‘A real game-changer:’ Shakespeare on the Sask. unveils new build

It was a new-build unveiling like no other on Saskatoon’s riverbank Tuesday night. Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan (SOTS) held its grand opening for the new facility, complete with a permanent, concrete amphitheatre, a new tavern and box office, along with a new open-concept design.

The build for the new facility began in Nov. 2019, but planning started way back in 2014. Thanks to community sponsors, fundraising, and with federal and provincial funding, the new facility is set to be open to the public beginning on Sept. 14.

SOTS Artistic Producer Will Brooks took questions following a special media event held at the site Tuesday.

“We’re pretty pumped… we’re sad that we didn’t get to offer a festival this year, but on the other hand, we’re really excited that we finally get to open this space,” he said. “This has been a long project in the making for us, and really represents us taking the next step.”

Thirty-five years ago, a group of artists squatted on the land which is located along Saskatoon’s riverbank. It was a start that the organization now says they are fortunate to have, being located in such prime real estate.

Brooks explained that the organization is ready for the recent facelift and ready to implement “some fancier toys” into its production.

“The capabilities of a show that we can produce on this site are quite different. To have this permanent amphitheatre that has all the bells and whistles built into it, that was actually built for the purposes of the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan will be a real game-changer,” he said.

Preparations can now shift to deliver shows in a way that plans around the new build, Brooks said. Its something the festival has lacked in its history, but Brooks said he’s ready to “up the game of the art” they deliver to the community.

He said he has no shortage of ideas as to how the new space can be used, which includes the capability to have the show travel around the site and along the riverbank.
Brooks explained that this is also a space that isn’t reserved for his organization alone.

“We didn’t want to do this as an island. We didn’t want to do this just for ourselves. We wanted to involve as many partners as possible,” he said. “Trying to be as open as possible to accommodate what all of our partners would like to see come out of this site, and still be true to the nature of Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan.”

Brooks hopes that when people first set foot in the new facility, they imagine its different aspects as something they can use for their own individual events.

There’s still work being done on the site, including the “Contemplation Circle,” which starts construction next week and will be complete by October.

The project is led by Indigenous cultural consultant Joseph Naytowhow.

Along with the new build, LED lighting was also installed around the riverbank area. This is to make the area more accessible and is fully programmable.

Brooks has a vision for the new facility, something that encompasses all Saskatonians, and others visiting the site:

“It’s really crucial to us that we have the ability to make this a place for everybody.”

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Logan Stein

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