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30 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 4, 2009 www.oakvillebeaver.com Artscene · WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2009 By Tina Depko "We're going after the gems," he said. "There will be Canadian content, for sure, OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF but we aren't limited to it. There are a lot of Oakville's theatre scene has expanded great plays out there that people aren't seethanks to the addition of the Poor Cousin ing." Theatre Company. The Aprés Dinner Theatre Series was The new group was founded by Leslie launched in January with Renée Taylor and Carelse, who has worked in the theatre busi- Joseph Bologna's Bedrooms. The production ness as an actor, director and artistic direc- did well, nearly selling out its first two pertor for close to 30 years. formances, with a full house for its third and However, many people in Oakville proba- final show. bly know him best as the longtime instruc"Based on that performance, we have a tor with the Art of Acting program offered lot of people who want to be involved and through the Town of Oakville. Carelse has said they will be back for the next producheld that post for the tion," Carelse said. "There will be Canadian content, past 24 years. A second comedy for He was inspired for sure, but we aren't limited to it. the Aprés Dinner by his former stu- There are a lot of great plays out Theatre Series will run dents to start the there that people aren't seeing." April 23-25. The play new company, which has yet to be Leslie Carelse features local actors announced. Poor Cousin Theatre Company founder who are predomiCarelse said he is nantly alumni of the especially excited about Art of Acting program. the Playwright Series, with one writer feaWhile there are already several commu- tured per season. The series won't be offered nity theatre groups in Oakville, Carelse said until the 2010-11 season, but the first playPoor Cousin Theatre is different in that it is wright has already been selected. Carelse a professional company. said it will be Torontonian George Walker. "You're looking at a theatre company "We'll be doing something from their that is looking to be established and isn't early works, middle works and most recent," community theatre," said Carelse, who is he said of the series. also the company's artistic director. "In "I think that will allow people to see a lot other words, it will be more professional." of playwrights that they haven't and introCarelse is growing the company slowly, duce them to something that is different." with the vision of offering three series, Carelse's vision for the company is to including the Aprés Dinner Theatre Series present edgy, exciting works. (comedy), Food for Thought Series (drama), "I'm not going into great theatre, and Playwright Series. although that is what sells seats," he said. Sign up now for guitar, bass, drums, and piano OAKVILLE'S MUSIC STORE 324 Kerr St. 905-339-3515 w w w. g e a r m u s i c . n e t Poor Cousin Theatre latest addition to local arts scene financial impact on the company," he said. "Being in the studio theatre also allows us to play a little bit with what we do and how we do it. I prefer the whole cabaret approach, with round tables and chairs. It gives people a chance to know other people there. It is more casual." Rehearsals are held at former Queen Elizabeth Park School, which is also the new location for the Art of Acting classes. The company's first production had three performances and Carelse said this number will be maintained until the audience base is expanded. Eventually, Poor Cousin Theatre Company will present six shows a season, with two comedies, one drama and three works through the Playwright Series. Carelse said he is also planning on taking shows on tour across the Greater Toronto Area as early as September. And as for the unusual name of the company, it seemed like a natural choice, Carelse said. "My favourite theory is Grotowski towards the poor theatre, and we really are very poor and we have high aspirations," he said. "We are struggling and trying to get ahead, like the black sheep of the family, and the word that stuck out was edgy theatre. So if you want to put a label on us, it had to be edgy. Poor Cousin just happened, because we are probably the underdogs and grappling to make this work without handouts. We're the poor cousin." For information on Poor Cousin Theatre Company, go online to www.poorcousin.ca. Leslie Carelse "Professional and community theatre has gone that way to keep the coffers filled. I don't want to do that. " He said he hopes to draw younger crowds with fresh shows. "Knowing the demographics in Oakville and how they are changing, I want to do theatre that has not been produced in Oakville or the surrounding areas," he said. The home for the company's productions will be the studio theatre at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. "Being in the studio theatre and only needing 100 seats to be filled lessens the