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Spearhead Theatre

New Brunswick

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Artistic Director’s Message

When I was a kid, I had a secret dream of being an actor.  I didn’t dream of being the centre of attention or being famous: I wanted to tell stories and inspire audiences.  I kept my dream a secret not because my family wouldn’t support me, but because I didn’t know that it was actually possible to act as a career, especially considering where I grew up.

I grew up outside of a small city with less than 10,000 people and no theatre groups- community or otherwise- for people under the age of 65.  I desperately wanted to perform, but the only opportunity given to me was at our school’s Christmas assemblies or in the safety of my own bedroom.  That is, until a professional theatre company from Ottawa visited our school and helped us put on a production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

From that day on, my secret was out.  I couldn’t contain it anymore!  I did whatever I could to immerse myself in theatre.  I watched old MGM musicals, I auditioned for every show our high school put on, and I eventually auditioned (and got in) to a youth training program at the Stratford Festival.

As I continued to grow as an actor and as a person, I noticed my goals starting to evolve- as they always do.  I still had a passion for acting, but I also had a desire to create something of my own.  I had seen so many of my performer friends in Toronto succumbing to unfair wages, working conditions, or casting biases because they felt they had no choice.  Everyone was angry all the time, whether it was over who had gotten the part, the roles (or lack thereof) available for women, how they’d been treated at auditions, or what they were being paid.  They were willing to settle for less because ‘that’s just how things are’, but I wanted more; I had had enough.

When my husband and I moved to Fredericton, it was like a breath of fresh air.  There were so many different artists supporting and collaborating with each other instead of fighting against each other; they were living and working in a ‘we’ mentality, instead of a ‘me’.  I immediately saw an opportunity to put my own stamp on the Canadian theatre industry, and started working on Spearhead Theatre.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the verb ‘spearhead’  as “lead (an attack or movement)”, which is exactly what I wanted to do.  I wanted to create a company that would pave the way for others and be a trailblazer; I wanted to take all the things that made me fall in love with theatre, and lose everything about the industry that frustrated me.  I wanted to share the stories that had inspired me (and countless others) when I was younger to New Brunswick, and I wanted to offer artists more opportunities to be paid and treated properly for their work.

When I told people that we were leaving Toronto, I was surprised by how many people asked me, “Why? Why are you moving there?”  My answer to them was always, “Why not there?”  Canada is made up of all different types of artists that all have their own unique voice and offerings; the theatre industry does not revolve around one city, and I am determined to prove that with Spearhead Theatre.

I am beyond excited to share this journey with the people of Fredericton, and I hope one day that other young aspiring, ‘secret’ actors will go to a Spearhead show, or take part in a Spearhead workshop, and feel the same spark of inspiration that I felt when I was their age.

– Kelly McAllister

wood

Revitalizing classical theatre and introducing Fredericton as the next big player in the Canadian theatre industry.

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* SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! * . . Spearhead Theatre is * SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! *
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Spearhead Theatre is back with a co-production of Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” with our friends at @redpandaproductions !🔍🐭🧀 The show will run from July 29th-August 1st with more information to come.
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Want to audition for a part in this hilarious #whodunnit? Schedule an audition for tomorrow at the link in our bio!
#nbarts #theatre #auditions #newbrunswickcanada #nbtheatre #frederictonartists
In light of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases, we In light of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases, we have cancelled our upcoming performances of "All Wrapped Up".

Although we are saddened to not be able to perform for our audiences, we know that we will be together again, and the more we take care of each other now, the sooner that day will come.

