wâhkôhtowin

Graphics designed by Taegan O'Bertos 

Engage With The Story

We want you to engage with our story before and after you participate in the live performance. Building on the success of our inaugural Language Project, we are happy to once again partner with the Open Door Society to showcase our story in multiple languages. Our languages project videos will feature 8 local language keepers! Check out our YouTube channel for all things Langauge Project. 

"What does wâhkôhtowin mean in my language?" watch below. 

This entire project was filmed and edited by Little Ox Film Company. See their work at www.littleoxfilmcompany.ca

And our friends at the Saskatoon Public Library have created a booklist for all ages to read more about wâhkôhtowin. 

wâhkôhtowin  

TD Bank Presents - Theatre in the Park 2022

Theatre in the Park is an original play offered free of charge in neighbourhood parks around Saskatchewan each July. Due to the extreme weather last summer, Theatre in the Park 2022 is being performed in May and June. As always, we create our production in response to current issues. It's fun and thought-provoking performance for people of all ages. Catchy original music and colourful sets, props and costumes bring our stories to life. 

This year’s offering is a family friendly show about the kinship between all things. We have all felt the affects of the past two years. Connections between relations have become more important to mend or hold close. What happens when the connections break? When the community is fractured? How do we rebuild what's broken? Please come join us in our public parks for "wâhkôhtowin" 

Stay tuned to our social media this spring to follow the show!

No tickets this year -- Just arrive to the park before showtime!!


Our productions are made possible by the generous support of our sponsors.

Saskatoon & Area Performances

May 5th - Adelaide Park (Adelaide/Churchill - PREVIEW) 7pm 

May 6th - Chief Darcy Bear Park (Nutana - OPENING) 7pm  

May 8th - Alexander MacGillivray Young Park (Stonebridge) 1pm & 4pm (ASL Performance) 

May 9th - W.J.L. Harvey Park North (Silverwood Heights) 7pm 

May 10th - Wilson Park (City Park) 7pm 

May 11th - Grace Adam Metawewinihk Park (Pleasant Hill) 7pm.         (ASL Performance)

May 12th - Al Anderson Park (Hampton Village) 7pm 

Mat 13th - Swick Park ( Rosewood) 7pm 

May 15th - G.D. Archibald Memorial Park (Richmond Heights) 2pm & 7pm (ASL Performance)

May 16th - Grosvenor Park (Grosvenor) 7pm 

May 17th - Mount Royal Park (Mount Royal) 7pm 

May 18th - Optimist Park (Riversdale) 7pm (ASL Performance)

May 19th - Ashworth Holmes Park (Caswell Hill) 4pm - 7pm 

May 20th - Les Kerr Park (Forest Grove) 7pm 

May 22nd - H.S. Sears Park (Fairhaven) 7pm (ASL Performance) 

May 23rd - Dr. Seager Wheeler Park (Westview) 7pm 

May 24th - Lakeview Park (Lakeview) 7pm 

May 25th - A.H. Browne Park (Mayfair) 7pm

May 26th - Silverspring Park (Silverspring) 7pm (ASL Performance)

May 27th - Weaver Park (Queen Elizabeth/Exhibition/Haultain) 7pm 

May 29th - Diamond Park (Warman) 2pm

May 29th - Lions Park (Martensville) 7pm (ASL Performance)

May 30th - Montgomery Park (Montgomery) 7pm 

May 31st - Robert Hunter East Park (River Heights)  7pm 

June 1st - Parc Canada (Confederation) 7pm (ASL Performance)

June 2nd - Kinsmen Park (Rosetown)7pm 

June 3rd - Buena Vista School ( Buena Vista - CLOSING) 7pm 

Regina & Area  

June 5th - Davidson School - (Davidson) 2pm  

June 6th - Elsie Dorsey Park (Whitmore Park - Regina) 7pm 

June 7th - Glencairn Park (Dewdney East - Regina) 7pm 

June 8th - Dixon Park (Indian Head) 1:30pm 

June 9th - Jim Cairns Park (Harbour Landing - Regina) 7pm 

June 10th -  Thomson Community School (Heritage - Regina) 7pm 

June 12th - mâmawêyatitân Centre (North Central - Regina CLOSING ) 2pm & 7pm 

Northern Tour 

June 15th - Prince Albert - King George School 7pm (ASL Performance)

