Creative cabaret

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

An idea that started with one former student’s passion for theatre has turned into a community event that hopes to shine a light, quite literally, on Strathmore High School’s theatre program.

On Saturday, July 5 at 7 p.m., the SHS Theatre will host Strathmore Needs a Cabaret, an evening of live music featuring former and current SHS performers. Admission is $5, or pay what you will, with proceeds going toward much-needed lighting maintenance for the school’s theatre.

The event is the brainchild of SHS graduate Evan Lloyd, who is studying musical theatre at MacEwan University. Lloyd says the idea came from wanting to create more opportunities for artists while giving back to a place that helped shape him.

“I know lots of folks around here, the arts are very important to them but there’s not always opportunities for people to, or at least easily accessible opportunities for people to, practice their art and perform for community members,” Lloyd said. “The fundraising aspect of it … I did lots of technical theatre work when I was in high school, and a big part of that was the maintenance of the lighting in the Strathmore High School Theatre. They’re a little outdated, and I think the students would really benefit from some upgrades.”

Drama teacher Deanne Bertsch said she immediately supported the idea when Lloyd approached her. 

“He was a former drama student,” Bertsch said. “He has gone on now to Grant MacEwan University to study musical theatre; I just think it’s so cool.”

She said Lloyd organized nearly every aspect of the production himself, from recruiting performers to coordinating rehearsals. 

“I wanted to kind of stay hands off too, so it’s just his thing.” she said.

Lloyd credits the people around him for making the event possible.

“It’s actually been made very simple just by knowing some really great people,” he said.

One of those people is accompanist Loralee Laycock, who agreed to learn the music and perform alongside the singers. 

“She was gracious enough to learn lots of music and help us out in that zone, so we’re very grateful to her,” said Lloyd.

Beside Lloyd, the lineup also includes Khloe Paiha, Kyler Leger, Isaac Taylor, Sarah Taylor and Ini Ajirireloja, with Lloyd hinting that a few surprise performers have joined since the poster was printed. 

“There’s actually some more folks that have signed on since I made the poster, so that’ll be a fun surprise,” he said.

For Bertsch, the evening is about much more than fundraising.

“I just think I feel so proud of him for going after what he loves and what he’s passionate about,” she said. “And that he wanted to bring something to Strathmore back from what he’s learned; the fact that he made it (about) the lights was such a lovely way to give back.”

While audiences can expect an evening of music, Lloyd says they’ll also see a glimpse into what matters most to the performers.

“The night is going to be full of people showing things that are very important to them,” he said. “That’s gonna be fun songs, and funny songs, and heartfelt songs. I think it’s just going to be a really nice evening where people can see what some really great artists in their community care about.

“It’s just been really lovely to see some folks that I haven’t seen in a while or performed with in a while. Seeing people grow and become really confident and competent artists and community members, it’s really lovely to get together with people and do music together.”