{"id":3055,"date":"2024-12-05T07:47:19","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T13:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/?p=3055"},"modified":"2024-12-05T07:47:21","modified_gmt":"2024-12-05T13:47:21","slug":"quest-theatre-calgarys-touring-theatre-for-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/eternal-3055-quest-theatre-calgarys-touring-theatre-for-children","title":{"rendered":"Quest Theatre \u2013 Calgary\u2019s Touring Theatre for Children"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Quest Theatre brings imaginative and intellectual theatrical adventures to life, encouraging young audiences to explore themselves, learn about important issues, and build the world they wish to live in. The theatre offers touring performances as well as opportunities for children to create their own theatre through drama camps and specialized school programs. Learn more on <a href=\"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/\">calgary-trend<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a49c7a3153db\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a49c7a3153db\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/eternal-3055-quest-theatre-calgarys-touring-theatre-for-children\/#Founded_by_Two_Friends\" >Founded by Two Friends<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/eternal-3055-quest-theatre-calgarys-touring-theatre-for-children\/#Evolving_Logos\" >Evolving Logos<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/eternal-3055-quest-theatre-calgarys-touring-theatre-for-children\/#What_Happened_to_the_Founders\" >What Happened to the Founders?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/eternal-3055-quest-theatre-calgarys-touring-theatre-for-children\/#New_Leadership_and_Relocation\" >New Leadership and Relocation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/eternal-3055-quest-theatre-calgarys-touring-theatre-for-children\/#Drama_Camps_and_School_Programs\" >Drama Camps and School Programs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/eternal-3055-quest-theatre-calgarys-touring-theatre-for-children\/#Professional_Affiliations_and_Milestones\" >Professional Affiliations and Milestones<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Founded_by_Two_Friends\"><\/span>Founded by Two Friends<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Quest Theatre was founded in the summer of 1984 by Duval Lang and Rick McNair. The two worked with the touring school troupe Stage Coach Players and were tasked with staging a children\u2019s play at Calaway Park. This project inspired the creation of Quest Theatre. Rick wrote a play titled Doll Wars, and Duval directed it, with Rick\u2019s 17-year-old daughter Susan managing the stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Immediately after its founding, the theatre began touring schools across Alberta. Rick continued writing plays, while Duval directed them. Early works included Sinbad, The Fantabulous Zoo, Goalie Pads Magic Music and Mom, and Merlin and Arthur. Quest Theatre quickly gained a reputation for its original works, introducing young audiences to Canadian authors whose works were adapted into plays. In its first five years, students in Canadian schools even contributed to the theatre\u2019s scripts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Evolving_Logos\"><\/span>Evolving Logos<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The theatre\u2019s first logo depicted a ship symbolizing the exploration of new worlds, as youth theatre in Alberta was a novel concept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"227\" height=\"165\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/1-8.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3056\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When the theatre established a strong reputation in schools, the logo was changed to building blocks with stars, marking a shift toward educational programming and tackling topics relevant to young audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"264\" height=\"163\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/2-9.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3059\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As Quest Theatre toured Alberta, it offered seamless access to rural youth by bringing performances directly to schools. To reflect its mobility, the logo was updated to a camper van with stars, highlighting its traveling nature and easy access to schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"227\" height=\"214\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/3-5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3062\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Happened_to_the_Founders\"><\/span>What Happened to the Founders?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1986, Rick McNair moved to Winnipeg, where he became the director of the Manitoba Theatre Centre until 1989. He continued to promote plays based on Canadian literature, founded the Winnipeg Fringe Festival in 1988, and remained active as a playwright, director, and actor. Rick also toured Manitoba schools as a storyteller and published a children\u2019s book titled The Last Unicorn of the Prairies. He passed away in Winnipeg in 2007 while serving as the president of the Manitoba Association of Playwrights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Duval Lang served as Quest Theatre\u2019s artistic director for 25 years before stepping down in 2009. He was widely recognized for his contributions to Alberta\u2019s theatre scene and received the Harry and Martha Cohen Award for his impact on Calgary theatre. Duval inspired many young artists, and in his honor, Quest Theatre established an annual award for talented youth, made possible through a partnership with Betty Mitchell Awards and supported by a donor group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"172\" height=\"214\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/4-20.