Inspiring Youth Through the Exploration of Science and the Environment via the Arts

The Cause

Evergreen Theatre's mission is "to create, facilitate and empower youth by fostering meaningful curriculum-based theatrical programming that explores and inspires; innovation, stewardship and sustainability through the intersection of education, art, science and community." We have been on the forefront of "green" programming for 32 years!

Evergreen is best known for our musical theatre presentations at elementary schools. We perform a 50-minute signature show with 2 professional actors engaging children from Grades K-6, with opportunities for students to perform in the show. Shows feature curriculum-based scripts, exciting sets, props, and costumes - and popular music based on hits that kids and teachers love with our signature environmental and science education themes.

Over the past few years, Evergreen launched our “Eco-Tales” series whereby we re-envision well-known traditional fairy-tales into whimsical, entertaining and informative performances aimed at increasing awareness and action around environmental issues while promoting simple actions students can take to care for our earth. Our first show was "The Three Little Pigs and B.B. Wolfe" in which the pigs worked together to create a net-zero home and covered topics such as climate change, energy efficiency and media literacy. Following that we toured "The Wicked Witch of the Wetlands" - a fun and fanciful Oz-inspired tale which examined the importance of wetlands and the many inter-related facets of the water nexus in Alberta.

Our latest "Eco-Tales" offering that we are seeking support for, is the development and execution of our new show entitled, "Snow White and the Seven Regions". Supporting and extending Alberta curriculum, it introduces students from Kindergarten to grade 6 to climate change challenges and solutions while exploring Canada's 7 physiographic regions in a fun, unique and inspiring manner. Show synopsis and science backgrounder available here: https://www.evergreentheatre.com/touring-show

We are asking the Field Law Community Fund to contribute $6000 to help offset touring costs so that we may continue to offer an affordable, subsidized rate to bring shows to schools in order to promote equitable access across the province.

While the majority of our shows are in Calgary, we tour throughout Alberta including Red Deer, Edmonton and area, Fort McMurray, Medicine Hat, Drumheller, Lethbridge and various small towns communities in all quadrants of Alberta.

Who Will it Benefit?

Evergreen Theatre typically performs in approximately 100+ elementary schools throughout the province each year. We offer obtainable rates so that schools have equitable access to our performances regardless of parental wealth, status, or proximity to Calgary or other major urban centres.

We do not charge additional fees to visit rural, remote or communities a significant distance from our home base of Calgary in order that geography not be a barrier to access to our shows.

In addition, we offer free performances for marginalized communities such as those with newcomer Canadian families and those experiencing various socio-economic barriers. Evergreen works with social service agencies to identify and present to groups who would not otherwise have an opportunity to partake in environmental education initiatives or have access to live theatre performances.

We typically reach up to 40 000 children, in addition to their teachers and often parents and extended community members, with our shows each year. Our latest "Snow White" musical will promote environmental literacy amongst young Albertans through the compelling and non-threatening lens of musical theatre, inspiring life-long-learning and sustainably-minded citizenship.