Do not buy a ticket to the next Between Shifts Theatre Society performance, The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble because you think you should.
And don’t donate to the local theatre company because you think it is the right thing to do as a socially conscious Squamish resident.
Do both because the plays put on by the society at the Eagle Eye Community Theatre are darn good entertainment.
To be clear, it isn’t good “for a community theatre,” it is just great, period.
A play put on by Between Shifts beats whatever Netflix show is on tap, hands down.
The upcoming The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble, by celebrated Canadian playwright Beth Graham tackles family drama and Alzheimer’s disease with grace and humour.
Nothing beats going to a performance — watching quality acting by people who just so happen to be your neighbours — about things that matter to your life.
The walk or car ride home reflecting on how your worldview was changed or reinforced by what you saw is the gold of being human.
Of course, having a laugh and feeling less alone aren’t bad consequences either.
Just as for decades this town remained hidden in plain sight, with cars full of future residents speeding by with ski or hiking gear in their trunk headed to Whistler, currently many locals don’t seem to recognize the gem Squamish has with its live theatre.
The fear is, however, that by the time enough people wake up to the amazing talent on the Squamish stage, it will be too late.
The society, through no fault of its own, is struggling. Struggling for space to store its sets and gear and struggling to stay afloat.
Frankly, that is unacceptable.
Unlike our landscape, the Between Shifts Society can’t wait until the rest of the world figures out how great it is.
In addition to the quality of its casts, crews, sets and costumes, the society benefits our youth.
Between Shifts gives up and coming thespians a shot at taking to the stage with its talented veterans.
And it supports students who wish to pursue further theatre studies at a post-secondary institution by offering an annual bursary of $500 to a Howe Sound Secondary student who “shows exceptional dedication to theatre.”
So for your own sake and the sake of other Squamish residents, buy a ticket to the upcoming play, donate to the society and ensure working toward a permanent brick and mortar art space that could include Between Shifts is a municipal election issue come October.
