Theatre Outré ready to celebrate decade of entertainment

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on April 5, 2023.

Herald photo by Ry Clarke Lyndsay Labrecque, stage name DJ Rabbyt, gives a sneak peak of their upcoming show "How to Make Electronic Music" set for Thursday, part of Theatre Outre's 10 year celebration at Club Didi.

Local theatre company Theatre Outré is celebrating a decade of performing in Lethbridge with its 10-year anniversary this month.

The Quaint, Quirky and Queer (QQQ) Festival will be celebrating the company’s time here, welcoming old friends and new. Starting Thursday until April 22, Outré will be hosting events across the downtown, including its yearly variety show the QQQ Cabaret at the Owl Acoustic Longue.

“It’s a feat in and of itself to have lasted 10 years,” said co-founder Jay Whitehead.

“We like to push the envelope a little bit, and we have been through a lot as a company in our short 10 years. But to have done that in a place like Lethbridge is especially special because one wouldn’t think of Lethbridge as a mecca for queer arts. It is exciting that in a place like this we are able to do what we do and we have garnered a following here in Lethbridge.”

Providing a space for artists to be heard, Outré works with its community to help give them a space while also offering opportunities.

“Our mandate says that we produce theatre that is alternative to what is currently being produced in our city,” said Whitehead. “At Outré we are trying to push boundaries and create a platform for those in our community who might otherwise feel invisible. We choose plays that we thought would challenge, provoke, and activate our audiences, and we have moved forward bravely in that way.”

The QQQ Festival will kick off Thursday at Didi’s Playhaus on 4 Ave. S. with How to Make Electronic Music. The theatrical music experience is being brought back after its success in February, showcasing DJ Rabbyt’s musical talents, entertaining audiences as they dance along in their seat.

“I think this piece really shows off their talents and makes it a great way to kick off the festival,” said Whitehead.

“We are also very excited to welcome back Princess and Abel. Fans of Theatre Outré will remember Richie Wilcox and Aaron Collier, who are co-founders of the company. They are returning to do a one-night only special cabaret, a 10-year retrospective as Princess and Abel.” It will be held on April 13 at 8 p.m. at Didi’s Playhaus.

From small beginnings performing above the Owl Acoustic Lounge when it was located west of 3 Ave S, the company has grown to be a staple in the artistic scene.

“We thought, at the time this was the kind of audience we could expect for doing queer theatre in Lethbridge. That it would mostly just be members of the queer community who came out to support us, or people who were more liberal-minded. But it has been interesting, we grew out of that first space quite quickly, expanding our space and doubling our capacity,” said Whitehead.

With 10 years comes a lot of growth, but also a lot of shows. Outré has helped many performers get their start onstage.

“The artists we have worked with over the years have gone on to different cities throughout Canada and have found their own niche and we watch them grow and flourish,” said Deonie Hudson, interim artistic director with Outré.

“They all love to come back and do stuff where they first started, it’s really neat.”

Whitehead notes the company has matured in its time, aware of its influences on its audiences.

“When we first started out, we fancied ourselves as boundary pushers and rule breakers, rebels in the theatre,” said Whitehead. “But over the years we have gained a better understanding of our responsibility as artists and members of the community who potentially might be speaking for that community. I would say our work has become more aware of that responsibility, and we have the responsibility to provide a space that is safe for everyone.”

A full lineup of its events can be found online at theatreoutre.ca under the 22/23 Season tab.

“It’s been a difficult few years for those of us in the performing arts, and it would just mean so much to see the celebration supported in numbers by our audiences,” said Whitehead.