Upcoming Events
LADIES! Get our your best 40s-inspired party outfit, grab your gal pals and come out to the Empress Theatre's 16th annual Diamond Dinner! Your night out includes a scrumptious meal, top-notch entertainment and a bit of shopping at the Silent Auction. Then get ready to cut a rug! Tickets are $80 and include a tax donation of $25 for the Empress. Call the Box Office to reserve your tickets today! 403-553-4404
The Centre Stage Concert Series line-up has been announced for the 2017/2018 season. Season's subscriptions are $180 for six shows and are on sale until Sept. 4. Tickets for individual concerts will become available beginning Sept. 5 for $37.50 each. To purchase a subscription, please contact the Box Office at 403-553-4404. See the full-size poster here!
KENNY & DOLLY, TOGETHER AGAIN: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 7:30 PM
TICKETS: $45
The Dream Catchers is a free musical performance featuring a 26-member cast performing new original Canadian works across the country.
It's coming to the Empress Theatre on Sunday, Aug. 13 at 2 p.m., and is also showing at Writing-on-Stone on Aug. 11 and the Exhibition Grounds in Lethbridge on Aug. 12.
Summer Theatre Camps 2017
Stories with Character
Ages 8-14 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday, July 10 to Friday, July 14
Students will spend mornings doing creative activities focusing on acting and storytelling. They will work together with instructors to create, rehearse and perform an original short play. Performance will be Friday at 4:00 p.m. $125
Puppet Adventures
Ages 6-10 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Monday, July 17 to Friday, July 21
Campers will find, build, make, invent their own puppet – find its voice and character and show it off! Kids will learn many new things in this half-day camp and have fun too. They will be able to take their puppet home and keep it forever.
Performance will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. $65
Creativity in Motion
Ages 8-16 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday, July 24 to Friday, July 28
New this year - dance theatre! Participants will explore movement through dance. No previous dance experience necessary.
Performance will be Friday at 4:00 p.m. $125
Musical Theatre Triple Threat – Act, Sing, Dance
Ages 10-17 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday, July 31 to Friday, Aug. 4
Triple Threat campers will explore a variety of disciplines and work on scenes that will appear in the performance at the end of the week. If you are interested in being in our community musicals, this one is not to be missed!
Performance will be Friday at 4:00 p.m. $125
Reader Theatre
Ages 6-10 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14 to Friday, Aug. 18
Bring your favourite storybook to camp and together we will put a scene from it on the stage. The acting out of dialogue helps participants improve their vocabulary, comprehension and retention in a safe, fun and collaborative setting.
Performance will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. $50
Vaudevillian Variety
Ages 10-17 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21 to Friday, Aug. 25
Campers will spend their days learning the exciting ins and outs of performing and create short vignettes that will appear in our variety show on Friday, Aug. 25. Campers will explore a variety of styles throughout the week.
Performance will be Friday, TBD. $125
Questions? Call our box office at 403-553-4404.
The 2017 Summer Theatre Camp program could not exist without the ongoing support of community minded individuals, businesses and the following organizations and institutions, including the Town of Fort Macleod, Service Canada’s Summer Jobs program and the MD of Willow Creek.
High Level Canoes and Kayaks is hosting their annual paddling film festival at the Empress Theatre on Saturday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 and are available at the High Level store in Lethbridge by calling 403-327-4506.
Get your tickets at KFFC, FCSS and Tru Hardware
Go to PETERKATZ.COM for tickets.
The 17th Diamond Dinner fundraiser is on Saturday, October 22. Tickets are $80 and we're not quite sold out yet. Call or drop into the box office on Main Street.
We couldn't do all that we do without the funds raised at this annual girls' night out, and we're looking forward to another ridiculously fun night. And since what happens at the Diamond Dinner stays at the Diamond Dinner, that's about all we can tell you here.
No...there is no truth to the rumour that we sold it on Kijiji.
There is some important restorative work being done on the exterior of building this summer, is all. We're grateful for the wisdom, determination and patience of the Council, admin and crews of the Town of Fort Macleod and for the forethought of the Empress Theatre Society's board of directors.
Now that the sign is on the way to the spa, work will soon begin on the bricks, mortar and sandstone. In the mean time it's business as usual. We do not anticipate any major disruption of programming and will keep you all posted on the progress.
Summer Employment Opportunity: Theatre Camp Coordinator and Instructors
If you have a flair for the theatre, energy to spare and a love of teaching, we want to talk to you!
The Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod is seeking an organized Summer Camp Coordinator and two enthusiastic Summer Camp Instructors for our 2016 Summer Theatre Camp program.
