A MESSAGE FROM RED DEER PLAYERS:

Red Deer Players‘ March show, Calendar Girls, is being dedicated to a lady by the name of Carole Forhan. The show opens March 3 and closes March 18. However, the Opening Night Performance is the subject of this invitation.

From the moment of her arrival in Canada in 1956, Carole had been immersed in theatre. As she migrated across Canada, she dedicated her life to being a Mom, and tireless advocate for all things theatre. As she headed west, spending time in Drumheller and finally ending up in Red Deer, she provided thousands of hours of devotion and dedication to theatre. All who crossed her path were left in awe of her energy, dedication, passion and empathy for the world of theatre.

Many theatre people will know that, at the heart of Calendar Girls, the core subject is cancer. When Red Deer Players first chose the show, back in June of 2016, we always knew we were going to work with the Canadian Cancer Society, to raise money for cancer during our run. However, this became even more of a focus when we learned of Carole’s stage 4 cancer diagnosis, in August. Until then, Carole was bound and determined to be in the cast. Very shortly after this, we decided to dedicate the show to Carole, to create a scholarship in her name.

So, our Opening Night performance will be a fundraising evening, with the objectives of raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Carole Forhan Theatrical Arts Scholarship:

• Our ticket prices for the run are $25. However, for the opening night and fundraising event, we are charging $60, which includes a $25 donation to the scholarship fund (tax receipt to be issued).
• The Cancer Society will be hosting 50/50 tickets every night, and the proceeds will go to the Cancer Society.
• The fund raising event will be held in the basement of the Scott Block, in downtown Red Deer.   The event will include a cash bar, complimentary snacks, music by Hayley Ginter and Morgan McKee and silent auction, prior to curtain. An extended intermission will be held to serve complimentary deserts and continuation of the silent auction.

RDP would like to extend an invitation to the entire Alberta theatre community to be one of the opening night performance and fund raising event attendees. Such was Carole’s history and involvement in theatre across Canada, but certainly, Alberta, we would love for as many theatre people, to attend the fundraising event and performance. And, of course we have regular (non event) performances up until March 18.

Please contact Red Deer Players via email at reddeerplayers@gmail.com for further information, or check out our Facebook page.