Bernie Hughes
Northern News Services

( The following is part two of a three-part series on theatrical activity in Yellowknife )

NNSL (Jun 11/99) - Last week, I suggested that theatre in Yellowknife has evolved into a community phenomenon.

As part of that idea, this week I'd like to address the issues of community participation as well as look at the role of the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre.

Yellowknifers certainly seem to like being in and watching plays. What attracts volunteers to theatre?

By its nature, theatre is an organic form -- emotive and intimate, requiring a psychological and emotional commitment different from hockey, slo-pitch or other traditional recreational or athletic pursuits. It thrives on human interaction, requiring high degrees of patience and tolerance.

The behind-the-scenes action is as important as the play on stage. If Yellowknife has a historical community disposition, then it is characterized for the past 50 years by residents who are generous with their time and are willing to make the commitment necessary to complete a project.

The many theatre events available to local people provide a vehicle and opportunity for new, undiscovered Yellowknife talent to emerge. Just as important, the theatre community in Yellowknife is not cliquish. Actors, directors, playwrights and production people support each other and function like a collective. The larger community recognizes this and responds in kind. This is certainly the case for the business community in Yellowknife.

Last, Yellowknife has a well-educated theatre-going public, knowledgeable of drama, having attended productions in many of the theatre capitals around the world.

The existence of the NACC facility figures as an important factor in the success of local theatre. Many communities simply do not have anything equal to a facility like NACC. NACC has audience seating of over 300. Theatre accounts for 75 per cent of NACC's offerings. As part of its mandate to support arts and culture, NACC publicizes and promotes theatrical events in Yk.

NACC has a sound administration, a full-time manager and a board active in the promotion of the performing arts. When a facility like NACC is added to the mix of a strong talent pool and a highly-motivated community, a culture of development and enhancement occurs.

Without a doubt, NACC plays a key role in the surge of community theatre. But is NACC doing enough? Taking performing arts to the next step may require the addition of professional, artistic staff to support management. Certainly, a full-time director of performing arts working out of NACC with a community-based mandate would be a logical next step on the path of cultural development.

Next week, I will look at the role of directors and the financing of theatre.

(Bernie Hughes is a Yellowknifer with a more-than-passing interest in the arts scene.)