The foothills came alive with The Sound of Music last month, as Bragg Creek’s new Swamp Donkey Musical Theatre Society hit the ground running. The cast performed four sold-out shows at the Bragg Creek Community Centre, bringing audiences to their feet, and garnering rave reviews.
For founder, president, and “Maria” actress, Trisha Gizen, it was a realization of a 20-year dream. As she stood on stage with tears in her eyes during the closing curtain call, she remembers, “Looking out and seeing the community come together — the audience, the cast, the crew — that’s what it’s all about. Building community. That’s the essence of community theatre.”
The society is planning a repeat of their first season next year, with workshops opening in the fall to people of all ages and abilities, followed by a large musical production in the spring. Gizen adds, “Our goal is to bring musical theatre to Bragg Creek. There was a hole — there was something missing. So, we want to teach quality musical theatre and provide people with tools.” Those tools are proving successful so far. Swamp Donkey had hoped to sell 400 tickets to The Sound of Music, but instead sold 700. “We were so grateful to be embraced by the community in that way,” Gizen says.
For more information on upcoming workshops and performances, head to swampdonkeytheatre.ca.
Faith McLean, HCN Staff
faith@highcountrynews.ca
