WESTLOCK — The Westlock Cultural Arts Theatre Society (CATS) has wrapped up another successful season after presenting their first post-pandemic performance series.
The 2022-2023 season, which started in October and featured six different artists over the winter months, started slow but picked up momentum and connected with past subscribers, said CATS committee member Lorraine Robinson.
“It started really well with some country artists that were well received by our subscription holders and carried on from there right through to March,” she said. “All in all, I think we were quite happy with the attendance to the series, understanding that provincially and maybe nationally that it’s just what’s happening post pandemic. We’ve been cautioned to really consider two to three years for a rebuild.”
Each year, Robinson said the series provides residents with “an intimate theatre production and shows that you may or may not see anywhere else” and they had about 120 season subscribers, in addition to single-seat sales this year. Although new subscription numbers were down, which typically run over 200 sold, the society receives much support from the community and outlying region.
“It’s wonderful how we’ve been supported through the years,” said Robinson.
During the rebuild over the next couple of years Robinson said they will look for new subscribers and will do their best to “reach out into the community to make sure people who don’t know about us find out about us.”
During the season, CATS also welcomes a different Westlock youth group for each show, who volunteer with the coat check and intermission refreshments — each group takes home 100 per cent of donations collected during the evening, said Robinson, adding this year they welcomed the Thunder Alliance, Youth Unlimited, the Westlock Army Cadets and St. Mary’s music program.
“It’s great for our patrons and we are happy to be able to support the youth groups. The kids that are working those evenings think it’s such a unique opportunity for them as well.”
First incorporated in 1983, the society will reach its 40th year during 2023-2024, however, the concert series didn’t start until a year later so it will celebrate its 40th in 2024-2025. In addition to six new artists already booked, there are also some changes in ticket formats being offered to patrons. While tickets are currently available via subscription for the entire, six-show series, they are introducing a new “pick four” for next season. Tickets sales are open for new subscribers until the first show in early November, with single tickets available starting July 1.
“As a committee we were really trying to figure out how we can be more flexible for those who are snowbirds or people who are now able to travel again,” she said. “That’s one of the reasons we thought we would offer that (pick-four) option.”
Most of the performers for the following season are chosen in the fall after CATS committee members attend an annual showcase in Fort Saskatchewan, hosted by the Arts Touring Alliance of Alberta (ATAA).
“As a committee we have seen each one of these artists perform already and it gives us a really good idea of what we feel our audience would like,” explained Robinson, noting a total of six artists across different music genres are chosen from about 30 performances.
Tickets for the 2023-2024 CATS performance series are available at www.simplytickets.ca or by visiting www.westlockculturalartstheatre.com.
