Rosebud Theatre garners nominations, award

By Laureen F. Guenther Times Contributor

Rosebud Theatre was recently the recipient of a Calgary Theatre Critics Award, or Critter as it is known in the industry, and the theatre also garnered several nominations.

Brian Ball received the Critter for his functional set design for Rosebud Theatre’s holiday show A Christmas Story. The production, directed by Paul Muir, was also nominated for best direction and best production of a play.

“It’s certainly another feather in Rosebud Theatre’s cap,” said Paul Muir. “It’s just another affirmation that the work that has been done in Rosebud is certainly on par with anything that people might see in Calgary or at any other larger centre.”

Zach Running Coyote, a 2019 Rosebud School of the Arts graduate, also received two Critter nominations: one for best original play and best leading performance for his play Snowblind, which he performed at Calgary’s Lunchbox Theatre in 2019.

COVID restrictions came into place before Rosebud Theatre opened its spring play. The theatre’s two summer shows have also been cancelled, creating a significant loss of revenue for the theatre.

The theatre launched Giving Tuesday on May 5 – during the fundraising campaign, they received a matching donor of $10,000. Subsequent donations totalled over $30,000, plus the matching $10,000.

On May 28, the theatre kicked off its Rosebud Lives campaign with the online launch of the 20-minute film, Rosebud, Alberta: A Documentary, by Eric Pauls. Two donors had joined to offer a matching incentive of $50,000, and a third donor offered $10,000 more.

Less than a month later, Rosebud Lives has already exceeded that goal, bringing in about $122,000 to date.

“It is such a blessing. We’re over the moon,” Muir said. “We’re completely humbled and grateful for the generosity of not only our foundation donors, our matching donors, but all the other people who have stepped up and stepped in and supported us through this time.”

Muir said they’ll soon announce Phase 2 of Rosebud Lives, because another matching donor has stepped forward.

This summer, Rosebud Mercantile is offering takeaway meals on Fridays and Saturdays, and snacks and drinks on weekdays.

The theatre is also exploring the possibility of outdoor performances in July and August.

Rosebud Theatre’s fall and Christmas shows are “in discussion,” Muir said, but they have not been cancelled.

“We’re for sure hoping to roll something out, whether it’s something that is already scheduled for the fall or maybe something else, as soon as it’s safe to do so,” he said.

Rosebud School of the Arts is set to start the fall term as usual, with a total staff and student body fitting within Alberta Health Service’s 50-person cohort.

“How can we not be optimistic with the kind of support and affirmation we’ve been receiving?” Muir asked. “We’re not out of the woods. But as long as we keep receiving that kind of affirmation, we’re going to keep taking the next step.”