Nothing like ending the day off with an ice cream cone! 🍦// enjoyed the festivities of the Fringe, especially all the food truck fun & a treat from the Mean Green Ice Cream Machine 🌿 #yxefringe #canadianblogger #yxeevents #yxe #fringefest #foodie #yxefoodtrucks #fashionblogger (at The Broadway Theatre)

Off to the Fringe today I went yesterday for an hour or so but is started to rain 🌧. Repost @visitsaskatoon ・・・ A little #tbthursday to the #yxefringe last year. This year’s festival runs from August 2nd to 11th and turns Broadway Avenue into a cavalcade of performers, food, theatre and ... did we mention food? @yxefringe . #sask #saskatoon #saskatooning #theatre #fringefest #festivals #festivalseason #summer #summer2018 #yxe #yxephotography #travelgram #doyoutravel #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #beautifuldestinations #wanderlust #worldtraveler #travelbug #instatravel #travelbloggers #travelblogging #instapassport #bloggersofinstagram #thattravelblog (at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmHQxEYBWD-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hnnry6ypg60h

Taking a break from renos on a rainy day to work on some quirky homemade cards for the Fringe #yxeartist #you'reagoodegg #slightlycracked #yxefringe #greetingcards #cathijohnstonart

Had a swell time at the @yxefringe #photography #photo #3D #homestead #homesteadicecream #saskatoon #glitch #glitch4ndroid #glitchart #yxe #yxefringe (at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)

Getting to rehearse in a thunderstorm is exhilirating ❤ #yxefringe #imaginationstation #kidsfringe

A children’s show that was ten years in the making! I first wrote this show for Off Broadway Children’s Theatre and it became a much beloved classic within my friend group. Interpretive dance, inept heroes, even more inept villains, and a trio of rhyming pixies rounded out the silliness. 

Six months ago, I dove back into the fray and started reworking the script. The cast has been integral to the process as we worked together to refine it and infuse it with even more fun. The result is a wacky space ride that will be blast for all ages! 

I suppose the only question that remains is. . . what is it about me and Within Theatre that keeps doing light-hearted romps through outer space for the whole family to enjoy?

Warped Vinyl at the Fringe!!! Cool stuff made from vinyl records! #yxefringe #warpedvinyl #supportlocal.

So that thing that looks like a fly is now a permanent part of my camera lens 🙃. New art 2016! #113 #yabish #buellcat #yxe #yxeart #art #sask #saskatchewan #saskatoon #canada #sk #yxefringe #yxearts #fern #saskatoonfringe (at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)

We are celebrating #eeveeday today down at the #yxefringe ! Last day of the #fringefestival, so come down and #supportthearts :) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmWWcEfgrUh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qdy7f40q2itk

Weekends are made for ice cream! 🌴// this fun little post is up on the blog with some yummy @meangreenicm waffle cones - link in bio! #icecream #yxefringe #yxeevents #foodtruck #canadianblogger #foodie (at Broadway Bridge)

Taking a break from renos on a rainy day to work on some quirky homemade cards for the Fringe #yxeartist #you'reagoodegg #slightlycracked #yxefringe #greetingcards #cathijohnstonart

Saskatoon fringe hoy, número dos. Come check out Broadway Ave! #113 #yabish #buellcat #yxe #yxeart #art #sask #saskatchewan #saskatoon #canada #sk #paint #spraypaint #mtn #montanacans #artist #relax #saskatoonfringe #yxefringe #yxearts (at Broadway Avenue)

Happiness is ice cream! 🍭// sister dates in the summer with @lindakie100 🙌🏼 #yxefringe #canadianblogger #sisters #foodie #yxeevents #fashionblogger #summernails #festivalseason (at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)

Taking a break from renos on a rainy day to work on some quirky homemade cards for the Fringe #yxeartist #you'reagoodegg #slightlycracked #yxefringe #greetingcards #cathijohnstonart

Art can change your life. Here is how it changed mine.

Today, on August 1st, 2016, I saw a play that may have changed my life forever. It filled me with determination and with hope to create art that touches people the way this touched me. Its really brought me to realize where I want this art form to take me. I don't care if it's on a famous scale, as long as I am conveying the messages that people need/want to hear. I want the messages of the world to be heard, and to channel them through the only and most powerful way I know: Theatre. Acting. I want peoples words that they spend so much time on, and put so much life into to really become more than just words. I want them to touch people, to inspire people, to really give them a sense of belonging, purpose, and to show the world that there is so much more to explore. All of this sounds so cheesy and cliche but I really do want this. The Narrow Path was conveying a message about not lying about who you are, that there is so much good in people, and about trusting in yourself to find which path is meant to be yours, and how it effects others. In talking about all these things through the life and memories of a Pastor who is battling with his homosexuality, they are showing the world that all love is accepted, and what needs to be accepted the most is love for others and love for yourself. I have always had that love, and always felt this crazy desire to do more through my theatre. I want to go to great heights not because I want to get to the top, but because I want to take the ride and fulfill the life I know I was meant to drive. I want to bring others on this journey who want to take me there. I want to have people around me that feel this, people who want to act and make these changes, people that are willing to do whatever it takes to push themselves as far as they can go because they know that they are capable of it. I need to help people grow and shine like people will help me. I see so many artists doing what they do for all the wrong reasons. I see people taking a thing that can be a thing of beauty and regurgitating it into something that no longer has meaning. I want to be reasonable, and take this art form farther than it can go. I want to be revolutionary, without being too preachy. I will do what I need to to acheive these goals no matter how far. I will never give up on what this art form means to me, thus taking that and giving this feeling to others. I want to inspire others in my words, to do what I am doing now. I will bring theirs this want and need of fulfillment. In finding myself through theatre and through this act of creation I aim to show people that their life can have the purpose they want. Whatever that may be, I want to inspire people to really find who they are through whatever form necesarry. I know that can only bring people closer together and to themselves, and I want to be a part of this crazy act of creation. I want to give my all and my whole life to this. Earlier this year, I read a book called Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig. In this book he spoke of his life battling depression and finding himself through writing and battling his demons by essentially creating them into ficticious works that he can then combat. It showed me that all of our demons are with us every day, and that we can never defeat them; but we can battle them with our strengths and with who we are. My demons lie in being too analytical of myself and what others think. It lies in being more self assured, and supporting my own ideas no matter how small. A lot of the people who know me know that that is a huge part of who am I am already, but not to myself. I am assured in a lot of my dispositions, when explaining them to other people. When I try to justify anything to myself though, I simply remain clouded by my own judgements. I should take more time to write things down, assure myself of what I really mean. Take my goals and strive for them rather than waiting around for that to happen. When I act, my entire goal is to take those words that someone write, and give them meaning. Give them a message to convey. Writers put so much hard work and soul and a part of themselves into every line and every phrase and all of them deserve to have those pieces of their heart shown for the way they are meant to be. All I want, is to achieve that. The act of creating is a tedious, heartbreaking, and maybe even exquisite resemblance of society. All I need is to take that act, and work with it to prove to the world that there is more to the act of creating than just shooting a film, or writing a book or a play. It is about self discovery, touching others and giving the world the message it needs to hear. This was the message I heard tonight. I will never forget it.

-Erica Hartman

final Show

Our final show is about 13 hours away. What a wild ride this has been. We have mumbled at the universe, visited the stars, and explored other planets. We have met strange and diverse new lifeforms, and still only scratched the surface of a vast and awesome cosmos.

Join us one last time as we gaze up from this pale blue dot and stare with curiosity and wonder at the sky. Listen to us mumble one last time.