Jen Barson, Marnie Jutzi and Trevor Middleton in Marjorie Prime
Evelyn, Tania, Denise, Hayley and Olivia
Jen Barson, Marnie Jutzi and Trevor Middleton in Marjorie Prime
Small stage, big performances
COMING SOON
It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
adapted by Joe Landry
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is based on the story ‘The Greatest Gift’ by Philip Van Doren Stern.
Directed by Paul Barson
Starring Tim Clarke, Laura Gilmore, Justin Reid, Jen Barson, Trevor Smith Diggins and Deborah Neve
This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.
“One of the best holiday shows around. This is a fresh and inventive way of reconnecting with a classic story of love and redemption.” —Chicago Sun-Times.
“A well-loved tale told with style, charm and a heart so big it could burst the ribcage of the harshest Grinch…A fresh theatrical context that creates just the right kind of retro warmth. If you cry every time you see the movie, you’ll be blubbering away right on cue...Guaranteed.” —Chicago Tribune.
WHO IS THE DTP?
THE DTP
Four Guelph theatre artists decided to extend their craft outside of the traditional theatrical experiences and into The Making-Box, a small but spectacular comedy and improv club on Cork Street in downtown Guelph. Trevor Smith Diggins, Tim Clarke and husband and wife duo Jen and Paul Barson make up The Downtown Theatre Project, a multi-talented team of actors, directors, producers, writers, musicians and art-lovers.
Now, with the Making-Box theatre closed, DTP puts on shows at the Red Brick Café on Douglas Street.
Check out some of DTP's past work here.
TREVOR
Trevor Smith Diggins is an actor, director and producer for the Downtown Theatre Project (DTP). In 2019, he played Martin in DTP’s The Goat and directed two shows: God of Carnage and The Other Place. Outside DTP, Trevor has been a local theatrical force for many decades as an actor, director, producer, adjudicator and workshop leader. An alumnus of the Theatre Ontario Talent Bank, he has directed numerous award-winning shows, and earned a total of eight awards for Best Actor. His best times onstage have included The Elephant Man (Guelph Little Theatre), COSI (Downright Productions), DineHer (RealSpaceTheatre), The Dresser (Cambridge), Self-Help (Elora), and Harvest (Elmira).
More info on Trevor
TIM
Tim Clarke is an actor, director, playwright and educator from Guelph. Past directing credits include The Drowsy Chaperone (Guelph Little Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof (River Run Centre), Cabaret (War Memorial Hall) and The Short Tree and the Bird That Could Not Sing (George Luscombe Theatre). Tim is the founder of Fledgling Theatre for Young People, a drama education program for children ages 8-13.
JEN
Jen Barson is an award-winning actor, producer, director and one of the four owners of The Downtown Theatre Project. Her passion for theatre was born in high school where she first performed as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. Founder of the Guelph Film Office, Jen is also a board member of the Guelph Fringe Festival and Royal City Musical Productions. Her DTP credits include directing Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche and Collective Rage: A Play In Five Betties and starring in Bug and The Goat. Although many roles were special to Jen, her highlight role as the lead in Shirley Valentine, the one-woman show, tops the list.
PAUL
Paul Barson has been in the Guelph theatre scene for over 10 years now, starting as an actor and more recently moving into Producing and Directing. Paul has directed DTP's An Act Of God and All New People and starred in God Of Carnage. Paul currently sits on the board of the Guelph Arts Council. Paul is also the front man for Burlington country-rock outfit, The Vanishers. Paul's highlight performance was when he played John McCrae in the City of Guelph's production of A Night In Flanders.