1999/2000 was a very busy year for the society. In some regards it was a year of transition and refocusing. The Board of Directors met early on in the year to review all of our existing programs (over the last 10 years) and charted some new directions for the core members &endash; primarily that of focusing our work in the area of eco-theatre and community development. In terms of production, programming increased considerably, mainly in the area of student participation in many of the youth drama projects. Much of the year was also dedicated to producing radio pieces for Eco-Air Waves and developing a new play called "Splash & Ripple". The highly successful play project was part of our summer Theatre-In-The-Park series in Banff (2 weeks) with a tour of BC & Alberta in August/September (5 weeks) with 43 performances in total. The year 2000 marked Precipice Theatre's 11th year of operation.

November 1999

Eco-Airwaves (November 1999 &endash; October 2000)

A considerable amount of time and energy during the 1999/2000 season was focused on Eco-Airwaves. In partnership with Friends of Banff Park Radio and the Alberta Ecotrust, the objective of the project was to create 10 hours of new programming for the radio station. The new programming included numerous audio sketches, vignettes, features, documentaries and audio archives of past play productions. Over 30 members of the company and volunteers contributed to this on going project as researchers, writers, and performers. The project is scheduled for completion in January of 2001. 30 participants took part in this project.

Eco-theatre Performance and Improv &endash; Arusha Centre AGM

Precipice Theatre were the featured performers at the Arusha Centre Annual General Meeting in Calgary. The company performed segments of Corridor Croquet and also showcase a number of improv scenes with environmental messages. 10 performers and technical crew. Attendance of 300 people.

Youth Drama Program - Fall Acting Classes

During the fall of 1999 Precipice Theatre supported two youth drama classes &endash; Acting Up (Level 1 &endash; Grade 2 &endash; 4) and Acting Up (Level 2 &endash; Grade 5 &endash; 6). The classes were 10 weeks in duration with 28 students participating in the program. At the end of the sessions Level 1 students showcased a short play called "The Real Story of the Big Bad Wolf" and the Level 2 students showcased a series of contemporary monologues. 28 students involved in classes and performances. 60 people in attendance.

Hot Chocolate House (November & December 1999)

The monthly Hot Chocolate House performance nights are talent nights produced by students. The events are held in the Performing Art Hub and are usually 90 minutes in length with a diverse range of student performances, skits, and music. Two Hot Chocolate Houses took place in the fall (November & December). 32 student performers were involved. Attendance of 110 people.

Community Animation Conference &endash; Health Canada & Environment Canada - Edmonton

Precipice Theatre produced and facilitated the Eco-Theatre Cabaret at the Community Animation Conference in Edmonton. The Cabaret featured a number of Alberta based performers who highlight nature themes in their work. Precipice showcased scenes from Corridor Croquet as well as a number of improv scenes. 8 performers and technical crew. Attendance of 80 people.

Audubon Expeditions Institute &endash; Ecotheatre workshop

Two day workshop for students of the Audubon Expeditions Institute to assist them in using various theatre forms to synthesize key learnings acquired during their three month exposure tour of Alberta. Participation of 30 students and faculty.

December 1999

Banff Community Xmas Concert (Eric Harvey Theatre, Banff Centre)

Working closely with Banff Elementary School members of Precipice helped Division 2 mount a large-scale musical/dance called "Ho Ho a Go Go" for the annual Banff Community Xmas Concert. The piece included 30 mid size puppets as well as a giant Santa puppet. The production involved 110 performers and 28 production assistants. 3 performances in total. Attendance 1,500 people.

Banff First Night Festival (Outdoor & Indoor venues, Banff Centre)

Once again members of Precipice Theatre were very active with assisting in the production of the Banff First Night Festival. Our support was primarily in area of artistic direction &endash; organizing talent, developing the festival theme, and assistance in producing the two finales.

For the second year the company assisted in the production of the "Wapiti Walk" as part of the opening ceremony for the festival. The "Wapiti Walk" is a community procession of masks, colourful hats, and large-scale puppets. A number of puppet workshops for the community were organized by Precipice Volunteers to assist in preparing for the New Year's parade. During the 3 scheduled production workshops 100 participants took part with 8 workshop leaders and 2 guest workshop leaders. 8 performers were active in the improv sets and as puppeteers during the two finales. 100 participants in attendance.

Precipice was also active as performers at the Banff Centre Club entertaining audiences with a number of comedy improv sketches as well as featured performers in the finales. Festival attendance was approximately 1,800 people.

January 2000

Living By Water Conference (Delta Inn, Richmond, B.C.)

As part of a promotion of our new play "Splash & Ripple" and the "Living By Water" initiative, members of the company previewed a scene from the play at the National Shorelines Conference in Richmond, B.C. 5 performers were involved in the preview. 300 conference delegates in attendance.

