Horizon Players President’s Message

If you haven’t seen it, the following was written in the program for last week’s performance of Stepping Out:

This production marks the end of the Horizon Players’ 2011-2012 Artistic Season and the year has been a challenging one for the society. Why? In August of 2011, the Players’ long time Artistic Director, Richard Winnick, unexpectedly passed away. Richard’s involvement with the Players’ goes back to the fall of 1991 when he directed a production of Hansel and Gretel, coincidentally my first production on stage with the Players. That show marked a 20 year relationship between Richard and the Players that saw him direct many shows here at the Horizon Stage, including Jesus Christ, Superstar, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Man of La Mancha, a Thousand Clowns amongst many more. He also played an important role for the company where as Artistic Director he planned and suggested the season’s playbill for the past decade. Needless to say, his are large shoes to fill.

I am pleased to report that numerous members within the club have stepped up to help conduct the business of the society. I wish to thank the current Board of Directors and all of the volunteers who helped with both this show and with our Fall production of Ordinary People. I am confident that with the continued efforts of all involved, the Players will continue to grow and develop as a thriving member of the Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County artistic community.

Opportunities abound for interested people within the Players’ family. If you have a desire to get involved, be it on stage, or as a builder, painter, or PR person, get in touch with us. We welcome newcomers to the fold – our current production is an excellent example of that as we have 7 people on stage who have not appeared on stage with us before.

Finally, I would like to say thank you to our sponsors, Elizabethan Catering and Creative Color for their ongoing support of our endeavours. I would also like to thank Parkland Presbyterian Church, and TST Canada for providing space for us to rehearse in. Finally, to you, our audience, thank you for showing your support of our efforts by being here this evening. I hope you enjoy the show!

Norm Usiskin
President – Horizon Players
Spruce Grove, Alberta
www.horizonplayers.com
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Stepping Out

The Horizon Players are proud to present their spring 2012 show from April 26-28 at the Horizon Stage.

This good-natured comedy from Richard Harris chronicles several months in the life of a beginning dance class. Each of the eight students, who come from a variety of backgrounds, has his or her own reason for joining. For instance, Maxine, a confident, fast-talking saleswoman (and former Ovaltine dancer), is there on doctor’s orders, while self-sacrificing Andy participates because it is the only thing she does for herself. Whatever the cause, they make a point of coming every week to chat, relax and, if they can manage to, learn a couple of dance steps.

Led by Mavis, their eternally patient instructor, and accompanied by the acerbic pianist Mrs. Fraser, the students (who range from hopeless to competent) strive to master the basics of dance. But the steps and routines are just the background for the real focus of the play — the relationships and interactions of these ten very different people. By their final performance, not only have the class members developed some degree of skill, but they have also overcome the inhibitions, awkwardness and personality conflicts that have kept them out of sync.

April 26, 27, 28.

The new online home of the Horizon Players

Welcome to the new homepage of the Horizon Players. This new site will make it much easier to keep updated in the future. And if you haven’t already, be sure to like us on Facebook.