Ian Fraser, thespian and sculptor, engages patrons in participatory art – the art of storytelling!
By Ricarda McFalls
During the run of Always a Bridesmaid, our very own Ian Fraser, Ottawa Little Theatre’s multi-talented Client Services Manager (Actor, Stage Manager, Assistant Director, and Accent Coach) displayed additional artistic talents, including his love for sculpture. While enjoying the work of others, Ian took up sculpture as a creative outlet during his divorce 20 years ago, taking courses at the Ottawa School of Art. The pandemic gave him extra time to use his hands and hone his skills further, with emphasis on human form.
“I love engaging with our patrons! Everyone is here for an experiential evening! Bringing people in is what makes OLT so special.” - Ian Fraser
While much of the exhibit focused on his handcrafted ceramic and porcelain sculptures, Ian’s greatest joy was in engaging patrons in participatory art — and particularly, crafting stories from multiple hands! Each evening before the show, Ian would draft the opening line of a new story, and patrons were encouraged to unleash their creativity and add lines to the stories.
One winning example with six participants:
“The deadline was approaching before she had (opening line)…any hope of finishing the manuscript. She would need to dispose of the body later. But for now..it was time for afternoon tea with her dear friend. The Scones were fresh out of the oven and the tea was strong and they both made a point to ignore the corpse lying in the middle of the drawing room rug. I don’t think anyone will miss him, at least not until the weekend. But he and his mother had made a date to have tea, and she was waiting for him. Looking up, he agreed and asked for one lump with it. Generously, she gave him two.”
I have always seen Ian in serious action keeping the OLT house in order. But a whole other man lit up during the exhibit and story-writing exercise. Asked about his passion, Ian responded: “I love engaging with our patrons! Everyone is here for an experiential evening! Bringing people in is what makes OLT so special.”