June 16th - La Ronge - Morley Wilson Park 7pm 

June 17th - Stanley Mission - Keethanow School 11:15am CANCELLED DUE TO WILDFIRE

SHOW ADDED: June 17th - Prince Albert - King George School 2pm

June 18th - Waskesiu - Main Beach Park 2pm & 4pm 

Cast & Crew

Sarah Bergbusch

Ensemble

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Sarah Bergbusch (she/her) is a theatre artist from Regina, Saskatchewan. She is passionate about performing on the prairies and is proud to call Saskatchewan home! Sarah has worked throughout Saskatchewan with Arts Organizations such as Globe Theatre, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, Live Five Theatre, Curtain Razors, Common Weal, and Sum Theatre. This is Sarah’s second summer with SUM Theatre’s Theatre in The Park. She is thrilled to be back singing, dancing, and puppeteering in the parks of Saskatoon and beyond. 

Chris Krug-Iron

Ensemble 

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Chris (he/him) is currently finishing his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting  at the University of Saskatchewan, and has just completed his Bachelor of Education through the ITEP program. Coming from the Canoe Lake Cree First Nation in Treaty 10 territory, he feels honoured to get the opportunity to work in theatre as a Cree artist. Chris has been fortunate to work with many different theatre professionals and people from all walks of life and feels diversity is a strength and abundant source of inspiration. He has performed in Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan’s Macbeth, Greystone Theatre’s Arcadia, Henry V, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Machinal, Frankenstein, Gordon Winter, and Unity (1918) as well as DSA Productions’ Rooftops. Chris has also had the distinct pleasure of working with GTNT’s Circle of Voices several times. 

S.E Grummett

Ensemble 

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S.E. Grummett (they/them) is a queer, transgender theatre artist from Treaty 6 Territory. Over the past 5 years, Grumms has created a body of original queer work and toured it to festivals and stages around the world. They are the co-creator of “SCUM: a manifesto”, “Pack Animals” and “Creepy Boys”. Their solo-show, “Something in the Water", won “Best Theatre” at the Adelaide Fringe and was selected by the High Commission of Canada for Spotlight Canada 2021. Their creations have been seen at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Twin Cities Horror Festival, Undercurrents Festival, Persephone Theatre and Live Five. Outside of self-creation, Grumms also works as a performer, puppeteer & video artist. 

Peace Akintade

Ensemble

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Peace Akintade is an African Canadian Interdisciplinary Poet, Public Speaker, and Thespian residing in Saskatoon Saskatchewan.  Co-coordinator of Write Out Loud, a Saskatoon-based Youth Poetry Community. Playwright (Obsidian Theatre)( Black Theatre Workshop AMP), Performer (SUMTheatre "Outside the Box"), Tybalt("Romeo Project" Saskatoon Fringe Festival). Her other written works can be found in the History Folklore Society, Kindred Cities, CBC, Global News, SaskArts, the Saskatchewan Writers Guild, the Voices of Today Anthology, “Birthday Party'' Anthology, Leaders Post, TOAST, and SaskCulture.
She is currently part of the Artist Mentorship Program with Black Theatre Workshop in Montreal working on her debut play "Painted Elephant". The play was shortlisted for the IBPOC 2021 Persephone Theatre Commission.

Mitchel Larsen 

Ensemble 

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As a child, living in rural Saskatchewan, Mitchell(they/him) dreamt of sprouting fawn legs and bounding through the prairie, conjuring melodies on cliff sides, trees opening their eyes as they lumber through the streets. With siblings and friends, Mitchell carved out palaces of snow, explored alien ships, and constructed haunted houses.Nowadays, Mitchell voyages through alternate Oz’s, feels their body billowing, the sail of a ship, summits dumpsters that are mountains, and persisting: the struggle of roots, the cracking of pavement as elm, oak, apple stretch, plant limbs in fresh earth, rise up to stride, lids parting to survey new worlds.

