Since the meeting on February 21st - everything has gone into high gear both here and for the FIVE groups.  Here, posters have been designed, printed and distributed.  Interviews with radio, local cable and newspaper are out there and we're thrilled to have made the cover of WOW (What's on Woodstock) a monthly magazine about local happenings.  A great article inside as well, complete with old photos to help celebrate Theatre Woodstock's 70th year.  And then there are the casts & crews of our FIVE Festival shows.  Adrenaline is pumping in Elmira, London, Elora, Simcoe and Sarnia.  Truck rentals confirmed, reservations made and fingers crossed.

Being in Festival means moving your show to a new venue that may be larger, smaller, have a different lighting or sound system.  This often means needing to add crew to help move things or deal with new tech demands.  And life happens.  People get sick, circumstances change, and sometimes people who were part of the show need to be replaced.  We all know of actors stepping into roles at the last minute - sometimes carrying a script.  Sarnia finds themselves in the unusual situation of having to replace their pianist - no small feat when your show is about Beethoven. As I write this, Andrew Norris is carefully editing the program to keep up with additions and changes.  Our print deadline is looming!

We also know that sometimes things get left behind and our Tech/Stage management team is here to help, as are many others.  Locations of hardware and dollar stores will be readily available, if we don't have what is needed.  Once many years ago we had to extend a trailer set as the show was going to a larger stage.  When we arrived in Guelph we realized that the exterior extension piece had been left behind.  Some frantic phone calls (no cells back then) to find someone with keys and a truck to bring it.  Luckily we weren't in Thunder Bay!

But all that extra adrenalin and energy adds to Festival week.  So does the comradery. Techies from one play will help with another. I recall one year when some costumes pieces were borrowed from another production because, after all, "the show must go on" - and it always does.   And what a wonderful week of shows we have in store.  Such variety! We have Beethoven and Elvis, robberies and lotteries, and a city kid wanting to write a play about farming. Three are Canadian, two are award winning scripts and one just had its première!  Something for everyone. See one or see them all!

All adjudications & workshops are in the Altadore Room on the lower level.

Workshop registration is in the Hospitality Suite (Wellington Room near 204).