Living "Out on the Edge"
This year's Theatre on the Edge Festival is pleased to be collaborating with Port City Rainbow Pride on a new and innovative theatrical piece called "Out on the Edge." Developed by SJTC: Second Stage chair Jay Rawding, the production promises more than just entertainment.
"When I first developed the concept for "Out on the Edge" with Catherine Sidney and the members of the PRIDE week planning committee, I anticipated that several of the stories we received would be emotionally poignant and moving, and, indeed, many of them certainly are," says Rawding. "But I did not anticipate how much I would learn through this process. I'm not talking about learning terminology or aspects that are exclusive to members of the GLBT community - although this has certainly been the case - but in particular the cast and I have learned about the challenges that some of our fellow Saint Johners have had to go through in their lives, and about the challenges that many of them continue to go through."
Rawding, with the assistance of his cast, has taken several true stories from the GLBT community and created "Out on the Edge." Although some scenes have been slightly dramatized, or have had dialogue added or subtracted in order to strengthen the cohesive whole, there are entire sections that have been left intact. "This means that, in some places, the words are more akin to stream of conscious or thought, and may not be as "poetic," but they will certainly lend unique authenticity to the material," says Rawding.
This also represents STJC: Second Stage's first attempt to bring non-fictional material, or a series of locally submitted stories, to the stage.
As a 'straight' man, Rawding was keen to take on the challenge of tackling this project. "I knew that developing and directing "Out on the Edge" would pose a few basic, logistic stumbling blocks for me on a personal level due to my own lack of exposure with members of this demographic (for example, events and activities, such as pride parades, which I'd never seen before)," says Rawding. "However, because of the open lines of communication shared with our sources, including the wonderful organizers of this summer's PRIDE week, and also those who have been brave enough to share their stories, I feel that are prepared to present the subject matter in an informed and engaging way."
The SJTC: Second Stage planning committee jumped on the idea when Rawding pitched it. "We want people to be challenged," says committee member Lisa Flower. "The arts have always provided growth and evolution within cultures all over the world. Where would Paris be without its artists? What would New York be like without Broadway? While we definitely want our audiences to be entertained, we want them to grow with us!"
"Perhaps in larger Canadian cities, the subject matter would not be considered edgy, but for Saint John audiences, this represents an opportunity to share stories and viewpoints that are not often represented in our more traditional, conservative city. In this sense, it is a perfect fit for our fringe-like festival," adds Rawding.
Don't let this scare you however. When it comes right down to it, the overriding theme is not about being gay or straight, but of acceptance.
"They will laugh, they may cry, they might even be challenged in ways they could not have anticipated, but with any luck they will see a little bit of themselves in some of the characters depicted in the play, too," says Rawding, when asked what he hoped our audiences will get out of this piece. "In this sense, the show represents an opportunity to walk a few steps in someone else's shoes. For example, it is one thing for a straight person to watch a member of the GLBT community march past them in a parade, but it is another to get the chance to see and hear personal stories about their lives and therefore get to know people on a more intimate level."
And, in the end, isn't that what matters?
TotE is offering three performances of "Out on the Edge" at the Mary Oland Theatre, Tuesday, August 7th, at 8 pm, Friday, August 10th, at 6:30 pm, and Sunday, August 12th, at 2 pm. Tickets are $10. Tuesday and Friday night performances are included on the Festival Pass which is $30.
"When I first developed the concept for "Out on the Edge" with Catherine Sidney and the members of the PRIDE week planning committee, I anticipated that several of the stories we received would be emotionally poignant and moving, and, indeed, many of them certainly are," says Rawding. "But I did not anticipate how much I would learn through this process. I'm not talking about learning terminology or aspects that are exclusive to members of the GLBT community - although this has certainly been the case - but in particular the cast and I have learned about the challenges that some of our fellow Saint Johners have had to go through in their lives, and about the challenges that many of them continue to go through."
Rawding, with the assistance of his cast, has taken several true stories from the GLBT community and created "Out on the Edge." Although some scenes have been slightly dramatized, or have had dialogue added or subtracted in order to strengthen the cohesive whole, there are entire sections that have been left intact. "This means that, in some places, the words are more akin to stream of conscious or thought, and may not be as "poetic," but they will certainly lend unique authenticity to the material," says Rawding.
This also represents STJC: Second Stage's first attempt to bring non-fictional material, or a series of locally submitted stories, to the stage.
As a 'straight' man, Rawding was keen to take on the challenge of tackling this project. "I knew that developing and directing "Out on the Edge" would pose a few basic, logistic stumbling blocks for me on a personal level due to my own lack of exposure with members of this demographic (for example, events and activities, such as pride parades, which I'd never seen before)," says Rawding. "However, because of the open lines of communication shared with our sources, including the wonderful organizers of this summer's PRIDE week, and also those who have been brave enough to share their stories, I feel that are prepared to present the subject matter in an informed and engaging way."
The SJTC: Second Stage planning committee jumped on the idea when Rawding pitched it. "We want people to be challenged," says committee member Lisa Flower. "The arts have always provided growth and evolution within cultures all over the world. Where would Paris be without its artists? What would New York be like without Broadway? While we definitely want our audiences to be entertained, we want them to grow with us!"
"Perhaps in larger Canadian cities, the subject matter would not be considered edgy, but for Saint John audiences, this represents an opportunity to share stories and viewpoints that are not often represented in our more traditional, conservative city. In this sense, it is a perfect fit for our fringe-like festival," adds Rawding.
Don't let this scare you however. When it comes right down to it, the overriding theme is not about being gay or straight, but of acceptance.
"They will laugh, they may cry, they might even be challenged in ways they could not have anticipated, but with any luck they will see a little bit of themselves in some of the characters depicted in the play, too," says Rawding, when asked what he hoped our audiences will get out of this piece. "In this sense, the show represents an opportunity to walk a few steps in someone else's shoes. For example, it is one thing for a straight person to watch a member of the GLBT community march past them in a parade, but it is another to get the chance to see and hear personal stories about their lives and therefore get to know people on a more intimate level."
And, in the end, isn't that what matters?
TotE is offering three performances of "Out on the Edge" at the Mary Oland Theatre, Tuesday, August 7th, at 8 pm, Friday, August 10th, at 6:30 pm, and Sunday, August 12th, at 2 pm. Tickets are $10. Tuesday and Friday night performances are included on the Festival Pass which is $30.
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posted by Lisa at 9:45 AM
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