YES Theatre in Sudbury is celebrating a huge milestone.
The organization has been around for 10 years and has announced its 2018/2019 season, that organizers say won't disappoint.
It has been a decade since Artistic Director Alessandro Costantini, who was born and raised in the Greater Sudbury community of Garson, created YES Theatre Company.
So how does this anniversary feel?
“Life affirming. It really feels good to know we've had this significant impact." said Costantini.
A fundraising concert called ‘I Got Life- From Hair to Now’ will kick off the start of the10th season in January.
In February, a two-day performance of The Little Prince will take place at Le Théâtre Du Nouvel- Ontario. But one of the most exciting offerings includes a development workshop presentation of the group’s very first original musical.
"It celebrates the experience of being a young person in Sudbury. And it’s been amazing. I just think right now there’s a moment in the Canadian theatre landscape where you know people are really examining our contribution to the musical theatre form. And I feel as though we have a responsibility as artists in northern Ontario to make sure that our voice and our stories are heard." said Costantini.
Jake Deeth is the group’s associate artistic director and involved with the company for nine years and says the organization has made a name for itself and the Sudbury community.
"The impact that YES is making artistically and socially and in the community has reached out to other cities outside of Sudbury. I think it's getting a lot of attention to Sudbury and I hope it continues over the next 10 years, the next 20 years. I hope it never stops." said Deeth.
So what are the plans for the next ten years?
Costantini says he would like to see the summer theatre festival become one of the biggest musical theatre festivals in the country.
"And I think we can. Sudbury in the summer is already such a beautiful place, and having this organization and this festival is really going to diversify the offerings that we have as a tourist attraction in northern Ontario. I think our community can totally sustain something like this and it’s just another reason for people to come and experience the beauty that Sudbury has to offer." said Costantini.
This year’s summer festival will feature Mamma Mia in July and James and the Giant Peach in August.
In the meantime, theatregoers can take in the last offering of the 2017/2018 season with the concert production of The Sound Of Music featuring a full orchestra at Glad Tidings December 6 - 8.
