New Temporary Exhibit at the Galt Celebrates Local Queer Theatre Company
Join us for a media availability on August 24th at 10:30 a.m. with guest curator Jason Ranaghan, Theatre Outré co-founder Jay Whitehead, Theatre Outré board chair Lorraine Hebert, and Galt Museum curator Tyler Stewart.
House of Didi, 2016
Image courtesy Jaime Vedres Photography
Lethbridge —The Galt Museum & Archives | Akaisamitohkanao’pa (eternal gathering place) is proud to present its latest temporary exhibition, Acting Out: Celebrating a Decade of Theatre Outré, on display at the Galt until February 11, 2024.
For the past decade, Theatre Outré has become known for boundary-pushing theatrical productions, eccentric events, and unwavering devotion to Southern Alberta’s 2SLGBTQ+ community. With a mandate to produce queer theatre, Outré regularly produces shows meant to represent all aspects of queer life – from intimate explorations of familial relationships to reimagined tales of queer resistance.
“Queer history, especially outside larger urban centres, is often assumed to not exist, especially in the prairies,” explains guest curator Jason Ranaghan. “But that’s just not the case—queer people find each other and build communities everywhere, including Lethbridge. That history is worthy of being told.”
Gomorrah Inc. Performance Photo, 2023.
Image courtesy Theatre Outré
Through a combination of archival research, newspaper articles and oral history interviews, this exhibition examines how drag performance, improvisational theatre, thrifty design and chosen family are at the cornerstone of Theatre Outré. Ranaghan’s passion for Canadian queer history as an undergraduate student in the Art History and Museum Studies program at the University of Lethbridge played an essential role in the development of this exhibition.
“Having the opportunity to represent this community using the skills I’ve developed in school has been a dream come true,” Ranaghan explains. During his internship at the Galt, Ranaghan has had the opportunity to work hands-on with art collections, gain experience with exhibit installation and design, and undertake original research.
“It’s always fantastic when students have the opportunity to follow their passions and create new experiences for the community,” explains Tyler Stewart, curator for the Galt Museum & Archives. “Working with Jason has been a pleasure and it’s clear that this exhibition has been a labour of love for him.”
Castrati; An Electro Drag Opera, 2015.
Image courtesy Jaime Vedres Photography
Ranaghan spent a great deal of time building relationships with Theatre Outré, attending performances and events, and conducting interviews with key members of the theatre company. “Outré truly welcomed me into their home – without their willingness to share their stories with me, this exhibition would not have been possible,” explains Ranaghan.
“After ten beautiful years of creating queer art in this unlikely location, it became clear to us that what we have accomplished is well worth celebrating and documenting,” says Theatre Outré co-founder, Jay Whitehead. “We are thrilled that the Museum has agreed to share this exceptionally curated retrospective of our little chosen family and what we have built together over a decade with our local queer community.”
Within the heart of the prairies, Theatre Outré has been able to carve out a space for a thriving alternative theatre scene where queer expression and nonconformity are celebrated. Through theatre productions, events, and improv shows, Theatre Outré has given the queer community and their allies a place to go where they know they will find community, belonging and incredible entertainment.
"We are thrilled to see this exhibit come together which documents the first decade of Outré's performance history,” says Lorraine Hebert, Board Chair for Theatre Outré. “The Board is looking forward to working with our new Artistic Director and the rest of the team to give Southern Alberta another decade of ground-breaking theatre."
Celebrate with us by visiting Acting Out: Celebrating a Decade of Theatre Outré, on display now at the Galt Museum & Archives | Akaisamitohkanao’pa (eternal gathering place) until February 11, 2024.
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This media release can be found at www.galtmuseum.com/news.
Media Contacts
Tyler Stewart (he/him)
I’nákyaahkioohsínaa (Little Boat Man/Water Traveler)
Curator
tyler.stewart@galtmuseum.com
403.329.3907