Krystle Pederson 

Ensemble/Musician/

Artistic Associate    

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KRYSTLE PEDERSON is a Cree/Metis actor singer songwriter with an outstanding career. Krystle is a recipient of CBC Future 40 Award, Shorted listed for the Saskatchewan Arts Awards for Emerging artist as well as a nomination in the YWCA Woman of Distinction Awards.  Krystle’s list of acting credits includes Saskatchewan film Run: Broken Yet Brave; Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre: The (Post) Mistress, Sum Theatre’s Little Badger and the Fire Spirit, National Arts Centre’s “Gabriel Dumont Wild West Show.” Ferre Play Theatre “Penelopiad” . Currently Krystle is the lead vocalist for “Lynx Lamour Goes to Nashville” a brand-new one-woman Cree musical written and composed by Tomson Highway. Krystle has had the great pleasure of taking this musical to New Zealand and has been touring Canada over the past two years. Krystle Has just returned home from Winnipeg having worked with Manitoba Theatre for Young People on the World Premier of “Frozen River” 


Megan Zong 

Ensemble

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Megan Zong is an actor and emerging playwright based in Saskatoon, Treaty 6 Territory, who graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with her B.F.A. in acting. Recently, she wrote, produced, and assistant directed her show Unmasked which premiered in September 2021. Select acting credits include: Chicago, The Hobbit, Mamma Mia! (Globe Theatre); Pride and Prejudice, Boeing Boeing (Persephone Theatre); and The Young Ones, Queen Seraphina and the Land of Vertebraat, Earth Diver, #Consent, Through the Window (Sum Theatre).

Donovan Scheirer

Ensemble/Musician

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Donovan (he/him) is a Saskatoon based actor and musician originally from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and is a frequent collaborator with SUM Theatre. Past credits with SUM Theatre include Turn Turn Turn, The Young Ones, Theatre in the Pool, The Hockey Sweater, Little Badger and the Fire Spirit, and Hercules. Donovan received the SATAward for best musical direction and outstanding composition for Two Corpses Go Dancing (Live Five). Donovan is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Education at the University of Saskatchewan. He is also a proud uncle to two wonderful nephews. Stay safe, everyone!

Kris Alvarez

Ensemble

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Kris is a theatre artist, a Regina monologue, a brown kid grateful for the village who raises her. She is privileged to build relationships in artful ways (Curtain Razors, Fadadance, Artesian, Globe Theatre, Common Weal) Kris performs in other people’s work (Bad Blood, Carmen Angel), makes her own work (What Kind of Brown Are You, Burnt Sienna), and moments before the pandemic, she was humbled by life-inspiring experiences (Reasonable Doubt) Through the pandemic & onward, Kris continues… in film (Donkeyhead, Karma Films / Agam Darshi), in parks (The Other Side of the River, Sum Theatre), on TV (ZARQA, CBC Gem), onstage (Making Spirits Bright – Globe Theatre) and in creation (Acknowledging). Kris is happy to drive back up the 11 to join Sum Theatre for the 2022 Theatre in the Park!

Joel Bernbaum

Co-Director/Artistic Director

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Joel Bernbaum is an actor, director, playwright, journalist and the founding artistic director of Sum Theatre. He is a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts and Carleton University, where he did his Master’s Thesis on Verbatim Theatre’s Relationship to Journalism. Produced plays include Operation Big Rock, My Rabbi (with Kayvon Khoshkam), Home Is a Beautiful Word, Reasonable Doubt (with Lancelot Knight and Yvette Nolan) and Being Here, The Refugee Project.. Previously for Sum Theatre, Joel has performed in Alice in Wonderland and The Pied Piper and has directed Walk the Trail, Hercules, Little Badger and the Fire Spirit, Nutana Talks, The Hockey Sweater, Theatre in the Pool: Earth Diver, Queen Seraphina and the Land of Vertebraat and The Young Ones (with Judy Wensel), Through the Window (with Judith Schulz) and The Other Side of the River (with Judy Wensel). Joel is currently a PhD candidate in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Saskatchewan, where he is investigating the potential of theatre companies to strengthen cities