Applicants must:
- have been registered full-time students in 2015-2016
- be returning to school on a full-time basis in 2016-2017
- be between 16 and 30 years old
- be Canadian citizens, or permanent residents
- be legally entitled to work in Alberta
Applicants will:
- plan, implement and lead summer theatre camps for kids ages 6 to 16
- create and participate in performance opportunities with campers
- supervise camp participants
- manage assigned budgets and materials
- maintain a safe and respectful work environment
- perform other reasonable theatrical duties as assigned
Applicants should:
- be responsible, reliable and capable of both independent and collaborative work
- have previous experience in and/or a passion for the performing arts and education
- have previous experience in and/or an interest in working with young people
- have previous experience in and/or an interest in herding cats
The term of employment runs from June 20, 2016 to August 26, 2016.
Please respond with resume before June 10, 2016 to: info@macleodempress.com
These positions made possible through the federal government's Canada Summer Jobs program.
Suitable applicants will be contacted for an interview.
Summer Theatre Camps 2016 - Registrations Now Open
Introduction to the Theatre
Monday July 4 to Friday July 8
9 am – 1 pm
Ages 6-10
Recommended for youngsters with little to no previous theatrical experience. Children will explore theatre basics and enjoy game playing. This is a half day camp. Performance will be Friday at 1:00 pm$65
Kids’ Rock Camp
Monday July 11 to Friday July 15
10 am – 4 pm
Ages 8 – 16
For the budding musicians out there, participants will form bands which will each then write, rehearse and perform a song. Professional musical-mentors will take the kids through the ins and outs of producing, marketing and distributing their creations. This camp is sponsored by the Fort Macleod Allied Arts and the South Country Fair. No experience necessary, instruments provided, live performances on Friday, TBD. $150
Stories with Character
Monday July 18 to Friday July 22
10 am – 4 pm
Ages 8~14
Students will spend mornings doing creative activities focusing on acting and storytelling. They will work together with instructors to create, rehearse and perform an original short play. Performance will be Friday at 4:00 pm$125
Musical Theatre Triple Threat – Act, Sing, Dance
Monday July 25 to Friday July 29
10 am – 4 pm
Ages 10~17
Triple Threat campers will explore a variety of disciplines and work on scenes that will appear in performance at the end of the week. If you are interested in being in our community musicals this one is not to be missed! Performance will be Friday at 7:00 pm$125
Reader Theatre
Monday August 8 to Friday August 12
9 am – 1 pm
Ages 6~10
Bring your favourite storybook to camp and together we will put a scene from it on the stage. The acting out of dialogue helps participants improve their vocabulary, comprehension and retention in a safe, fun and collaborative setting. Performance will be Friday at 1:00 pm$50
Vaudevillian Variety
Monday August 15 to Friday August 19
10 am – 4 pm
Ages 10~17
Campers will spend their days learning the exciting ins and outs of performing and create short vignettes that will appear in our Variety show Friday evening. They will explore a variety of styles throughout the week. Performance will be Friday at 7:00 pm$125
The 2016 Summer Theatre Camp program could not exist without the ongoing support of
community minded individuals, businesses, organizations & institutions - including the Town of Fort Macleod, the M.D. of Willow Creek, the provincial and federal governments, Chinook Financial and ATCO Gas.
johnnysummers.com
Good seats still available to both shows. Tickets for the Gospel music show on Friday, Dec. 4 are available at the box office or online, and tickets for the Raise the Roof event on Saturday, Dec. 5 are available at the Source, Kids First Family Centre office or the FCSS office in Fort Macleod.
September, 2015. Some of the live shows coming to the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod this fall.
johnworthannam.com
2015-2016 Centre Stage Concert Series
Trio Bembe - Sept. 26
Leeroy Stagger - Oct. 24
Little Miss Higgins - Nov. 21
Johnny Summer’s Little Big Band - Dec. 12
Coig - Jan. 30
The Amos Garrett Jazz Trio - Mar. 12
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Series subscriptions (only) are now on sale - tickets to all individual shows will go on sale Friday, September 11th.
Subcribers pay $25 a ticket. After the 11th, a single seat at just one of the concerts will cost you a still very reasonable $35.
Please call the office for more information.
The Fort Macleod Cultural Heritage Tourism Alliance is asking that we share a link to their visitor survey.
Visitors, guests, tourists and anyone travelling through the region are invited to respond. If you have a couple spare moments, please click on the button below and help them out with your input.
We're very pleased to announce that John Wort Hannam and his band will be performing at the Empress Theatre as part of their "Love Lives On" tour this fall. Tickets are now on sale for a 7:30 pm show on Friday, October 2.
More details as we get them.
Theatre Camps 2015 - Now On Sale!
