The Theatre Arts Guild facts for kids
The Theatre Arts Guild (TAG) is a special community theatre group in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It's one of the oldest community theatres in Canada that has been running without stopping!
Contents
A Look Back at TAG's History
How TAG Started
The Theatre Arts Guild, or TAG, began in 1931. Two groups, the Little Theatre Movement and the Halifax Dramatic and Musical Club, joined together to create it. The very first director was a person named Sidney Culverwell Oland.
First Shows and Homes
TAG's first play was called The Dover Road by A.A. Milne. They performed it in May 1931 at the Garrick Theatre. This theatre is now known as the Neptune Theatre.
During World War II, TAG changed its focus. Instead of full plays, they put on "concert parties." These were special shows for soldiers before they went overseas.
Over the years, TAG has had many different places to perform. These included the Capitol Theatre and the former College Street School. They also used gymnasiums at HMCS Scotian and St. Patrick's High School.
Finding a Permanent Home
In 1966, TAG found a permanent home. They bought and fixed up an old church hall at 6 Parkhill Road. They named this new home "The Pond Playhouse." In 2005, they started a big project to make it even better. The Pond Playhouse can hold up to 90 people in its audience.
What TAG Does Today
Promoting Theatre Arts
TAG's main goal is to help people learn about and practice dramatic and musical arts. They want to share the joy of theatre in Halifax and the surrounding areas. The amazing thing is that only volunteers run the entire company!
A Season of Shows
TAG's theatre season runs from September all the way through July. They put on five different shows each year. These shows include many types of performances. You might see musicals, funny comedies, exciting mysteries, or serious dramas. They also have a very popular Christmas pantomime every year.
Besides plays, TAG offers other fun activities. They hold workshops where people can learn about acting and theatre. They also have poetry readings and an annual "Variety Night" for their members.
Past Performances
TAG has put on many great shows over the years. Here are some of their recent productions:
- Marion Bridge (from the 2022-2023 season)
- Dracula - the Bloody Truth (from the 2021-2022 season; this show was planned for 2020 but had to be moved because of the pandemic)
- Thought, Word, and Deed (from the 2020‐2021 season)
- The Ladies Foursome (from the 2019‐2020 season)
- The Full Monty (from the 2013-2014 season)
See also
