Agit-prop Theatre (short for Agitation-Propaganda) was a movement that began in Russia after the Revolution in 1917, worked its way through much of Europe, most notably Germany, and began in the U.S. in the early thirties. Exemplified by Clifford Odets, Elmer Rice, and Langston Hughes, it is characterized by the belief that theatre can address the serious social and political ills prevalent around us.
Simply put, it is theatre that would rather heal a wound than scratch an itch or tickle a funnybone, although it is quite capable of doing both.
This tradition is alive and well and flourishing in the Owen Sound area. Sheatre is an award-winning company that was founded in 1985 by Artistic Director Joan Chandler and has brought to life 118 plays throughout Ontario and abroad. Her particular talent is engaging with the community and tapping into the creative abilities of those who become part of the collective.
According to David Sereda, who has been an Associate Artist with Sheatre since 2002, once a project is commissioned, the process involves assembling potential cast members from the community, many of whom have worked with Sheatre before, compiling research, a call for stories relevant to the issue, and the workshopping of scenes resulting from the collective into a play.
The creators take great pride in producing these works in a rural setting, where such opportunities are rarely offered. Some very fine works of Canadian theatre, such as Theatre Passe Muraille’s The Farm Show (1972) and 25th Street Theatre’s Paper Wheat (1977) had their origin in a rural community.
Some of the highlights of Sheatre’s recent history include: Far from the Heart (2003), an exploration of sexual assault and consent which has been performed for thousands of students across Canada; Be Our Ally (2007), an interactive performance which examines the challenges facing LGBTQ youth and the effects of bullying and homophobia; and The Dementia Play, which began its life during a radio interview on CFOS with Joan Chandler and Sandra Hong from the Alzheimer Society of Grey Bruce, later becoming a touring production performed by actors living with dementia. There is a short doc available on Youtube called Dementia Project Final (2019).
Currently, the company is touring on Remembering Gladys Ryan, an exploration of older intimate partner violence and elder abuse, at the request of the Grey Bruce Community Legal Clinic.
“Older people are often invisible and this is on the rise,” says Sereda.
Using the process that has worked so well for them before, members of the community who are passionate about the subject were engaged, stories were gathered, and the scenes were created and workshopped.
The interactive show premiered on June 23 at the Listowel Agricultural Hall. Funding has been secured for a total of ten performances throughout the area until late fall. The full schedule has not been fully set at this time, but you can find out if there is a performance near you by checking out the website at www.sheatre.com.
For those who might be curious about their own creativity, Sheatre is also sponsoring a free Creative Arts Workshop series for adults 55+ from September 22 to November 24 at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre. Registration details are on the website.
Kevin Land is a playwright, director, producer, and educator. He owns Speaking Volumes Books and Audio in Markdale.