It's a Family Thing

Fringe has been a highlight for Karen Gall (she/her) and her family since our Festival first began in 1982.

“The Festival instilled in all my family a love of theatre and performing,” Karen smiles.

Karen’s worked with several Artists producing shows, including assisting her daughter Melanie in many of her own Fringe productions, which Melanie has toured around the world. This year brings a new challenge – collaborating and creating a show together as mother and daughter.

“It’s something we’ve both been wanting to do for some time,” Karen explains, “and this year we finally have the chance.”

“When I first moved to Alberta in the 1970’s, my friends and family back in Toronto thought I was going to the end of the earth,” she chuckles. “I still remember how it felt to learn about my new province – its history, landscapes, people, traditions, quirks, and rivalries (Edmonton vs Calgary rather than Toronto vs Montreal, for example!). I learned about the rich traditions and cultures of the Indigenous peoples here.”

All this forms the basis of her Fringe show, Hockey Sticks and Beaver Pie, now playing at Venue 4: MacEwan Fine Arts Walterdale Theatre.

“I feel our show conveys that feeling of discovery to Albertans who have lived here for decades and to those who are new to our province or country,” Karen muses.

“Even now, many Canadians don’t consider Alberta a tourism destination. But, through this show – which is a musical tribute to some of the beautiful, quirky, and even tragic highlights of Alberta – I hope to tell some forgotten stories from the province’s history and take Audiences on a trip to discover the adventure waiting just a few steps (or sometimes a 9-hour drive!) from their front door. There’s more than just the excitement of a giant a mall!”

Tickets for Karen’s show are on sale now!

Are you an aspiring Fringe performer? You too can apply for the Mowat Diversity Award. The Mowat Diversity Award provides one Fringe-run Venue spot to an equity-seeking Artist, providing them with a stage, technicians, lighting, sound equipment, box office support, marketing, and $500 cash and mentorship. Read more about the award here!