Mission Statement
Our mission is to inspire and help individuals discover and embrace their artistic identity, fostering a collective sense of creativity that enriches and unites our regional communities.
Winnipeg River Arts is passionately dedicated to enhancing the North Eastman Region by providing support, empowerment, and connectivity through the arts
Services
WRAC looks forward to serving residents, visitors, artists and arts groups within the Winnipeg River corridor (east of Highway 11 and north of Highway 317). The region is culturally diverse and home to many talented artists and arts organizations that provide opportunities for arts and culture. WRAC’s regional structure will help community arts organizations, schools and recreation services work together to plan larger regional arts initiatives by facilitating the sharing of resources, information and talents. WRAC seeks to contribute to economic grow by promoting the region’s arts and cultural assets to residents and tourists.
Artist Of The Month
Featured Presentation – Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre – Issue #151
February 2025
Murder For Two
For this month, WRAC will share memories and information from Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s recent touring show. On February 23, at 1:30 p.m., the RMTC crew rolled up in a huge truck and a large minivan, both loaded to the hilt. The previous night, they’d presented their Arborg show, and were keen to stage the award-winning play, “Murder for Two” in the Lac du Bonnet Community Centre.
With assistance from volunteers, the crew swung into action and hauled in dozens of sand bags, boxes, bins, and miscellaneous gear. Then they began to assemble the intricate components of set, lighting, and sound systems. Local help included Stan Kelly, Cathy Gregg, Donna Besel, Mac Kinghorn, Jennifer Hudson Stewart and her kids, Hannah and Hudson, and Shelley Street and husband Tim. Joan Marion and husband Gary showed up to run the bar; Paul and Laraine Lussier assisted with setting up chairs. And the show needed many, many chairs.
Starring in-demand Winnipeg actors Melanie Whyte and Duncan Cox, “Murder for Two” offered its unique combination of perplexing murder mystery, witty songs, lively piano playing, antic physical comedy, and nonstop laughs. With Cox portraying Marcus, a small-town, newbie cop and Whyte portraying an assortment of 10 (or 11) sleazy suspects of varying culpability and a trio of strange child bystanders, the play zipped along at lightning speed.
As Kelly Thorton, RMTC’s artistic director, noted in the program, “a “two-hander” is one of the most difficult shows to produce.” And “Murder for Two” definitely upped the ante for this genre. Whyte’s quick switches from character to character – along with both actor’s comedy chops, dancing, singing, and musicianship – dazzled the audience.
