“Theatre is not just an event; it is a way of life! We are all actors: being a citizen is not living in society, it is changing it” - Augusto Boal, 2009 World Theatre Day message.
As the celebration of World Theatre Day 2010 approaches (March 27, 2010 to be exact), one can’t help but reflect on the events of the past year and on how now, more than ever, the BC theatre community could use a chance to come together and celebrate the role of theatre in our community and in our lives.
World Theatre Day celebrations will happen all over the Lower Mainland throughout the month of March. But we are not the only ones celebrating. Last year, a new blog (www.worldtheatreday.org) was launched (thanks to our friends Rebecca Coleman, Simon Ogden and Lois Dawson) along with a Facebook page and Twitter feed. As we began to make contact with theatre companies from all over the world, we found out something we didn’t know – Vancouver leads the pack in World Theatre Day celebrations! And though we thought they were rather humble, our month-long series of offerings are at the cutting edge of World Theatre Day activities world-wide!
So this year, I invite you to join us in enlarging the celebration. There are so many ways you can get involved - submit a proposal to the GVPTA for inclusion in our World Theatre Day events listings, participate in our newest venture – theatre flash mobs, attend the “Backstage with…” panel lectures at the Vancouver Public Library, come to the World Theatre Day Party on March 27th or simply (and perhaps most importantly) – buy a ticket to the theatre and go see a show… and bring a friend with you!
Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate the talent and creativity of our local theatre community, and of the world theatre community. I don’t think it’s naive or idealistic to say that the arts have a unique capacity to bring communities and even the world together. And hey, we’ll all be looking for something to do once the Olympics have left town, right??
Please check in regularly to our World Theatre Day page – we’ll be posting a schedule of events and more info as the time draws nearer. You can also keep up to date through the Facebook page, the Twitter feed (#WTD10), and the World Theatre Day Blog.
Stay tuned… the fun’s just getting started!
Sue Porter, Executive Director