Cochrane's Vision Theatre is entering a new chapter under a new name as it prepares for its first production of the season.
Emerging as Take A Bow Community Theatre Society, Su Hawkey-Bolibruck said the organization is moving in a new direction that will hopefully include more productions and an educational component.
Hawkey-Bolibruck, a society board member, is taking the stage in her directorial debut, along with Bart Farkas, for this year's production of The Mousetrap, an Agatha Christie classic murder mystery and one of the longest running theatre productions in the world since it opened in London in 1952.
To get the ball rolling, auditions have been scheduled for Jan. 30 and 31 at the Days Inn from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Hawkey-Bolibruck said they need to fill roles for eight characters - three women and five males – between the ages of 25 and 65.
The walk-in auditions will include cold readings and other interactions to fit potential actors to their roles and is open to everyone.
"We're hoping we'll be able to cast all the roles," she said, putting emphasis on needing men to audition.
"We tend to have trouble finding enough male roles," Hawkey-Bolibruck said, adding she is optimistic. "We have a lot of talent in Cochrane.
Following auditions, rehearsals will begin in February with an intensive schedule including two rehearsal dates each week leading up to the performances is scheduled for May 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12 at the Cochrane RancheHouse.
Hawkey-Bolibruck said there is a possibility of a seventh matinee showing being added to the schedule.
"They'll have to be pretty committed given it's a small ensemble," said Hawkey-Bolibruck of the cast.
The new direction of the theatre company was born out of the desire to do more in the community, which extends beyond just shows and features a capacity building component, according to Hawkey-Bolibruck.
"We decided we needed to have a look at what we wanted to do in the community ... we think we have the ability to do more and serve as a place in the community to learn," she said.
In that vein, Hawkey-Bolibruck said the society will be looking at offering workshops in everything from costume and makeup design to directing and character development.
To find out more about the new society, go to https://cochranevisiontheatre.ca
