The set of Bob’s Your Elf is Liv’s most recent set design for Pine Tree Players.
When watching the Academy Awards have you ever wondered how celebs might reply if they were asked NOT — “what are you wearing?” BUT “how do you give back?”
If Pine Tree Players’ Liv Witkowski was in Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre waving her little gold man for her set designs, she’d have a lot to say. After all, since moving to Canmore a few years ago, she’s volunteered on nine sets for Pine Tree Players and was the lighting board operator for Loose Knit. She’s also been on the play recommendation committee for two years and is a volunteer community member on the town’s Cultural Advisory Committee.
Oh yes, did we mention Liv’s also a mum to a very active toddler and works as a technical designer for an experiential advertising agency? But why — after doing top-level technical design work for Disneyworld, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Norwegian Cruise Lines — did Liv choose to live in Canmore?
I grew up in Edmonton before moving to the States with my family when I was 10, but some of my fondest memories were the times I spent in Canmore and I always hoped to move back here, eventually.
Liv painting the set of I Was A Rat, June 2023 at the Stan Rogers Stage.
As for advice to anyone interested in pursuing a career in set design or technical direction, Liv says: “When I was younger, I thought that the only way to feel fulfilled was to find a career that directly aligned with my passion. After grad school (Liv has an MFA in technical direction from the University of Memphis), I was drawn to commercial scenery rather than regional theatre because it seemed like a more stable career choice, and I’m glad that I made that move in a lot of ways. I guess the advice is to remain flexible when pursuing opportunities.”
That said, if, like Liv, you find yourself in a new environment hungry to build community, getting involved with people that share common interests is a great start.
“I get a lot of things out of volunteering with Pine Tree Players,” she adds, “it gives me a creative outlet and I get to hang out with great people, plus there’s the fulfillment of seeing the show come together.”
Perfect little acceptance speech for when someone rips open an envelope and reads . . . “and the Oscar goes to . . .”
told to and abridged by Deb Cummings
About the Author: Deb Cummings is a retired journalist (mostly) who is terrified to sit in the front row of any theatre for fear of being called up on stage. She does, however, have aspirations to be a doo- wop girl (although she can’t sing) and spends a surprising amount of time watching plays or reading books that normalize the mortifying experience of being human.