As with our previous Québec-based BlackFace in 2015 Edition, The Calgary Innovation issue grew out of a desire to continue to work how with a specific community to address an issue. Although we often attempt to curate responses to a topic from across the country, we found value and specificity to geolocating a conversation. After all, all theatre is local.
So instead of an issue on ‘theatrical innovation’, a broad perhaps overused term, we have one on what innovation means to theatre in a specific place. In this case Calgary, and a theatre community in flux as it innovates to accommodate changes in wealth, population and technology.
Each of these articles examines a different facet that falls under the broad umbrella of the innovation mantra. Downstage AD Simon Mallett focuses in on how to innovate to reach new and diverse audiences, the Ghost River design team working at Alberta Theatre Projects on how to innovate approaches to integrating technology, while UK-based ex-Calgarian Joseph Mercier reflects on the strengths and challenges facing an innovating Calgary Theatre.
Michael Wheeler, Editor-in-Chief: #CdnCult Times