Musical Theatre Triple Threat – Act, Sing, Dance
Ages 10~17
10 am – 4 pm
Monday, July 20 to Friday, July 24
Triple Threat campers will explore a variety of disciplines and work on scenes that will appear in performance at the end of the week. If you are interested in performing this one is not to be missed! Performance will be Friday at 4:00 pm
$125
Improv
Ages 10~17
10 am – 4 pm
Monday, July 27 to Friday, July 31
Loud! Comedic! Unpredictable! Campers will learn tools of the trade and thinking on their feet. Throughout the week campers will explore improvisation of all different kinds. Performance will be Friday at 4:00 pm
$125
Puppet Adventures
Ages 6~10
9 am – 1 pm
Tuesday, August 4 to Friday, August 7
Campers will find, build, make, invent their own puppet – find its voice and character and show it off! Kids will learn many new things in this half-day camp and have fun too. They will be able to take their puppet home and keep it forever. Performance will be Friday at 1:00 pm
$65
Vaudevillian Variety
Ages 10~17
10 am – 4 pm
Monday, August 17 to Friday, August 21
Campers will spend their days learning the exciting ins and outs of performing and create short vignettes that will appear in our Variety show Friday evening. They will explore a variety of styles throughout the week.
Performance will be Friday at 7:00 pm
$125
Cindy Gray's Dance Studio's Spring Recital 2015 was in the theatre last Friday and Saturday at 7pm. Their 30th year, wow.
The Louisiana Hayride tribute show rolls into Fort Macleod this Sunday for a 7:00 performance. Fashioned after the famous American radio program that aired from 1948 to 1960 and featured such folks as Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Roy Orbison, this night will be a delightful trip down memory lane for many.
CHICKENS!
Community Musical Theatre - Opened May 21st, 2015.
The Empress Theatre is pleased to announce that casting has been completed, rehearsals are under way and tickets are now on sale for the May presentation of ‘Chickens’, this year’s community musical offering from local thespianista Erin Bourke Henderson and her talented production team.
The Canadian Theatre Review had this to say about the popular show from Rosebud Theatre:
"...With rowdy roosters running amuck and aging hens looking for love, will these dreamers finally soar? Or is someone about to get the axe? A musical romantic comedy about getting by, with a little pluck from your friends..."
Written by Lucia Frangione, with music by Royal Sproule, Lewis Frere, Mark Lewandowski & Jason Bertsch, and by arrangement with the Playwrights Guild of Canada, this show is going to fill the big room with stunning moments of self-recognition and laughter more contagious than the avian flu.
Audiences will witness poultry in motion as a plucky bunch of area performers cross the road to bring this story to life. The all volunteer cast includes Dale Risser, Dona Guyette, Candice Larson, Petula Hofer, Dino Vizzutti and Fort Macleod town councillor and businessman Michael Dyck. The ensemble will be supported by musicians Francis Krizan, Arnold McAulay, Kris Goodfellow and school principal Richard Feller under the leadership of Musical Director Michael Ayotte.
Shows will run at the Empress Theatre on May 21, 22, 28, 29 and 30 at 7pm, with matinees on May 23 and 30 at 1pm. Tickets are now available - Adults: $15, Seniors and kids 16 and under: $10.
Theatre Camps 2015 - Now On Sale!
Introduction to the Theatre
Ages 6-10
9 am – 1 pm
Monday, July 6 to Friday, July 10
Recommended for youngsters with little to no previous theatrical experience. Children will explore theatre basics and enjoy game playing. This is a half day camp. Performance will be Friday at 1:00 pm
$65
Stories with Character
Ages 8~14
10 am – 4 pm
Monday, July 13 to Friday, July 17
Students will spend mornings doing creative activities focusing on acting and storytelling. They will work together with instructors to create, rehearse, and perform an original short play. Performance will be Friday at 4:00 pm
$125
Musical Theatre Triple Threat – Act, Sing, Dance
Ages 10~17
10 am – 4 pm
Monday, July 20 to Friday, July 24
Triple Threat campers will explore a variety of disciplines and work on scenes that will appear in performance at the end of the week. If you are interested in performing this one is not to be missed! Performance will be Friday at 4:00 pm
$125
Improv
Ages 10~17
10 am – 4 pm
Monday, July 27 to Friday, July 31
Loud! Comedic! Unpredictable! Campers will learn tools of the trade and thinking on their feet. Throughout the week campers will explore improvisation of all different kinds. Performance will be Friday at 4:00 pm
$125
Puppet Adventures
Ages 6~10
9 am – 1 pm
Tuesday, August 4 to Friday, August 7
Campers will find, build, make, invent their own puppet – find its voice and character and show it off! Kids will learn many new things in this half-day camp and have fun too. They will be able to take their puppet home and keep it forever. Performance will be Friday at 1:00 pm
$65
Vaudevillian Variety
Ages 10~17
10 am – 4 pm
Monday, August 17 to Friday, August 21
Campers will spend their days learning the exciting ins and outs of performing and create short vignettes that will appear in our Variety show Friday evening. They will explore a variety of styles throughout the week.
Performance will be Friday at 7:00 pm
$125
Friday, May 8th - 7:30pm
Singer-songwriter Andrea House, magician Ron Pearson and The Great Balanzo from the Acme Circus.
Tickets $15 - Cash Only: Available through the Fort Macleod Allied Arts or our office - 11-4, M-F.
