Ottawa, ON – In 2021, the Odyssey Theatre received a $22,600 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund. This grant has helped the Company update its technical equipment, produce theatre online and prepare to re-open its Theatre Under the Stars open-air theatre, returning to Strathcona Park.
“When I was first elected in 2020, Odyssey Theatre was one of the first organizations I connected with to learn more about how they were adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lucille Collard, Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier. “Their resilience and adaptability are truly inspiring for any theatre organization seeking to engage the Ottawa-Vanier Community. I look forward to seeing how Odyssey Theatre continues to innovate with the Resilient Communities Fund.”
Following the onset of COVID-19, Odyssey Theatre was forced to cancel its traditional live productions and inperson events, and quickly pivoted to digital theatre programs. Support from OTF allowed Odyssey to provide its artists with the required equipment and training to produce podcasts and live web series from their homes. Odyssey also engaged a digital marketing expert to help publicize its new online offerings.
Odyssey was also able to host a free podcasting workshop for the community in November 2021. The workshop was led by podcaster Sam Laliberte, host and producer of the Freedom Lifestyle Podcast and creator of Launch a Podcast on a Budget.
“Working in a digital format has been very exciting and our audio-drama podcast series will help us reach new audiences with our work,” said Artistic Director Laurie Steven. “We greatly appreciate the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation for our digital theatre projects and this community workshop.”
Thanks to the OTF funding, Odyssey continues to produce digital content while anticipating a return to live theatre. The Company is set to launch its own exciting series of audio fantasy-dramas as a Podcast in 2022.
About Odyssey Theatre
Odyssey Theatre is Ottawa’s premier summer theatre that has been enchanting audiences with its Theatre Under the Stars for 36 years by the banks of the Rideau River in Strathcona Park. Odyssey’s award-winning productions are renowned for their highly skilled performances and imaginative staging featuring masks and physical movement. Learn more at odysseytheatre.ca.
About the Ontario Trillium Foundation
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Media Contact:
John Forster – Board Chair, Odyssey Theatre
(613) 232-8407
info@odysseytheatre.ca
