We're launching a new presenting series of ambitious, community-driven theatre this fall and we need your help to do it.
Common Ground Arts is Edmonton's tiny but mighty grassroots org getting it done on passion and grit. We're taking a big step in 2025: We're launching the CG Prairie Mainstage Series, providing a platform for shows from here in Edmonton and across the prairie provinces. We want to connect prairie artists and stories to new communities and audiences in substantial, meaningful ways.
Common Ground works with 100-200 artists per year in developing, producing, and presenting new works that challenge what's possible in arts spaces. We champion innovation, accessibility, and mentorship in everything we do.
Starting this fall, we're going to be working with partners across the prairies to present 2-3 new shows every year.
Click here to learn more about the Series and our shows.
Click here to learn more about Common Ground's history and mission.
Why is this our next move?
- There aren't enough professional presentation opportunities on the prairies: We want to dismantle the substantial barriers artists face to find second or third presentations of new works.
- Professional theatre opportunities need to become more accessible: We want to test new models of sustainable, equitable presentation that put artist care first.
- Our region's arts communities are stronger together: We want to build relationships with presenters across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to establish a strong touring network for prairie indie theatre.
Like anything we do, we're not starting off easy. Our first Prairie Mainstage Series features two complex, ambitious projects that we've helped develop over the past few years.
Banana Musik by Kris Alvarez (Regina, SK)
September 16-27 in the Backstage Theatre
In this memory play about aging, reciprocity and care, 50-year-old "immigrant kid" Kris gives you a tour of her childhood home - the sights, sounds, smells - to meet her parents, while she takes inventory of ALL their stuff, trying to get to know them better in real time. This new play with original music is performed by Kris Alvarez and her parents, Jim and Susan Alvarez.
This residency from an exceptional team of Regina artists will include community artist workshops and a performance of Burnt Sienna, Kris' variety talk show centring safe, humorous, and respectful conversations around the complexities of race, cultural traditions, and privilege.
Ecos by Elisa Marina Maír-Sanchez (Edmonton, AB)
October 30-November 8 in the Mile Zero Dance Warehouse
Amaya is an immigrant, a daughter of immigrants, and a granddaughter of immigrants. She hasn't been there for most of her family's biggest moments. But now, after missing out on a funeral and receiving life-changing news, she has to decide if that is the future she wants for herself and her new family. How did those who came before decide to leave everything that they knew behind? Did they ever regret their decision? And how can she find out when most of them are now gone? But the veil is thin, and sometimes, all you need to have your questions answered is ask.
Ecos was developed under the title El Funeral in our 2021 and 2023 Found Festivals to sold out crowds. This dance-theatre production will feature immersive staging and design that changes its world around the audience.
Where do you come in?
We're asking for $10,000.00 in support from our community to access a further $5,000.00 in matching funds from Crowdfunding Alberta. If we can raise $5,000.00 in donations, we can fund access and outreach costs for our first full season. If we reach our full $10,000.00 stretch goal, our first two seasons will have inclusive, accessible work built in from day one.
Through this campaign, your dollar can stretch twice as far.
If we reach our donation goal, we will be able to sustain three commitments that are pivotal to our values as an arts presenter:
- Cost should not be a barrier. If we are successful in our goal, 100% of all tickets for our Prairie Mainstage Series will be available with Pay What You Can pricing, meaning low- and no-cost tickets are widely available.
- Theatre should be for everyone. Both of our fall 2025 shows centre immigrant women's stories. If we are successful in our goal, we will be able to provide tickets and logistical support for over 100 immigrant, newcomer, and refugee Edmontonians to attend season performances.
- Arts workers should receive a living wage. If we are successful in our goal, we will be able to guarantee living wage for four new positions supporting our fall 2025 Series events.
If just 500 people contribute $20, we will be able to provide exceptional and equitable experiences for over 60 artists and arts workers and over 1,200 audience members this fall. We will build on what we accomplish this year to offer more opportunities and events in 2026 that connect audiences and artists across the prairies.
For our donors...
First off, your dollar - whether it's $5 or $500 - will go directly towards launching a new platform for independent arts on the prairies. This will support artists, access workers, translation of materials, and so much more. As a thank you, all donations will be printed in our playbills for each show and all donations at least $25 will receive a charitable tax receipt.
Charitable Registration # 703399519 RR 0001
Thank you for consideration, and thank you for your support.
