Today, Theatre New Brunswick announced its 51st season its first under the leadership of Artistic Director Natasha MacLellan, and things have already taken an exciting turn with a guaranteed upswing in pirates.
With a new artistic director, the theatre is pushing in bold new directions, putting an emphasis on diversity, education, workshops and public engagement. To really hit it home they’ve even included a politically charged production about Joe Clark’s brief stint as Canada’s Prime Minister.
“Over the past few seasons TNB has put a lot of time into developing new audiences and diversifying our stage,” said MacLellan. “I want to keep that momentum going. Our 2019-2020 season will be one full of love, laughter, intrigue and adventure and will surely delight longtime subscribers and first time theatre goers alike.”
TNB will be strengthening New Brunswick’s pool of theatrical resources by providing new training opportunities with workshops in theatre tech, stage management, scenic painting, stage combat and more. They’ll also be launching their first playwriting program, Young Playwrights, which will engage students from grades 9-12 in the dramaturgic sciences.
“I think it’s really important that this company shares its resources and experience. There are so many emerging professional artists in New Brunswick and so many people making theatre for their communities. It’s just wonderful to see theatre alive and well in my new home province” said MacLellan. “By providing training opportunities for both the performing artists and those who work behind the scenes to make any show happen, we are not only helping to create inroads for a new generation of theatre makers but also helping to foster a continued love for the art form.”
TNB’s 2019-2020 season includes:
1979
By Michael Healey | Open Space Theatre | October 2019
40 years ago, Joe Clark defeated Pierre Trudeau to became Canada’s youngest Prime Minister. By Christmas it was all over. This new comedy by Canadian playwright Michael Healey offers an amusing look at Clark’s nine month stint at the head table as friends, foes and family share their advice on how the young leader should move forward while his party’s popularity dwindles at an alarming rate.
This production will run for two weeks at the Open Space Theatre before touring to Bathurst, Florenceville-Bristol, Moncton, St. Andrews, Sackville and Saint John.
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Adapted By Joe Landry From The Screenplay By Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra And Jo Swerling | Fredericton Playhouse | December 2019
This holiday season, let us take you back to a time when radio dramas brought families together to enjoy a story well-told; to a time before earbuds and cellphones and podcasts made entertainment a solitary experience.
It’s A Wonderful Life tells the story of George Bailey and the intervention of his guardian angel one fateful Christmas Eve.
Let’s come together in our community’s living room like the enormous family we are and watch a holiday classic take shape. Live theatre as live theatre, as heartwarming as can be!
Heroine
By Karen Bassett | Open Space Theatre | March 2020
At the height of piracy’s Golden Age, two of history’s most famed female pirates sit awaiting execution for their crimes.
Disguised as men, Irish swashbuckler Anne Bonny and English privateer-turned-pirate Mary Read looted, plundered and outfought many of their male counterparts throughout the Caribbean before being captured and sentenced to hang.
Clashing sword fights, brutal wrestling matches and sharp-as-a-blade humour bring these historical figures to the stage to explore what a life well lived truly is.
This production will run at the Open Space Theatre before touring to Bathurst, Florenceville-Bristol, Moncton, St. Andrews, Sackville and Saint John.
Annie (TNB Theatre School)
Book By Thomas Meehan Music By Charles Strouse Lyrics By Martin Charnin
Fredericton Playhouse | April 2020
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City.
She is determined to find the parents who left her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan.
With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations … and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
A TNB Theatre School production featuring students from the Senior Musical Theatre program.
Boys, Girls and Other Mythological Creatures (TNB Young Company)
By Mark Crawford | Touring NB schools 2020
Deep in Simon’s basement is a secret world of imagination and adventure – where a young prince can transform into mythological creatures! Simon invites new neighbour Abby to help save a princess in a battle against a fire-breathing dragon. Meanwhile, in reality, Simon’s older brother Zach is not so sure about all this dressing up and fairy tale business … A thoughtful and hilarious new play about our ability to transform!
It’s A Girl! (TNB Young Company)
By Michelle Raine and Alexis Milligan | Touring NB schools 2020
How do we perceive differences and how do these perceptions relate to personal identity, gender, and stereotypes? Inspired by personal stories about growing up as a trans woman, It’s A Girl creates a safe environment where people can ask questions, have conversations, discuss identity and what it means to be perceived as different.
PLUS:
Finding Wolastoq Voice
By Natalie Sappier | Sept. 11-14 at Ship’s Company Theatre (Nova Scotia) | Sept. 21-23 at the National Arts Centre (Ottawa)
Workshop Series
A new monthly workshop series exploring various aspects of the theatre process including lighting/projection/sound, stage management, scenic painting and more. (Full details coming in summer 2019)
Beyond The Script
A series of public conversations at the Fredericton Public Library focusing on themes from the upcoming productions. (Full details coming in summer 2019)
Summer Programs at the TNB Theatre School
Seven day-camps and four evening intensives for students K-12 make up this year’s summer programming at the TNB Theatre School.
Season subscription packages can be purchased online now. Visit Theatre N ew Brunswick for more details and a complete schedule of events.