about tree house youth theatre
Tree House Youth Theatre was created in 1988 and was the brainchild of Richard O'Brien who was head of the Theatre Arts Program at Red Deer College (RDC) in Red Deer, Alberta. The aim of the program was to build theatrical interest and foster skills in the young people of Central Alberta. Tree House Productions ran during the College off-season using RDC theatre staff and students to support most elements of the production.
When Richard O'Brien left both Red Deer College and Tree House, the organization moved into a new partnership; this time with Central Alberta Theatre (CAT). CAT continued to provide Guest Artists for several years, providing support and encouragement to the young performers.
With the hiring of Matt Gould in 2005, as our first Artistic Director since Richard O'Brien, Tree House is entering a new era of exploration and creation, continuing to build a love of the theatre arts in the youth of Central Alberta.
Productions over the years have included award - winning performances in the Kiwanis Performing Arts Festival, one act plays as well as:
"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"
"Alice in Wonderland"
"Santa and the Wicked Wazoo"
"The Magic Toy Shop"
"Ernie's Incredible Illucinations"
"Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"
Disney's "Beauty and the Beast"
"Fiddler on the Roof, Jr."
"Ho, Ho, Oh!" written for Tree House by Matt Gould.
"Disney' Mulan Jr."
"Last Known Position" written for Tree House Matt Gould with creative input from the cast.
Tree House has also tackled Moliere's "The Flying Doctor" and "Jack Juggler" - the first English language Elizabethan Interlude written to be performed by young actors and for young audiences. The summer of 2010 saw the successful production of Disney's Mulan Jr. and the presentation of Mulan's World, a series of traditional Chinese folk tales as designed and produced by the young performers themselves.
Tree House Youth Theatre is a not-for-profit charitable organization.
