Locally-owned theatre group Experience Theatre is running its debut show, 'I Hear Abel Singin' in the Field', written by Jess Syratt, beginning on April 21, 2024. (Photo: Experience Theatre)

By Christian Oldale

Locally owned Experience Theatre set for debut show

Apr 15, 2024 | 3:48 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A new theatre company is looking to make a big splash on its opening weekend in Lethbridge.

Experience Theatre is a locally-run company, and they are premiering a show this weekend at CASA. The show is called I Hear Abel Singin’ in the Field, created by Jess Syratt, a Lethbridge local and recent graduate from the University of Lethbridge.

Syratt described her show as “A love story to Still Stands the House, meets the biblical Cain and Abel.”

She spoke on the inspiration for the show.

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The company describes the show as “When two brothers come to odds and end in the middle of a prairie field, the blood boils and he who has sinned first throws the stone”

Syratt began writing the play a couple of years ago while she was a student at U of L, which is where Experience Theatre’s owner and founder Jesse Thibert Bear Child read it. After both of them had graduated from the U of L, Bear Child approached Syratt about adapting it for the new theatre company.

I Hear Abel Singin’ in the Field marks the debut play for Experience Theatre, which was just recently formed in late 2023. The company has set a goal to produce over 100 original and unique productions in Lethbridge and Southern Alberta.

Bear Child highlighted the importance of highlighting local talents in the industry, “We have more than enough talent to run our shows, people should be inspired by their neighbours, friends, community members. You don’t have to be from Toronto or Vancouver, you don’t have to go there.”

He further explained how much he values original storytelling.

I Hear Abel Singin’ in the Field makes its debut at CASA on Sunday, April 21 at 2:30 p.m. It will then be followed by other performances on April 22, 24 and 25, all at 7:00 p.m.

“I hope that people get that classic catharsis out of it.”, Syratt added.

Tickets for the show can be purchased at the Experience Theatre website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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