Laura Negraeff

Co-Director/Artistic Associate

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Laura Negraeff is a writer, director, performer, assistant stage manager, and educator who recently joined the Sum Theatre team as a producer/artistic associate. She holds a BA in English, a Masters of Educational Foundations from the University of Saskatchewan and an Advanced Certificate in Human Resources from SaskPolytechnic. After twelve years teaching Business at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, Laura is thrilled to be be combining her knowledge of business with her passion for community engagement and the arts. Laura has been an active volunteer with Saskatoon Summer Players for many years with select credits including, The Addams Family: A New Musical (director), Annie (Miss Hannigan), and Cabaret (Fräulein Kost). She has also worked with Ppl r Ppl Productions on Avenue Q (Assistant Stage Manager) and The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom). She is excited for the opportunity to share, learn, and create as part of the Sum Theatre team.

Ricardo Alvarado

Production Manager

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Ricardo Alvarado (Production Manager) is a local theatre artist who believes in the power of music, positive energy, diversity, and teamwork. He is the Artistic Producer for Saskatoon Summer Players, the co-founder of Ppl r Ppl Productions, a long-time member of Artists Against Hunger, and he spends his spare time daydreaming and pretending to be a grown-up. This is Ricardo's third season with SUM Theatre and he is grateful for the opportunity to create with such a wonderful group of artists on a regular basis. Past Credits: La Troupe du Jour, Persephone Theatre, SUM Theatre, Ppl r Ppl, SSP, Live Five, Shakespeare on the SK, Greystone Theatre, and Saskatoon Opera. Up next, he's directing and starring as Jeff in [Title of Show] for Ppl r Ppl Productions and getting ready to once again hit the parks in both Saskatoon and Regina with SUM's Theatre in the Park show this summer!

Johanna Arnott

Assistant Stage Manager 

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Johanna (she/her) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist who works primarily as an actor, writer, stage manager and newbie director. A selection of her theatre credits include: The Last Children (SM; Curtain Razors Theatre), Shadows Among the Prairies (SM; GTNT), The Winter’s Tale (actor; Bridge Theatre Co.), The Wolves (actor; littleBIG Theatre & Evilstick Productions), You Said We’d be Together Forever (director; We Treaty People Burnt Thicket Theatre), and Breaking the Curse (co-director; 25th Street Theatre & Ferre Play). Johanna is thrilled to be a part of the Sum Theatre team again this summer.  When she’s not working in theatre, Johanna enjoys knitting, saying hi to dogs, and doing crosswords with her partner.

Taegan O'Bertos

Designer/Puppet Master/Poster Design

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Taegan O’Bertos is an emerging artist from Saskatoon. Her most recent work includes costume and projection design for Reasonable Doubt (Persephone Theatre, 2020), Puppet designer/builder for the travelling theater experience of Turn, Turn, Turn...(Sum Theatre, 2020), and set design for I Lost My Husband (Persephone Backstage Theatre, 2019). Taegan’s design work has led to positions such as Head of Props at the University of Saskatchewan, and Production Assistant at Persephone Theatre. She has also found artistic outlets such as Shadow Puppet Builder, commissioned poster artist, and body painting artist. Taegan has her thinking mask on and is ready to create, innovate, and integrate safety consciousness into her upcoming projects!

Milaine Curé

Designer 

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Milaine Curé is a Manitoban artist.  Her recent works include, set and projection design for Avec ou Sans Filtre with Théâtre Cercle Molière (MB), projection design for Shadows Among the Prairies with Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre and set design for Unity 1916 with Greystone Theatre. 

