Kamloops artists adapt acts for pandemic, hope for return to live events

Before COVID-19, Kneeshaw would often perform live shows in Kamloops and beyond. While he is still performing, those events have taken on a different form.

“I’ve had a lot of online events, which have been fun and a little bit scary because it’s always different playing for a camera than playing for a crowd.”

In addition to those virtual events, Kneeshaw has built a recording studio, where he has been composing music for film. But, he dreams of using the studio to help other young artists.

“I plan to be as busy as I can be as soon as we can get people in here and full bands and that sort of thing,” Kneeshaw said.

Orchestra musicians have also had to adapt through the pandemic. The Kamloops Symphony has had to slim down its orchestra due to spacing requirements.

“Our core musicians have been working the whole season,” said Executive Director Daniel Mills, “but unfortunately there’s been a lot of freelance musicians that we would normally hire that have not been able to join us this season.”

The orchestra is still putting on the same number of concerts as any other year, only completely online.

“Our ticketing revenues are about 10 per cent of what they would normally be with our digital productions,” Mills said. “So, there was a huge drop there, but on top of that we have been very grateful to receive emergency funding through the Canada Council of the Arts, BC Arts Council as well, of course, the wage subsidy.”

Western Canada Theatre is currently holding an event called Remergence. The ticketed online event provides an opportunity for artists to get paid for their work, something many have struggled to find throughout the pandemic.

“This is your career, this is what you’ve dedicated your life to, developing your skills, to going to school, all of this, and you work in an industry that just doesn’t exist right now,” explained WCT’s Kirk Smith.

Smith is an actor himself, but he’s now playing a new role as Interim Marketing and Communications Director. He knows other actors that have had to find new jobs to stay afloat.

“Of course there are people who have had to make major life changes and may not come back and that’s really too bad,” Smith said.

While the stage door is currently closed, artists are eager to return to the work they’re passionate about.

It’s hoped audiences will return in droves when the lights come up on the next live performance.

by Jill Sperling

Kamloops artists adapt acts for pandemic, hope for return to live events

Our Community