"Every day is a new, exciting challenge. I am having a great time doing it, but it is a challenge."

Anita Smith has been creating live theatre for nearly 30 years. She is the Executive and Artistic Director of the 25th Street Theatre Company and loves providing Saskatchewan artists the opportunity to tell their stories and showcase their skills.

The company's latest production, however, is pushing Anita and her team to their limits.

Behind Closed Doors takes people to six different sites across Saskatoon to explore unseen conversations and gives them a chance to experience in a performance in a unique venue specific to the story. Each play is 20 minutes, has limited capacity (we're talking 6-8 people per venue), and will no doubt make the impression on audience members.

Anita and 25th Street Theatre is committed to supporting Saskatchewan playwrights and Behind Closed Doors is giving six playwrights the chance to share their voices with our community.

I am a huge fan of Anita as an artist and a person, and any opportunity to talk with her on the podcast is one that I will take. She graciously took time in-between her many duties to speak with me on the University of Saskatchewan campus to tell listeners about Behind Closed Doors and why people will never forget watching a play in a bathroom!

Here are the six plays and their locations in Saskatoon, and you can purchase tickets on the 25th Street Theatre website.

• Historical “Friends” by Kaydence Banga. At The Senator Hotel. Directed by Jennifer Brewin.
• Fallen Women by Marley Duckett. In Kirk Hall, USASK. Directed by Pamela Haig Bartley.
• Hiring by Mitchell Larsen. At The Two Twenty. Directed by Murray Utas.
• First On, Last Off by Clare Middleton. On a bus at Louis’ Pub, USASK. Directed by Pamela Haig Bartley.
• Another Day on the Diamond by Drew Mantyka. At Gordie Howe Sports Complex. Directed by Murray Utas
• This Is It by Cheyenna Sapp. At Louis’ Pub, USASK. Directed by Jennifer Brewin

Thank you for continuing to support a local, independent podcast!

Cheers...Eric

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis