It’s a gem of Huntsville’s downtown, and a unique partnership between the Algonquin Theatre, a Town of Huntsville-owned facility, and local nonprofit Huntsville Festival of the Arts, makes it shine brightly.
“We want this to be an active, vibrant arts hub for the community,” says Matt Huddlestone, Manager of the Algonquin Theatre.
The theatre was built in 2005, the result of hard work by local visionaries who intuitively knew what it would add to Huntsville’s downtown. Huntsville Festival of the Arts, which was founded in 1993, was there from the beginning.
A multitude of performers have graced the Algonquin Theatre stage, from Canadian icons Gord Downie and Jim Cuddy to local musicians and dance schools. It has hosted conferences, movies, rehearsals, video shoots and live recordings—recently The Good Lovelies recorded music videos in the theatre and The Rankin Family recorded two live concert albums, and in 2016, in the best-kept secret in town, former The Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie rehearsed for his Secret Path show. There have been grade 8 graduations, a university fair and even a wedding. It’s truly a space for everyone.
“We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel welcome, and for the community to know that we work hard to offer something for all,” says Huddlestone.
The Good Lovelies live taped their performance at the Algonquin Theatre in February 2019 (Photo Mark Klassen via The Good Lovelies Facebook page)
“We are always trying to find different ways that we can engage with people,” adds Dan Watson, Executive Director of the Huntsville Festival of the Arts. “To make it more accessible, to make it more lively, and part of it is listening to what do people want or what are they interested in.” The HFA is the theatre’s biggest user, renting space there year-round for most of its offerings. But the relationship between the HFA and the Algonquin Theatre goes beyond that.
“We work well together, it’s a true cohesive partnership,” says Huddlestone. He and Watson often bounce ideas off each other to make the theatre experience a positive one for both patrons and performers alike.
That extends beyond the theatre walls, too. Partners Hall, on the building’s main floor, is both art gallery and meeting space. Civic Square, in front of the theatre, is an inviting area where anyone can stop to play the outdoor piano provided by Huntsville Festival of the Arts, check out the books in the Huntsville Public Library’s Little Free Library, or just sit and watch the world go by.
The Huntsville Festival of the Arts piano in Civic Square invites passersby to “Play me, I’m yours!”
Civic Square sometimes even acts as performance space—a puppet show, for example, has been staged on the second-floor balcony for spectators below.
“Sometimes we throw out these ideas and sometimes they stick and sometimes they don’t,” says Watson, “but it’s a genuine desire to do better, to push ourselves.”
“We are artists first…that’s the cool thing,” adds Huddlestone. “We are artists that care about artists, and about translating that into a great audience experience.”
And they’ll continue to do that together. “We need to keep thinking about what these spaces can be and who they’re for and how we can invite more people in and continue to serve the people that we do,” says Watson. ” And I’m really excited about that because I feel like with Matt and [theatre staff]. Sam and Mel and Chris are always open to new ideas and open to trying something different.”
For more information about the Algonquin Theatre and what’s playing this summer, visit algonquintheatre.ca. Don’t forget about the weekly Concerts on the Dock every Wednesday at the Town Dock, too!
The Town Dock was jam-packed when the Northern Lights Steel Orchestra played at Concerts on the Dock on July 17, 2019
Related stories:
Algonquin Theatre announces line up for Concerts on the Dock
More than just shows: Algonquin Theatre has something for everyone
It’s contest time!
When you’re taking in shows at the Algonquin Theatre, why not take part in these Town of Huntsville contests?
Huntsville Photo Contest 2019 – The Huntsville photo contest is back. First place will be awarded $500, second place $300 and third place $200 so get snapping! Contest ends September 30th, 2019 at 11:59pm. For full contest details and to register visit myhuntsville.ca
#HealthyHuntsville – Encourage residents and visitors to park a little further when they are downtown by taking the #HealthyHuntsville pledge and be entered to win cool prizes. For contest details visit myhuntsville.ca
This is a sponsored story paid for by the featured advertiser
Personally, I’d like to see more buskers in Civic Square, e.g. Christine Heron; especially with the coming link to Rivermill Park and their concert stage. Two differences though: could they please be paid (instead of soliciting)?; and could there be a proper pedestrian crosswalk there (with activated lights)?
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As for the theatre, I would love to see Hawksley Workman perform the score he recently composed for an ongoing Stratford presentation. Maybe some local actors could also be involved; dependent on copyright laws.
How lucky ? are we in Huntsville to be the recipients of such a mutually beneficial relationship between the Algonquin Theatre and the Huntsville Festival of the Arts!