Each month the Kamloops Arts Council profiles a different member or donor, so that you can get to know the diverse and talented community that makes up the KAC. This month we feature Andrew Cooper.
How long have you been involved with the Kamloops Arts Council?
I’ve been involved with the Kamloops Arts Council since the summer of 2014.
Why did you get involved?
I believe that arts deserves a place at the forefront of the community and the Kamloops Arts Council is not only a wonderful organization to support, it does a wonderful job of supporting artists.
Tell us about your artwork:
I am an actor, director, choreographer and playwright based out of Kamloops. As an actor, I’ve worked with companies such as Tranquille Tunnel Tours, Project X Theatre, Western Canada Theatre and Caravan Farm Theatre. Most recently, I performed as Guy of Gisbourne in The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, Shakespeare in The Shakespeare Show (Project X Theatre) and Tony Robb in Crossroads (Tranquille Tunnel Tours). I’ve acted in everything from comedies to drama, musicals, performance pieces and almost everything in between. As a choreographer, I work at The Academy of Dance, where I won two awards for Outstanding Choreography last year, with a focus on Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Contemporary. My choreography has also been seen on the stages of Project X Theatre, Thompson Rivers University’s Actors Workshop Theatre and Western Canada Theatre’s Stage One Theatre School. As a director I have a particular interest in non-verbal narratives and exploring how to communicate storytelling with movement. As a playwright I enjoy writing speculative fiction for the stage and tackel contemporary societal issues under the guise of comedy and satire.
What are you looking forward to this upcoming year? A special show or project you’re working on?
My most recent play SuperZeroes opens on March 9th at the Pavilion Theatre and I am very excited to have more of my work performed in Kamloops. The show is set in an alternative earth where superpowers are growing increasingly common but a divide is beginning to form between humans with powers and humans without powers. I am also penning a script that will be performed at Sun Peaks this summer titled Knights of the Sun: Medieval Tournament Theatre that will involve creating an entire medieval tournament!
Why is it important to support the arts?
The arts are the soul of a community. They educate our youth, they explore the world we live in and they expand the minds of those who view them. The arts are a way of seeking out the past and paving the way for the future.
What would you say to someone who’s considering becoming a member with the Kamloops Arts Council?
Do it! It’s a great way to stay connected to the local arts community!
Recent Comments