Laura Crossman

Designer 

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Laura Crossman (she/her) is a Saskatoon-based artist working primarily in theatre and film. Laura co-designed and built puppets for Ppl r Ppl’s productions of Little Shop of Horrors and Avenue Q. Laura also designed costumes for The Rocky Horror Show and for other local theatre companies such as the Saskatoon Opera (Die Fledermaus), Saskatoon Summer Players (Annie, Grease & You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown) and La Troupe du Jour (Shadows of a Dancing Moon). Laura also works in the areas of wardrobe and set decorating for short films, music videos and commercial projects. 

Kevin Niessen

Audio Technician

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Bio coming soon!

Noah Rossmo

Builder

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Bio coming soon!

Ruaridh MacDonald

Composer/Musical Director 

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Ruaridh MacDonald (he/him) is an actor, singer, musician, composer & playwright from Treaty 4 where he works as an Artistic Associate at Globe Theatre. Ru is a 2017 graduate of Sheridan College’s Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance Program.  Theatre: Making Spirits Bright, The Hobbit,  Women of The Fur Trade, By Candlelight: A Fusion Project (Globe Theatre) The Nutcracker (Caravan Farm Theatre); Portia (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia); 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Chickens, Dogbarked, Fitz Happens! (Souris Valley Theatre); Floyd Collins, Trapdoor, Sunday In the Park With George, Shrek The Musical, How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (Theatre Sheridan) Upcoming: Queer Songbook Series (Regina Symphony Orchestra)

Writing/Composition: One Song, Glory (Musical Stage Co.); The Ordinary Adventures of Gordo & Herm (Super Wonder Gallery); narcissus: a cycle, The House of Special Purpose, hell hole (artpop.toronto)

Other: Ru is a member of Inveraray & District Pipe Band - current Scottish, European, and World Pipe Band Champions. In 2013 he recorded Ascension: Live at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall with the band.

Clinton Ackerman

Music Mentor 

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Clinton Ackerman has a diverse artistic practice, working as a composer, sound designer, and music educator. He has an MFA in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on music and social work from the University of Regina. Collaboration is central to Clinton’s creative practice and he has enjoyed composing/designing for many theatre productions around Saskatchewan. As a community-engaged artist he facilitates creative arts programming with youth for the holistic benefits the arts promote. Clinton recently launched an interdisciplinary arts education company called Pantala Arts Lab and is excited to see what the future holds for this new endeavor.

Mackenzie Dawson

Artistic Associate

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Born and raised in Saskatoon, Mac is proud to call the prairies home. He received his BFA in Acting from the University of Saskatchewan, and has since diversified his practice to include playwriting, direction, and stage management. Mac is grateful to play a role in Sum’s ongoing commitment to community-oriented art and radically-inclusive theatre-making. Projects with Sum Theatre include The Young Ones (Assistant Stage Manager) and The Hockey Sweater / Le Chandail (Co-Director).

Kay Wong 

Production Assistant

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Kay is a Chinese-Canadian actor, singer, and writer born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario. Kay began his love affair with the performing arts as a member of the Canadian Children's Opera Company, singing classical choral works and performing in productions such as A Dickens Of A Christmas. He would later also grow to love improv, competing in the Canadian Improv Games and working a co-op with the Second City. He graduated from George Brown Theatre School in 2021, featuring in Three Sisters & Co., Paradise Lost, and The Witch of Edmonton. Kay is excited for the opportunity to grow as a producer and creator with Sum Theatre and to explore the wider world of Canadian theatre.You can reach Kay at kaywongbusiness@gmail.com or @kaywongofficial on Instagram

Conor Farrell

Production Assistant

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Conor is a young Canadian artist operating out of Victoria, BC. He has recently
completed his BFA specializing in Theatrical Design at the University of Victoria in 2019.
While there Conor co-designed the set for the University's production of Othello
with fellow student Logan Swain (Theatre SKAM), supervised by Kerem Cetinel and
Patrick Du Wors. Conor also worked to adapt the original set of Morris Panych's 7
Stories, designed by Ken McDonald, for the Rodger Bishop stage; as well as designing
the costumes for Breakwater, a student-written piece.
Conor believes in the power of stories as well as the importance of fun; and that
everyone has a story to tell.

