SUM Theatre has been around since 2011 bringing entertainment to parks and neighbourhoods, rather than people having to go to the theatre, and this summer there will be a changing of the guard with one of its founding members moving on.

Joel Bernbaum will mentor Mackenzie Dawson for the next six months before he is on his own, which Dawson hopes will mean a seamless shift from one to the other.

Dawson has been working with SUM Theatre for a few years now. He explains that the goal of the theatre company is to be accessible for everyone, and that became even more important during the pandemic.  Dawson says they found ways to adapt and didn’t have to cancel any performances.

SUM Theatre specializes in outdoor performances and Dawson feels that having these outdoor events during the pandemic helped to bring communities together. Theatre in the Park is their flagship program, but there is also an indoor option called First Monday, which runs the first Monday of every month.

Actors read a brand new play by a Saskatchewan playwright, giving those who attend a behind the scenes look at how a play is developed. The next First Monday event is this coming Monday at 7 o’clock in the Persephone Theatre lobby. SUM Theatre events are always free.