A local theatre company is enjoying a moment in the limelight after recently celebrating its first anniversary.
Hood and Dagger Productions launched in January 2024 and made its mark during its inaugural season.
Husband-and-wife duo Crystal and Brian Hood founded the volunteer-run theatre company following an unforgettable experience on stage together. After the pandemic, Crystal had found herself feeling a bit lost without a clear sense of purpose. When Brian noticed that Holy Hams community theatre in Selkirk was holding auditions for M.A.S.H. — one of Crystal’s favourite shows — they decided to try out. Crystal was elated when both got parts, and her mood suddenly lifted along with the curtain.
“It was just transformational. It was a like a second family. My faith in humanity was completely restored, as well as my self-confidence and sense of purpose,” Crystal said.
“I felt like I wanted to bottle that feeling and give it to every single Winnipegger.”
So they took the plunge, combined their strengths and started their own not-for-profit theatre company. Crystal brings to the role her MBA education and operational expertise. She excels in marketing, booking venues and dealing with all the nitty-gritty details. Meanwhile, Brian holds degrees in both commerce and theatre, with skills in directing, play selection and theatrical know-how.
“It was the perfect combination of skill sets,” Crystal said. “We’ve had so much support and interest from the community.”
With a vision to “build community through community theatre,” Hood and Dagger Productions brought together nearly 75 volunteers in its first year to serve as the cast, crew and front-of-house team. At the same time, they partnered with local businesses and musicians — and they even donated more than $7,100 to local charities.
True to its community-minded approach, Hood and Dagger also provided free tickets to organizations that work with people who might face barriers to interacting with the arts.
For the Hoods, community theatre is more than just a show; it’s a community event. It’s important to them to provide a safe and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and experience levels.
“We want to make ourselves approachable to those from socio-economic disadvantaged communities, so there’s no membership fee to be in the cast or crew and no experience is required,” Crystal said.
In January, they undertook a demographic survey that shows a diverse population of participants got involved with Hood and Dagger during its first year, including those who self-identify as Indigenous (9%), those who self-identify as a person living with a disability (22%) and newcomers who have lived in Winnipeg for less than two years (18%). This diversity also extends to other racial origins, gender identities and gender expressions.
In addition, everyone who took the survey, who range in age from 18 to 65-plus, agreed or strongly agreed that participation in the arts can have positive mental health benefits.
In their first season, they staged three shows: Journey to the Center of the Earth, And Then There Were None and Gossip, which runs from March 13 to 16 at Gas Station Arts Theatre. Tickets cost $25 apiece for the film noir-inspired production by award-winning Canadian playwright George F. Walker, and they’re available through the Hood and Dagger website at www.HoodandDagger.ca. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Harvest Manitoba.
Musicians Robin Strangl and Tom Brooks will provide entertainment before the show, which is sponsored by Dave’s Quick Print, Bookstore Brewing and Safeway. In addition, Bookstore Brewing, High Tea Bakery and Whodunit? Mystery Bookstore will have booths set up in the lobby.
The excitement continues to build since they’ll be announcing the three-show 2025-26 season later this month.
Looking back on their first year, Crystal is thankful for the support they received from the community and the season’s sponsors Palliser Furniture, Johnston Group, Winnipeg Kinsmen and Assiniboine Credit Union. She’s also grateful for the advice they gleaned from World Trade Centre Winnipeg when they were first getting started.
“Paul at the WTC Winnipeg provided me with fantastic support, advice and guidance in our early days, including valuable market research, informative resources and guidance on business start-ups. When starting a business, you don’t know what you don’t know, and Paul provided essential and illuminating information that helped us have the best start possible,” Crystal said.
“As a result, we were able to have significant impact and outreach and realize our mandate to ‘Build Community through Community Theatre’ right out of the gate in our first year of operation.”
Now that they’re gearing up for their second season, Crystal suggests that everyone to stay tuned for audition information.
“We encourage people to sign up for our newsletter,” she said. “That way, they can be the first to find out about our audition calls, the shows and other opportunities to get involved.”
To learn more about Hood and Dagger, visit www.HoodandDagger.ca.