Stay healthy everyone, and we wish you all a happy and safe holiday season.
🎄Get in the holiday spirit with us with our lat 🎄Get in the holiday spirit with us with our latest show at @foodatthecrownedowntown! “All Wrapped Up” stars William Bonfiglio, Jacob Martin, and Kelly McAllister. Event link in bio! ❄️ #theatre #dinnertheatre #music #christmas #dinnerandashow
Introducing the cast and creative team of McKenna Introducing the cast and creative team of McKenna James Boeckner's 'A Real Boy; Or, The Pinocchio Project'! Join us Saturday, October 31st at 7:30pm and support local, emerging artists! Ticket and link info can be found on the Plain Site Theatre Festival page.
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#SHThappens #theatre #livestream #supportlocal #savethearts
Stay tuned for another #dinnerandashow with the wo Stay tuned for another #dinnerandashow with the wonderful @crowneplazafred 
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More details coming soon!
Join us on October 6th and 17th for a dinner and a Join us on October 6th and 17th for a dinner and a show at the @crowneplazafred Maxwell’s! 
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🎭 “Let’s Fall in Love” follows two friends who met on a dating app before the pandemic hit. Navigating online dating is hard enough, but how do you meet your soulmate during a pandemic? Set to jazz standards we all know and love, will these two ever find someone to join their bubble?
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Link in bio for tickets!
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#livetheatre #finedining #livemusic #theatre #theatrearts #arts #nb #fredericton #jazz #datenight #❤️ #fall
Thank you so much to everyone who came out to our Thank you so much to everyone who came out to our 2020 season launch, and Greg Everett's reading of his new work, "OXBOW". We want to say a giant thank you to Greg for sharing his work with us and to Scott Shannon for assisting him on stage. .
🎤We're excited to announce our second annual Karaoke fundraiser! Guest singers, dates, and information will be coming your way shortly, so make sure to follow our social accounts for more information.
🏆To celebrate the Tony Awards this year we are looking forward to our Tony Awards viewing party! Dress up and hang out with other creatives on the biggest night of the year on Broadway, June 7th. Prizes, games, and more will round out the evening of glitz and glamour.
💃Next up we have 2 fabulous workshops as part of our Sunday Service Series. Joanna Bryson and Sarah Power of Connection Dance Works will be leading our creative movement workshop on June 14th.
🤡Meanwhile, Lisa Anne Ross, from Solo Chicken Productions, will be teaching a clown workshop on September 27th! Venues and registration for our workshops will be announced shortly.
🎫Last, but not least, we are excited to announce the lineup of shows we have ready for you this year.
😡"The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine" by Robert Morgan, Martha Ross, and Leah Cherniak will kick off our shows for the season running from May 13th-16th at the TNB Open Space Theatre.
👢Our second show, “Miss Julie” by August Strindberg and adapted by Tilly Jackson and Kelly McAllister, will be hitting the road as we present this updated classic at this year’s Halifax Fringe Festival.
👦Our final show is a “A Real Boy”, written by McKenna James Boeckner and directed by Kelly McAllister.
"It's an hour on foot down the gulch road to the c "It's an hour on foot down the gulch road to the camp, the one that burned. That's where Murchie killed the moose. And that's where he made it walk again." OXBOW by Greg Everett
Play Reading
Saturday, February 29
Odell Park Lodge
6pm-9pm

More details on our Facebook page.
Meet Kacey the Koala! In light of the devastating Meet Kacey the Koala!

In light of the devastating bushfires that have been waging in Australia since
September of 2019, we've decided to team up with local businesses and give back by creating the 'Kacey the Koala' sticker.

According to WIRES (New South Wales’ Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.), catastrophic fires, the worst drought in history, and
record high temperatures are taking a tragic toll on native wildlife; ecologists
from Sydney University have estimated that over 800 million animals have
been affected in Australia.

The ‘Kacey the Koala’ stickers will be available later this week directly from @spearheadtheatrenb or from our friends at @coffeemillfredericton, @ringos.grill, and @branch_out_productions for a minimum donation of $2, with all of the proceeds going towards WIRES. They will be available until Australia Day on January 26.

If you are interested in carrying our 'Kacey the Koala' stickers at your business, please send us a message or email at info@spearheadtheatre.com.
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