The Way of the Future…
I, and others, have spoken about it before, but I believe that it needs to be re-mentioned! With the economy as low as it is, more families will be staying close to home this summer. That being said, festivals and events will have to become more “kid and family friendly”. The challenge will be that more festivals and events will be competing for the same dollars! As a result, organizers will have to become more innovative! The days of status quo are over. No longer will organizers be able to rely on the “tried and true”. Yes, some of them will work, but which one? Offering the same thing that everyone else does won’t “cut it” any more! New ideas will have to surface! That’s why, for me, it was refreshing to meet Whitney Smith and the Suitcase Theatre. A number of weeks ago I had the opportunity to see a Suitcase Theatre “Puppet Musical” play based on the poem, “The House That Jack Built”. (Read my Ontario Festivals Visited article)

It was an original production with new music written by Whitney. I must admit that I was a bit “nervous” about it being a play for “children”! However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the play. Perhaps it was my “inner child” coming through. Whatever it was, I enjoyed it and I know that adults in the audience did too! Whitney and his Suitcase Theatre Company are now offering this play and others to organizers of festivals and events located in southern Ontario. This is a perfect alternative “innovative” attraction! I hope, as Judi and I travel from event to event, that we see more of the Suitcase Theatre group’s productions! (Suitcase Theatre’s website)