First Time for Everything Festival gears up for this year's installment

BY SCOTT STEPHENSON

It may be the traditional off-season for The Livery Theatre in Goderich, but the beloved historic space is currently an absolute flurry of activity, which must mean that it’s time for the First Time for Everything (FTFE) Festival. This is the second summer that this community-driven theatrical experiment has been conducted in the popular tourist town, and festival organizers are hoping that this year’s event will be as successful as it was the first time around.

 

This year, the festival’s theme is absurdism. It will be putting on two one-act plays, which will be running together each night from July 24 to 27, and once again, the entire Livery parking lot will also be converted into an outdoor market that will feature food trucks, local artisans, craft vendors and buskers. Tickets are paid by donation, and the market is free to attend and open to the public.

 

The idea to get avant garde in Goderich came about a few years ago through an alchemical blend of practicality and whimsy. On the practical side of things, a group of friends with a common passion for theatre noticed there were no shows going on in Goderich during the summer - the town’s busiest season. Traditionally, The Livery Theatre does four shows a year, in the fall, winter and spring. One of the festival’s founders, Jesse Gill, felt that the demand was there. “I know, for myself, when I’m touring around towns or whatever, sometimes it’s nice to be able to go to a show.”

 

On the whimsical side of things, several of those same friends, including Gill, had never directed a play, but had always wanted to give it a try. A brainstorming session led to the creation of the FTFE Festival. The idea was to create an accessible, exciting experience that would give newcomers a chance to take their first steps into the wonderful world of theatre. Since they were all first-time directors, the festival decided to focus on producing one-act plays. The organizers went through a pile of options, each chose one they liked, and began to build the festival around them. They aimed to project an aura of approachability that would attract all kinds of people who wanted to be involved with theatre, but didn’t know how or were afraid to try. And it worked.

 

They added the artisan market into the mix, which created even more community engagement. “We want to make it like a street festival - a big hub hub! And something free for people to do!” Gill explained. That first First Time was a roaring success, so they decided to carry on doing it.

 

Gill is directing a play again this year, but there are still many newcomers involved in the production. “It’s not necessarily the first time for some of us, but it’s the first time for costumes, backstage, lighting, actors. It’s our second time for the First Time.”
The festival believes that affordability is one of the keys to making theatre accessible to everybody. Co-founder Lisa Hood pointed out that the cost of traditional tickets can be prohibitive for some would-be attendees. “We also see this as a first time for audience members,” she said. “We wanted to give an opportunity for families to come and see a show together.” She also hopes that the shows inspire some of those audience members to take the leap and join their merry band next year. “Anybody can do this - if you’re looking for a way to get involved and volunteer in the future, come and experience the festival, and maybe next year you’ll come be a part of the festival.”

 

She also views the market as yet another opportunity for first-timers to express themselves. You don’t need to be new to be a vendor, but for those who are still emerging as artists and craftspeople, it’s a great chance to put themselves out there for the first time. “It’s the first market for some of our marketeers, as well... it’s sort of become a testing ground for anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of something here at The Livery.”

 

There are still a few days before opening night, but Gill and the other founders think that the audience is going to be impressed with this year’s production. “You would think everybody was a paid member of the theatre - the talent is so strong here! And everybody is so committed. Some of them will blow your mind, the amount of talent.”

 

The entire event is run by a scrappy crew of volunteers, many of whom are first-timers too. They aren’t just passionate helpers - they’re also gaining valuable educational experience. Each year, they run free workshops that focus on all the different elements of theatre production. Gill explained that fostering essential skills in their volunteer force doesn’t just strengthen the festival’s productions, it also benefits The Livery to have direct access to newly-developed talent. “It takes a village to put on a production. It’s not just the people on stage, it’s the people that made the stage. And the sets, the furniture, the props. You have to set up the lighting, you have to get the sound cues - it’s not just ‘here’s a script’ and go. There’s a lot involved leading up to a show.”
Hood is constantly impressed by the wide range of hidden talent drawn out by the FTFE Festival. “We see so many people from this area on stage, behind the stage, around the stage, that have so much to offer and so much to give - we want to shine a light on that, and show our community what we got. This is celebrating what we are, at our roots - I couldn’t be happier.”

 

The First Time For Everything Festival is happening at The Livery Theatre in Goderich from July 24 to 27, with a gala celebration on the closing night.

 

Visit thelivery.ca/ftfe for more information.