The Cremation of Sam McGee by Theatre Encounter
Theatre Encounter is Calgary’s only theatre company dedicated to producing alternative, experimental versions of classic texts. Drawing from a background in physical theatre, authentic movement Grotowskian theory, theatre of cruelty and theatre of the absurd, Theatre Encounter deconstructs and reconstructs well-known Western classics and confronts the audience with new interpretive questions about them.
The Baader Meinhof Collective (or “BMC”) is Theatre Encounter’s research branch, made up of its interns and company artists, and is dedicated to producing completely new works. The BMC serves as a testing ground for new theatrical ideas, and also allows members of the company to learn and build skills in all aspects of production in a professional environment. Each year, the BMC turns its attention to themes and texts that represent a uniquely Canadian perspective, and produces a show from its studio space in Calgary. Keeping with Theatre Encounter’s overarching mandate, BMC shows are exploratory, challenging and highly physical pieces.
Val Duncan is a graduate of the University of Calgary where she studied English Literature with and emphasis on early Renaissance drama. This is her fourth season with Theatre Encounter. Past projects with the company include Medea, Quest, Everyman, The Glass Menagerie and Caligula. Other past projects include Romeo and Juliet, Henry VI, Much Ado About Nothing (THE Shakespeare Co.), Baal and the Marriage of Figaro (University of Calgary).
Elan Pratt - Elan has been involved in theatre for over 20 years. Currently she is a company member with Theatre Encounter and has performed in their productions of The Glass Menagerie, Caligula, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Death and Devil. She is also an ensemble member with Maple Salsa Theatre performing in The Dali Hours, Macula, Neruda Nude and The Lorca Trilogy. She is a graduate of the University of Calgary’s Drama Program, attended the Canadian National Voice Intensive and trained with Massachusetts’ Double Edge Theatre. Elan also turns her talents to directing, producing and modeling for life drawing classes.