QNetNews.ca Theatre artists to show off their crafty side

Jana Busse, one of the vendors attending the theatre artists show and sale event Friday, Sept. 24.

Jana Busse showing off some of her knitwear, which will be displayed at the theatre artists show and sale event Saturday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the courtyard between the library and Pinnacle Playhouse. Photo by Ashley Clark

By Ashley Clark ^[1]

BELLEVILLE – Members of the Belleville Theatre Guild ^[2] have more than just theatrical talent.

This Saturday, the guild will be holding a theatre artists show and sale event between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the courtyard between the Belleville Public Library ^[3] and Pinnacle Playhouse. (If it rains, the event will be moved to the green room inside the playhouse.)

There will be eight vendors selling homemade products, organizer Lise Lindenberg said. Artistic demonstrations of painting and pottery, and tours of the theatre will also be going on.

“It’s an unusual selection of art because there’s different styles and something for everybody,” Lindenberg said.

She is a drama teacher at Centennial Secondary School and is no stranger to the theatre guild.

“I’ve been volunteering at the theatre since I was in high school myself. Once you catch the theatre bug, it’s hard to get rid of it,” said Lindenberg.

The idea for the event came from getting to know everyone at the theatre, she said.

“Three years ago when I heard about culture days ^[4], I thought, you know, there’s all these people at the theatre guild who are so special. Like, they’re so gifted in so many different ways: they’re actors, and set painters, and they make costumes…” said Lindenberg.

“I guess I just knew that these people had these talents and it made sense to showcase them.”

There is no cost for vendors, apart from having a theatre guild membership, and they get to keep any profits they make that day.

“We have one person who makes knitted hats and beautiful scarves and stuff, so that’s her small business. So, when she’s not acting onstage she’s making knitwear,” Lindenberg said.

The actress Lindenberg was referring to is Jana Busse.

Busse said she got involved with the theatre guild two years ago without having ever taken drama or music.

“I only knew the theatre as a member of the audience,” she said.

Now Busse said she’s done everything from taking tickets and running concession to backstage work and acting.

This will be her first time doing the theatre artists show and sale event.

“When I started volunteering I didn’t expect to be able to display some of my knitwear,” Busse said.

People will find accessories including scarves, mittens, hats, socks and shawls at her stand, ranging from about $20 to $60.

“Christmas is coming. It’s an opportunity to buy gifts I guess if you wanna look that far ahead. But I’m sure people will probably find something they want for themselves, or for people they know,” Busse said.

Artists

Jana Busse (actress, house): knitwear
Nathan Mahaffey (set painter, lighting, house): paintings
Cindy Lucas (house, stage manager): hand-hooked rugs
Amy-Lyn VanLondersele (actress, choreographer, singer): paintings, chalkboards, cookies in a jar
Angela McPherson (box office, sews costumes): soft sculptures
Perry Poupore (set painter): pottery
Brigitte Rittinger (house): quilts, runners, etc.
Lise Lindenberg (director, actress, set painter): paintings