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In
1967, to celebrate Canada’s 100th birthday, a very successful touring
show featuring well-known Saskatchewan performers was produced. Because of the
enthusiastic response, the government initiated the Saskatchewan Talent Program
in the performing arts. A year-long search for talent was held in order to find
Saskatchewan performers to become part of a touring show.
The
program was initiated in 1974 and held on a biennial basis. Because of
insufficient funds, selected artists toured on an individual basis as part of
“Saskatchewan Artists on Tour” rather than as part of a touring show. The
program continued in this manner for several years with the Talent Hunt
concluding in a gala stage show in the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts judged by
such luminaries in the entertainment world as Dinah Christie, Norman MacLaren
and Tommy Banks.
SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS
got on track in 1980, as a
program of the Diamond Jubilee Corporation, to tour the province and celebrate
the 75th anniversary of Saskatchewan. Founded by Carol Gay Bell,
General Manager and Artistic Director of SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS, the group
was known as “Saskatchewan’s Greatest Little Travelling Birthday Party”. In
2005, SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS celebrates its 25th birthday as the
only “living legacy” of the provincial 75th anniversary, still under
the helm of Carol Gay Bell.
In
1983, Saskatchewan Lotteries was asked to contribute funding to the group and
they have been a major supporter ever since. The group was named
SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS in 1983 by a then-member of the troupe because of
the association with the Lotteries. From a summer touring group, SASKATCHEWAN
EXPRESS has grown into a major youth theatre company with a Summer Tour,
Winter Tour, School Tour and December production in the MacKenzie Art Gallery in
Regina, an association that has existed for 15 years.
In
1997, SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS opened a Musical Theatre Studio in Regina to
educate young performers ages 5 to 19 in the performing arts and in the fall of
2000 a Musical Theatre Studio was opened in Saskatoon. There are approximately
500 students in the Studios.
SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS
has been a stepping-stone
into the world of professional entertainment for many former performers. You
will find SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS performers on Broadway, in theatrical
presentations around the world, on cruise lines, in film, television and
recording. Many of the behind-the-scenes personnel are involved in theatre as
well including Globe Theatre in Regina and theatres in Vancouver and Prince
Albert. SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS is extremely proud that the official
Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 song was written by former performer Stan
Garchinski, originally from Naicam, now of Saskatoon.
In its
27-year history, SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS has performed for more than two
million people and traveled close to 300,000 kilometres. The troupe has proudly
been a musical ambassador for Saskatchewan at major events across the country
and has represented Canada at events in the United States. The group has
traveled extensively in Saskatchewan and has given the people of this province a
reason to be proud of our talented young people and of what we can accomplish
right here in Saskatchewan.
Originally a program of the provincial government, on April 1, 1994,
SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS became a registered not-for-profit corporation with a
Board of Directors. SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS also is a registered charitable
organization.
As a
non-profit cultural organization, SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS raises 65 percent
of its annual budget. SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS has been fortunate to attract
corporate sponsors that include Canada Life, Credit Union Central, Great West
Life, London Life, Royal Bank, SGI, SaskEnergy, Saskatchewan Parks and
Recreation Association, SaskTel and Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. Currently, our
presenting sponsors is SaskPower and of course, our major supporter is
Saskatchewan Lotteries.
SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS
is recognized across the country for the excellent entertainment if provides for
people of all ages and for the committed and talented performers that have come
through this organization.
SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS
CELEBRATING 27 YEARS
SHOWCASING
SASKATCHEWAN STARS OF TOMORROW!
HIGHLIGHTS OF SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS PERFORMANCES 1980 - 2005
* The
visit of the Duke and Duchess of York to Saskatchewan Place
*Canada Day Celebrations - Parliament Hill, Ottawa
* 1998 United Way International Convention with Roger Moore, Regina
*
Canadian Consulate "Showcase Canada" - Minneapolis & Des Moines
*
Festival by the Sea in St. John New Brunswick
* Du
Maurier Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
* Music
'91 throughout British Columbia
*
Ameriflora '92 - Columbus, Ohio
*
Expo'86 in Vancouver
*
Winterlude in Ottawa
* West
Edmonton Mall
*
Saskatoon Ronald McDonald House 10th anniversary
* World
Congress on Economies
* The
Brier in Chicoutimi, Quebec
* Royal
Manitoba Winter Fair - Brandon, Manitoba
*
Saskatchewan Roughrider Hall of Fame Dinner
*
Commonwealth Secretaries' Convention
* 29th
Annual Premiers' Conference
*
Telemiracle – Regina & Saskatoon
* The
Calgary Stampede
*
CANPRO Awards for Canadian private television stations
* Grand
Opening of MacKenzie Art Gallery - Regina
* Jeux
Canada Games in Cape Breton, Kamloops, Saint John, Saskatoon,
* World
Youth Baseball Championships in Kindersley
* American Federation of Musicians Conference, Craven
* Canadian Lakehead Exhibition, Thunder Bay, ON
* Big Valley Jamboree, Craven
*
Canadian Western Agribition
* Farm
Progress Show, Regina
*
Health and Welfare Canada Conference, Saskatoon
*
International Economic Development & Cooperatives Conference, Regina
*
Canadian Parks and Recreation Conference, Regina
*
Catholic Women's League of Canada Conference, Regina
* CUTA
Annual Conference and National Bus Rodeo, Regina
*
Canadian Capital Cities Conference, Regina
* Saskatchewan Centre of
the Arts 25th Anniversary, Regina
* 1995 & 2003 Grey Cup Half-Time Show & Parade
* R.C.M.P. 125th Anniversary Gala, Regina
*
Medical Group Management Association of Canada Conference, Saskatoon
*
Canadian Community Newspapers Association Conference, Saskatoon
*
International Music Camp Music Series, International Peace Garden
*
Canadian Parks and Recreation Association National Conference
* Rocky
Mountains Fairs & Exhibitions Showcase, Boise, ID
*
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference
* Minot Home
and Garden Show, North Dakota
* World Oil
Congress, Spruce Meadows, Alberta
* SaskCentennial 2005 Launch, Yorkton
* Klondike
Days, Edmonton, Alberta
* SUMA 100th
Anniversary Celebrations
Plus performances at:
Arcola, The Battlefords,
Brandon, MB, Canora, Carlyle, Carnduff, Carrot River, Churchbridge,
Clear Lake,
MB, Cypress Hills,
Davidson, Duck Mountain, Earl Grey, Eastend, Echo Valley,
Esterhazy, Estevan,
Fond du Lac, Good Spirit Lake, Gravelbourg,
Greenwater, Gull Lake, Humboldt,
Indian Head, Isle a la Crosse, Invermay,
Kindersley, Lac la Ronge, Langenburg, Lloydminister,
Makwa, Maryfield, Meadow Lake, Melfort, Melville, Moose Jaw, Moose Mountain,
Nipawin, Pike Lake,
Preeceville, Prince Albert,
Raymore, Redvers, Regina, Rocanville, Rosthern, Saltcoats,
Saskatchewan Landing,
Saskatoon, Shaunavon, Shell Lake, Spiritwood,
Stoughton, Sturgis,
Swift Current, Tisdale, Uranium City, Vegreville, AB,
Wollaston Lake, Weyburn, Winnipeg, MB,
Yorkton and many more.
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