Highland Arts Theatre - About Us Video
Highland Arts Theatre, or The HAT as it's affectionately called, is the name of a performance venue in downtown Sydney, Nova Scotia, formerly the home of St. Andrew's Church. When the church was decommissioned in 2013, local musician and businessman Kevin Colford stepped up to transform the beloved historical building into a state of the art centre for arts and culture. The venue officially re-opened in June 2014 with an original musical comedy: The Wakowski Brothers.
While the venue is available for rent and has hosted many of Cape Breton's finest in the fields of music and dance, it is our mandate to create a reliable, professional theatrical presence in downtown Sydney, producing quality productions with a special emphasis on Cape Breton songs and stories.
In June 2016, the HAT became a Professional Member of Theatre Nova Scotia.
At the 2016 Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Business Awards, the Highland Arts Theatre was awarded the Arts & Entertainment Award, the People's Choice for Favourite Arts and Culture Experience, and Artistic Director Wesley J. Colford was awarded the Jack Yazer Young Entrepeneur of the Year.
Highland Arts Theatre presents The Wakowski Brothers - A Cape Breton Vaudeville Trailer
Discover Sydney's latest downtown venue - The Highland Community Centre for Arts and Culture, formally St. Andrew's Church - in this debut production: THE WAKOWSKI BROTHERS - A CAPE BRETON VAUDEVILLE.
Written and Directed by Wesley J. Colford, this award-winning, original musical has been professionally mounted across Ontario and now at last returns home to Cape Breton with an all-star cast of local talent:
Featuring
GEORGE MacKENZIE as Jim Wakowski
RON NEWCOMBE as Conrad Wakowski
and introducing
LISA PENNY as Caitlyn Rose
And Award-Winning Musicians
IAN AKER
RON LEADBEATER
RED MIKE MacDONALD
BREAGH MacKINNON
Be among the first to see this historic first production within a beloved staple of the community given new purpose through art.
SUMMARY:
The year is 1938.
8 years after splitting the act, Cape Breton Vaudeville legends Jimmy and Conrad Wakowski reunite for a one night tribute performance. As the night goes on, the original skits and songs bring old demons to the surface. Jimmy's ex-wife Caitlyn joins them as painful memories and past betrayals conspire to destroy the attempt to rebuild their shattered relationship.
This original musical mixes slapstick comedy with high stakes and heartbreak, played to the tune of an original Vaudeville score. This emotional rollercoaster, highlighting an oft overlooked era of Cape Breton history will make you laugh and cry as you tap your feet and split your sides.
Bowler hats and rubber chickens are optional.
WHAT THE CRITICS SAID:
Believe the buzz. Vaudeville is born again in this old-timey meta-tale of two orphans, their path to stardom and the inevitable woman who comes between them. The show is simultaneously ribald, tender and punny like the music hall acts it reveres.
- NOW Magazine (NNNN, Critic's Pick, Outstanding Production)
The jokes come fast and furious, tapping into an incredibly silly place that lurks within everyone [but] the comedy eventually takes a backseat to a story of surprising depth.
- The Torontoist (4 stars, Best of Fest)
I loved The Wakowski Brothers, it's a definite must-see show. If you miss it at the 2012 Toronto Fringe you'll probably be able to see it at The Winter Garden after Mirvish picks it up. The tickets will be more expensive though.
- Sam Mooney, Mooney on Theatre (Critic's Pick)
BUZZ and PRESS:
CBC:
Cape Breton Post:
CBC Radio:
SOCIAL MEDIA:
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HEART OF STEEL - Official Trailer
During World War II, the Sydney Steel Plant in Sydney, Nova Scotia produced more than 50% of Canada's steel.
For the first time in history, women were allowed to work by the masses while our boys fought overseas.
Learn the true story.
Live the history.
Experience Cape Breton.
Highland Arts Theatre: Year One
A montage of the first eight major productions of the Highland Arts Theatre (Sydney, NS) from their first year in operation.
Edited by Nicholas Porteous
Excepts from:
The Wakowski Brothers, June 2014
The Lieutenant of Inishmore, October 2014
A Christmas Carol, November 2014
Shit Song for Some Island, January 2015
Theatre Brouhaha's Punch Up, February 2015
Heart of Steel, March 2015
Zadie's Shoes, April 2015
First Time Last Time, May 2015
For more information, please visit: highlandartstheatre,com
Greg MacPherson - Mr. Invitation @ the Fox Den, Sydney, NS 3 Oct 2014
via YouTube Capture
Cape Breton According Kenzie & Colin - WE WILL SING TRAILER
The Highland Arts Theatre is very proud to announce the launch of a new concert series: Cape Breton According to
Each concert will pair an established Cape Breton musician with a new generation musician or band with a similar style, teaming up to play a mix of the classic songs we all know and love as well as new original songs written specifically for this concert.
The first concert in the series will feature two such Cape Breton artists: Kenzie MacNeil and Colin Grant.
Kenzie and Colin have been longtime friends and collaborators and have a musical sensibility unrivaled in their perspective fields. They have both strongly embraced this project and are excited to lead the way, hopefully fostering a birthing ground for a whole new generation of classic Cape Breton music.
Kenzie is of course best known as the composer of the unofficial anthem of Cape Breton The Island and is one of the most prolific and well-established members of the local entertainment industry with over 50 years experience in music, theatre, film & television, radio, and producing. He was one of the original founders of The Rise and Follies of Cape Breton Island and wrote countless songs through the decades. Said Artistic Director Wesley J. Colford, We are so honoured to have Kenzie on this project as our flagship Cape Breton musical series and we cant wait to see what he comes up with next!
Colin Grant has had a varied and equally prolific career as a solo artist, as well as playing with several local folk-rock bands including the previously being a member of the traditional music band Còig and more recently as a member of the Jordan Musycsyn band. He frequently tours the world.
