Update

A celebratory kind of year

Connecting with our community during the RDC Arts Centre’s 25th Anniversary

Lights. Camera. Action. To the mix add dance, music, theatre and an appealing array of performances for a premium lineup of entertainment – all at the Arts Centre 25th Anniversary celebration.

Starting last September, our year-long celebration honoured the contributions of the community and the thousands of musicians, technicians, artists, volunteers and patrons who have invested in the Arts Centre over the years. 

To build community involvement, the 25th Anniversary Launch Weekend took place throughout Alberta Arts Days (Sept 29-Oct 2). With more than 700 audience members, this free-admission event featured an open call to central Alberta residents.

“Artists from a variety of styles and disciplines were chosen to hit the Mainstage, ranging from folk music and rock & roll to hula hoops and theatrical stage combat,” says Steve Sherman, Music Instructor. One exciting event for Sherman was when band students from three schools – Hunting Hills High School, Notre Dame High School and Innisfail High School – joined the Symphonic Winds on Mainstage to create a mass band with over 175 performers. “With so many musicians, I had to stand on a box to conduct!”

An afternoon Master Class workshop presented by alumni Kevin Sharp and Curtis Phagoo invited students and community to learn about the process of creating and producing an album of original works.

The RDC Arts Centre was built in the spirit of innovation by collaboration and partnerships. With roots dating back to 1986, we plan to continue this tradition through a two-pronged approach of learning and technology.

For instance, plans are being developed for a major lighting and projection upgrade, helping RDC keep its place on the world stage and allowing students to study in one of the finest performing arts facilities worldwide. 

An interactive event with the Symphonic Winds welcomed children to sit on stage and even conduct the band! After the concert, children and their families enjoyed milk and cookies in the lobby, then participated in a “musical petting zoo” where children could touch and try out the instruments.

“We take our role as leaders in the central Alberta arts community seriously,” says Dale Wheeler, Chairperson, Performing Arts, “and the next 25 years will be no different. Understanding that a vibrant arts and cultural sector contributes to a healthy and stable society, we’ll keep scholarship dollars and opportunities strong – to ensure that our youth are offered educational pursuits in their area of passion, and to make certain that the development of arts in the community continues.” 

The Arts Centre 25th Anniversary has created opportunities to invest in the future of arts in central Alberta by inspiring youth and the community to experience the arts in a renowned facility. What better way to engage our community and alumni with the heart of the Performing Arts at RDC! 

More celebration highlights - The Canola Project Experiment, led by RDC faculty Lynda Adams, engaged community, alumni, RDC students and special guests from rural and urban Alberta. This interdisciplinary arts experiment has been selected to participate in the 2012 celebration “30 Plays for 30 Year” in New York City this summer. - Hosting Senator Tommy Banks was present at the film premiere of Mapping Creativity; he also presented a workshop to RDC students.