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3065\" style=\"width:477px;height:auto\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"New_Leadership_and_Relocation\"><\/span>New Leadership and Relocation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After Duval, Nikki Loach took over as artistic director, expanding the theatre\u2019s reach nationally and internationally. To reflect its tours beyond Alberta, Quest Theatre updated its logo again. Successful tours included productions such as Snow Angel, The Umbrella, and We Are All Treaty People.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The theatre relocated to the creative hub cSPACE King Edward, placing it in the heart of Calgary\u2019s artistic community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"697\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/5-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3068\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/5-8.jpg 697w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/5-8-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Drama_Camps_and_School_Programs\"><\/span>Drama Camps and School Programs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Quest Theatre offers spring and summer drama camps for children aged 8\u201311. These camps help kids explore live performance under the guidance of professional artists, fostering confidence, friendships, and creativity. Each camp concludes with participants showcasing their own theatrical creations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/6-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3071\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/6-4.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/6-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/6-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/6-4-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/6-4-1068x712.jpg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Summer camps run for six weeks starting the first Monday of July, allowing kids to produce a new show each week. For youth aged 14\u201318, Quest Theatre provides the free Quest\u2019s Youth Squad drama program, offering training in improvisation, clowning, mask-making, and performance. Participants also have opportunities to perform on the streets during summer events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/7-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3077\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/7-4.jpg 750w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/7-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/7-4-696x464.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Another initiative, Artists in School, uses developmental drama to explore the creative process. Experienced artists work with students over a week to create a play in schools, emphasizing social skills, creativity, and teamwork while inspiring respect for culture and individuality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/8.jpg 900w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/8-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/8-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.calgary-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/12\/8-696x464.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Professional_Affiliations_and_Milestones\"><\/span>Professional Affiliations and Milestones<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Quest Theatre is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) and collaborates with artists under agreements like the Canadian Theatre Agreement (CTA). The theatre is also affiliated with Theatre Alberta and ASSITEJ Canada, an international organization for children\u2019s and youth theatre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By 2023, Quest Theatre had performed for over 1.5 million children, teens, and families across Alberta and Western Canada. It produced over 115 plays, worked with 440 artists, and provided numerous school programs and drama camps. In the 2021\u20132022 season alone, Quest Theatre held 58 performances and engaged 391 students in its camps and programs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Quest Theatre brings imaginative and intellectual theatrical adventures to life, encouraging young audiences to explore themselves, learn about important issues, and build the world they wish to live in. The theatre offers touring performances as well as opportunities for children to create their own theatre through drama camps and specialized school programs. Learn more on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":413,"featured_media":3083,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[156],"tags":[1727,1738,1739,1736,1730,1734,1740,1729,1733,1737,1732,1728,1741,1731,1735],"moimportance":[32,35],"motype":[160],"moformat":[1285],"class_list":{"0":"post-3055","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-teatrs","8":"tag-alberta-childrens-theatre","9":"tag-alberta-school-drama","10":"tag-artists-in-school-program","11":"tag-calgary-arts-community","12":"tag-childrens-performances-calgary","13":"tag-creative-programs-for-kids","14":"tag-cspace-king-edward-3","15":"tag-drama-camps-calgary","16":"tag-duval-lang-theatre","17":"tag-quest-theatre-calgary","18":"tag-rick-mcnair-playwright","19":"tag-theater-education-alberta","20":"tag-theatre-for-youth","21":"tag-touring-theatre-for-kids","22":"tag-youth-theatre-alberta","23":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","24":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory","25":"motype-eternal","26":"moformat-c-l"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/413"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3055"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3055\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3086,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3055\/revisions\/3086"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3083"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3055"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=3055"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=3055"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/calgary-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=3055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}