Eco-Theatre Play Production Sessions (January &endash; May)

During the winter/spring of 2000 Precipice organized 16 (weekly) play development sessions for members to assist in the creation of our new play "Splash & Ripple". The production sessions included: research, brainstorming, improv, and writing. 14 members participated in the play creation workshops.

Youth Drama - Winter/Spring Acting Classes

During the winter/spring of 2000 Precipice Theatre supported two youth drama classes &endash; Acting Up (level 1 &endash; Grade 2 &endash; 4) and Acting Up (level 2 &endash; Grade 5 &endash; 6). The classes were 10 weeks in duration with 32 students participating in the program. At the end of the session level 1 students showcased an adaptation of the "Lorax" and the level 2 students showcased monologues. 32 students involved in classes and performances. 55 people were in attendance.

Hot Chocolate House (January, April, May, October 2000)

4 Hot Chocolate Houses took place in 2000. 45 students were involved as performers. Attendance of 230 people.

February 2000

Art Venture Cabaret &endash; Talent showcase of local youth

Precipice Theatre members assisted the local Art Venture society in the production of their annual talent showcase held in the Banff Centre Club. 13 youth performers from our "Acting Up & Acting Out" youth drama ensemble performed a series of monologues during the evening. 13 youth involved as performers. 150 people were in attendance.

Eco-theatre Workshop - South East Theatre Conference &endash; Norfork, Virgina

Artistic Director Colin Funk was invited to host a workshop on developing Eco-theatre for the SETC in Norfork. 30 participants attended this event.

March 2000

Stressed Out!

In partnership with the local Health Unit, Precipice Theatre Youth Drama students created an original one act play called "Stressed Out"! The play focused on issues of stress and stress management as it relates to students. The play involved 18 performers (Grade 5, 6 & 8) and was performed 5 times: Banff Elementary, Canmore and Exshaw schools and at the Performance Hub. 18 performers were involved in 5 performances attended by 780 students, teachers and parents.

Alberta Ecotrust AGM performance

Precipice Theatre were the featured performers at the Alberta Ecotrust Annual General meeting held in Canmore. The company animated Eco Airwave's radio vignettes. 7 performer and 1 technician were involved. 60 people were in attendance for this event.

April 2000

Banff Earth Day Celebrations

In April, Precipice Theatre members assisted local community groups in celebrating Earth Day. The 200 block of Banff Avenue was closed down and opened up to information booths and street performers. Precipice assisted in the event by animating a number of our large puppets to help promote the event and engage visitors. 400 people were in attendance at this event.

May 2000

Richard Armstrong Voice Workshop(May &endash; June)

Organized and hosted our annual community voice workshop with Richard Armstrong. The workshop was held over 3 weekends. 12 participants took part in this workshop.

June 2000

Environment Week

During Environment Week Precipice Theatre hosted a reading of our new play "Splash & Ripple" on the riverside lawn of the Whyte Museum. 25 people attended this event.

July & August 2000

Theatre-In-The-Park 2000

The mainstage production for Precipice Theatre this year was "Splash & Ripple". The play was commissioned by the Living By Water organization &endash; a national coalition of naturalists concerned about the health of our shorelines. The play opened on Canada Day in Banff for a 2 week run and then went on a 5 week tour of Alberta and British Columbia. The play was developed by a crew of 12 production assistants, 2 musicians and 12 performers. 12 performers and 2 technical crew were involved in 43 performances in Banff and on tour. Approximately 3,700 people in attendance of Whyte Museum performances and Western Canada tour.

Between Nature Conference &endash; Lancaster University, Lancaster, England

Artistic Director Colin Funk was invited to host a workshop on Eco-theatre and to profile the work of Precipice Theatre at the Between Nature Conference at Lancaster. The conference brought together a wide variety of performing artists who focus much of their work in and around nature themes. 35 people took part in the workshop.

September 2000

Banff Community Harvest Picnic

Precipice Theatre's "Splash & Ripple" was the featured performance at this year's Banff Community Harvest Picnic. The company remounted the production for the picnic. 250 people were in attendance at this event.

Improv Olympics &endash; Banff Centre for Management

Precipice members produced an evening of improv theatre for 250 conference delegates at the Banff Centre in late September. 9 members of the company took part in the production.

October 2000

Youth Drama

3 youth drama classes are set up for the fall of 2000. Each of the classes runs for 8 weeks in duration. Acting Up & Acting Out (Level 1 & Level 2) &endash; 23 participants. Teen Acting Class &endash; 16 participants

Adult Improv

1 adult improv class is running for the fall of 2000. The class runs for 10 weeks and has 10 participants enrolled.

Recycling Council of Alberta &endash; Corporate Clowning Workshop

Members of the company hosted a 2 hour Corporate Clowing workshop at the annual Recycling Council of Alberta conference in Lake Louise this year. 40 participants attended the workshop.

Audience Outreach

Approximately 10,185 people experienced a play, improv performance, workshop or training session with Precipice during the 1999/2000 season.