TotB: the Flintstone Vitamins of Storytellers?

Selah’s Song: An Original, Social Justice Folk Musical

From an early age, we learn through stories. The “Dos” and “Don’ts” in nursery rhymes and parables trick us into learning. You have such a good time listening to the tale, when it’s all over, the teacher literally has to ask you, “What was the moral of that story?” You learned, but you had so much fun doing it, you didn’t realize. 

Having always struggled with reading, I was forced to engage with stories in an auditory manner, often in group settings: bedtime stories, teachers reading a loud in class, friends around campfires, playing imaginary games at recess. These fun, participatory forms of story telling further developed my appreciation for the ritual of a good story told well: this is probably what attracted me to theatre. 

As an artists and an activists, Theatre of the Beat has always been interested in using story as a tool for social change. We want to challenge and inspire, to edify and entertain! But “social justice theatre” has had a bad rap. People want light and fluffy, they think “social justice theatre” equals a depressing Soap-box built for ranting and guilt-tripping. Sounds fun right? Kind of like drinking Buckley’s Cough Medicine: you know if you drink it, things will get better, but it just tastes so darn terrible.

So, with a Merry Poppins rendition of “spoonful of sugar” in mind, TotB is pleased to announce it’s upcoming season! One that strives to be the Flintstone Vitamins of “social justice theatre”, a medicinal, yet oh so tasty 2014! This year, we are very excited to announce that we’ll be premiering “Selah’s Song” (a social justice folk musical in partnership with SmallTall Music) at Nineteen on the Park in January, and “Committed” (a dromedy about marriage, in partnership with Shalom Counselling) at the Conrad Centre in May!

We’ll be providing you with more details as the shows draw nearer, but yes, Theatre of the Beat’s upcoming season is proving to be unlike any other. We’ll be trying out some new, never-before-been-tested techniques of song and laughter that promise to make 2014, a big year for social justice theatre!

Until next time,

Johnny Wideman
Artistic Director
Theatre of the Beat

They just grow up so darn fast

Rebecca and Kim, leading a workshop at Camp Kahquah

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Nearly two years and five months ago, at a dining table in Winnipeg, MB, I sat down to a computer – Benjamin Wert by my side – and clicked a button that asked something along the lines of, “you actually wanna start a social justice theatre company…really?”. I clicked “yes” and printed off a piece of paper that proved Theatre of the Beat existed; but that was as far ahead as I had thought.

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Now, since June 14th, 2011, we have completed three cross-country tours, created 6 (soon to be 7) shows, and have performed over 100 times in theatres, churches, high schools, and even prisons across Canada and into the United States. With hopes and dreams that far expanded the boundaries of a “Sole Proprietorship”, it should come as no surprise that we have quickly outgrown the “business” as it was originally registered.

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And so, I am very pleased to announce that, Theatre of the Beat will be moving into the non-profit sector! Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be working with our Lawyers, newly appointed Board members, and the rest of the Company to draft a brand-spank’n new Constitution, ready to be signed in late November!

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Thank you to everyone who has helped to support us this far. By coming to shows, by following us online, for talking about our work, we couldn’t have done it without you! We never could have imagined that we would have come so far in such a short period of time, and for this, we are forever grateful.

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Until then,

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Johnny Wideman

Artistic Director

Theatre of the Beat

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A social justice folk musical?

Theatre of the Beat’s Upcoming Folk Musical Original!

Theatre of the Beat is proud to present “Selah’s Song”, a heart warming musical about a young girl whose courage inspired a village, and whose song became an anthem of peace.

It will run from January 9-11th at Nineteen on the Park Theatre in Stouffville, Ontario and features original music from singer-songwriter Bryan Moyer Suderman.

Unlike the typical Theatre of the Beat performance, this will be mainly a community cast production meaning we need YOU. Auditions are  Thursday, Sept. 12 at Nineteen on the Park @ 7pm. Don’t worry about bringing a monologue or preparing anything, it’ll be a very casual, fun group audition.

Any one interested in auditioning should contact production@theatreofthebeat.com to register. All ages (come on out adults) and levels of experience are welcome.  Hope to see you there!