PTE Shines a Spotlight on Emerging Local Artists

Prairie Theatre Exchange (PTE) and Manitoba Music are teaming up to add some live local music to PTE's playbill this season. PTE will be pairing emerging Manitoba singer/songwriters with their Leap Series—which presents plays that push the boundaries of story-telling in theatre—bringing a bit of extra performance to the stage. Theatre-goers will be able to stick around after the show, enjoy a beverage, and absorb the play while taking in some tunes. 

PTE will kick the series off this month with Mitchell James. Hailing from the outskirts of Winnipeg, James is a roots/pop artist who began his career writing songs in his bedroom at the age of 18 and hasn't looked back. He's been featured on recordings by fellow locals Del Barber, Cassidy Mann, and more. His latest EP, The Spark, was produced by Winnipeg's own Ariel Posen and backed by the members of JUNO Award-winning outfit  The Bros. Landreth, and showcases a collection of pop, soul and rock songs are sure to warm the heart and inspire the soul.

James will be getting in front of the mic on November 30 after Tetsuro Shigematsu's original, multi-media presentation, Empire of the Son. From the ashes of Hiroshima to modern-day Vancouver, the play is a funny, emotional portrayal of fathers and sons. Former CBC broadcaster Tetsuro and his emotionally remote father, Akira, shared the same profession, communicating with millions, but not with each other. When Akira’s health begins to falter in his old age, Tetsuro bridges the gap between them with the only object they both understood: a microphone. 

Stay tuned for more music + theatre in the spring with Finding Wolastoq Voice (March 22) and How it Ends (April 19). 

PTE is offering an exclusive discount to Manitoba Music; check out theweekly member enews on November 14 for details.