Yvette Nolan

Playwright/Company Dramaturg

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Yvette Nolan (Algonquin) is a playwright, director and dramaturg. Her work with Sum Theatre includes Thicker Than Water, Little Badger and the Fire Spirit, Queen Seraphina and the Land of Vertebraat, The Young Ones and Last Sunday. Other work includes The Tempest (Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan), Reasonable Doubt (Perspehone), The Unplugging (Arts Club; Factory; GTNT), the dance-opera Bearing (Signal Theatre), and the libretto Shawnadithit (Tapestry Opera). Her book, Medicine Shows, about Indigenous performance in Canada was published by Playwrights Canada Press in 2015. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Policy at Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Theatre in the Park

What is Theatre in the Park?

Theatre in the Park is a free professional live theatre show for everyone. We tour to over 26 communities around Saskatoon every summer.

This year with the support of Common Weal Community Arts, we are pleased to extend our tour to 5 Regina neighbourhoods, with additional performances in Davidson and Indian Head.

What are the shows about?

Our shows are about current relevant topics that bring together community and inspire conversation and dialogue for audiences far and wide, young and old. We have done shows about Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Relations, Newcomers, Disability, Climate Change, and Race Relations.

How much are tickets?

The show is free for everyone!

Do I need a reservation? 

No! Just come to the park

Are the artists paid?

Our professional artists are paid by our many wonderful sponsors and donors.

When is Theatre in the Park in my neighborhood?

Please see the schedule near the top of the page for information on when we will be visiting your neighbourhood, or a park near you. 

How long is the show?

The show this year runs approximately 45mins. 

Why come see Theatre in the Park?

Theatre in the Park is a fun filled experience that connects community members to live theatre, and each other.

Accessibility

Will there be ASL interpreters?

Yes! Sunday and Thursday performance in the Saskatoon portion of the show will feature ASL interpretation.

Will there be audio description?

There will be audio descriptions provided at two different performances. Please contact us if you are interested in this service.

Are the parks wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All the parks are wheelchair accessible. If needed we have staff on hand to assist you.

Seating

What time should I arrive at the park?

Please arrive no earlier than 30 mins before the show starts.

What should I do when I arrive at the park?

Once you arrive at the park please place your families around a hula hoop similar to last year. Please leave hula hoops where they are we are still trying maintain so social distancing for the safety of the actors and everyone coming to see the show. 

COVID Safety

How will Theatre in the Park be different this year because of COVID-19?

Each viewing area will be properly sanitized before and after each show and our performers will be socially distanced from the audience and each other. 

Will there be social distancing?

Audience members will be seated around a hula hoop that has been placed at least 2 metres apart from another hoop to preserve proper social distancing.

Can I move my hula hoop?

Please do not move the hula hoops. It’s very important to keep the hoops where they are so everyone can feel safe and enjoy the show.

What if I am really good at hula-hooping?

If you are REALLY good at hula-hooping you may stand in your spot and show us how good you are.

Can I bring a lawn chair to sit in?

Yes. But our staff will seat you in a certain location in order to preserve sight lines and spacing.

Will there be any music this year?

Yes! Musicians will be singing and playing on four platforms behind plexiglass at the edge of the park.

Thanks to our Sponsors!

Our Builders

Title Sponsor

K+S Indigenous Artist Mentorship Fund

Community Stage Sponsor

Regina Tour Co-Producer

K+S Indigenous Artist Mentorship Fund

Community Stage Sponsor

Music Sponsor

Regina Tour Co-Producer

Our Ambassadors

Community Connections Sponsor

Youth Engagement Series Sponsor

ASL Sponsor

Education Sponsor

Community Connections Sponsor

ASL Sponsor

Education Sponsor

Our Friends

Charles & Leila Olfert

Charles & Leila Olfert

Community Partners

Rosetown