This first concert will take place on May 22 at 8:00 PM at the Highland Arts Theatre (40 Bentinck St.).
Tickets are $30 in Advance or $37 at the Door.
General John Cabot Trail Live!
The Chief Rabble-Rouser is back! He's here to educate the masses on this strange country called Canada (and our strange neighbours to the south).
Share or Like this to become an official member of the Cape Breton Liberation Army!.... well.... sort of official. This idea was concocted after last call at the bar...
Here's how to Book me: call my good friend, Dave Harley at 902-577-2636, or 902-736-9083 or email daveharley27@hotmail.com.
THE RETURN OF THE CBLA: Be Prepared - Featuring Frankie MacDonald
Song and Video produced and written by Thomas L. Colford
The South Bar Bois:
Rory Andrews, Donnie Antle, & Kevin Munroe
Featuring Frankie MacDonald
The Return of the Cape Breton Liberation Army is a fictional comic book representation of 2017 Cape Breton full of mutated lobster men, giant fiddle robots, and the ever-distant quest for a sustainable Cape Breton.
This original musical comedy is by Wesley J. Colford, inspired by the work of Paul Moose MacKinnon and his comic Old Trout Funnies.
Thanks to Frankie MacDonald and everyone who helped make this video. Long Live the CBLA!
AGNS Art Party June 19, 2015
Take a look into the first installment of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia's ArtParty presented by TD and hosted by the Young Patrons' Circle.
Leave your art stereotypes at the door. ArtParty crushes boundaries and what you thought art should be. The Circle wants to change the way you view art, and invites you to take in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in a way never done before as it’s transformed into a vibrant space where lights, music and food and, most importantly, the art will allow you to inspire your own experience. Engage with fellow art-lovers, meet curators and artists, wander the galleries and make your very own work of art. At ArtParty, curate your own experience and create a one-of-a-kind Friday night.
Symphony No.5 - Finale (Tchaikovsky)
The Cape Breton Orchestra, live from The Highland Arts Theatre, Sydney, NS, Canada, May 5th 2018 performing the finale from Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.5. The CBO is under the direction of Noelle Wadden - Shawn MacDonald, concertmaster - Kim Lantz, founder and Artistic Director.
Highlights from the Confidential Musical Theatre Project: Cape Breton #6
THE CONFIDENTIAL MUSICAL THEATRE PROJECT!
One Broadway Musical, One Night, No Rehearsal!
HOW IT WORKS:
We choose a Broadway musical.
We cast the musical with the best performers possible regardless of age, race, body type, or gender.
We get them their scripts and scores and ask them to familiarize themselves with their role(s).
We ask them not to reveal the title of the musical or their role in it to anyone.
With NO rehearsals, we all meet for the first time on the night of the performance and start the musical.
The challenge for the performers: create an ensemble on their feet in front of an audience.
The audience shows up without knowing what show they're going to see.
The only rule: We don't stop - no matter what happens.
Essentially, you get to see the First Rehearsal, Dress Rehearsal, Opening Night, and Closing Night all in the span of two hours!
On January 27th, 2018 the Highland Arts Theatre hosted its 6th such event, performing for one night only the hilarious Canadian musical: The Drowsy Chaperone. See highlights of this hysterical night above and make sure you don't miss the next edition of The Confidential Musical Theatre Project!
Edited by Nicholas Porteous
Out on the Mira
Out on the Mira as played on the carillon of the Highland Arts Theatre (formerly Saint Andrew's United Church) in Sydney, Nova Scotia
On The Street Where You Live
The Cape Breton Orchestra, live from The Highland Arts Theatre, Sydney, NS, Canada, May 5th 2018, featuring Frank McKibbon singing the famous On The Street Where You Live. The CBO is under the direction of Noelle Wadden - Shawn MacDonald, concertmaster - Kim Lantz, founder and Artistic Director.
Thunder AND Lightening!
Sept 28th, 2017
Approx 7:15 am
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Canada
The Typewriter
The Cape Breton Orchestra, live from The Highland Arts Theatre, Sydney, NS, Canada, May 5th 2018, featuring Fred Green with Leroy Anderson's The Typewriter. The CBO is under the direction of Noelle Wadden - Shawn MacDonald, concertmaster - Kim Lantz, founder and Artistic Director.
Habanera, from Carmen
The Cape Breton Orchestra was recorded live, May 3rd 2015 at the Highland Arts Theatre, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. Special guest soprano Krista Norman was the featured soloist. The CBO is directed by Noelle Wadden; Kim Lantz, Founder & Artistic Director; Shawn MacDonald Concertmaster.
Black & White Fright Night 2017: An Invitation
From the bowels of the Highland Arts Theatre, comes an invitation to terror... times two!
Saturday, October 21st at 8:00PM Highland Arts, Sydney, Nova Scotia
8 Tutorial, The Complete Dance
This is the complete choreography for the Big Dance Pledge 2014, demonstrated by Rosie Revell and Preston Clare with Ryan Hughes and Sophie Laplane. You can learn the dance with our 5 tutorial videos, showing you one section at a time, and eve use our special warm up video. Have you seen our performance film showing the Big Dance Pledge family dancing at home? See how it looks when they all join in, and even get their post woman involved! Visit bigdance.org.uk.
2017 - The Syncopated Clock
The Cape Breton Orchestra goes Pops, live from the Highland Arts Theatre, Sydney, NS, Canada, April 8th 2017. The CBO is under the direction of Noelle Wadden - Shawn MacDonald, concertmaster - Kim Lantz, founder and Artistic Director.
Cities of the World - Sydney (Canada)
Cities of the World - Sydney (Canada)