds venues throughout the city for its different productions. The November 14 performance of Alice will be at 7 p.m. in Theatre B of the Tupper Building at Dal’s School of Medicine, and the 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. performances will be in Studley Gym. For ticket information, email dtsaliceinwonderland@gmail.com.

The cast of last year's production of Beauty and the Beast. (photo courtesy Mollie Robertson)

For its winter season, the group will be putting on the musical Rent and Chekov’s Three Sisters. Last year’s productions included a pantomime of Beauty and the Beast and Romeo and Juliet.

The DTS also hosts smaller events throughout the year that are open to anyone. On the last Thursday of every month the members host their own “treat day” on the 5th floor of the Arts Centre. It’s a great opportunity for students to stop by, grab a snack, and chat with other students about upcoming events or find out more about what the society is up to.

In keeping with its inclusive sense of community, the DTS also supports other local theatre groups. Members will often organize groups of people to attend shows put on by organizations like the King’s Theatrical Society and Neptune Theatre. Christine and Mollie are hoping to create a blog that they can use to inform people about great theatrical opportunities on and off campus, whether it’s a play, a dance recital, or a workshop.

In the meantime, anyone looking for more information about events, productions, or how to get involved can check out the society’s Facebook page, email stage@dal.ca, or drop by DTS meetings in the 5th-floor lounge of the Arts Centre (they alternate between Tuesdays at 11:30–12:30 a.m. and Fridays at 3:30–4:30 p.m.).

“If you ever had the curiosity to try it, come on out,” says Christine. “There’s no harm in trying and we’re accepting of everyone, regardless of experience.”