Venues

Stages and spaces
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People

Staff and volunteers
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Mission

Plans and goals
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History

Past and present
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Venues

Productions

We are pleased to call The Scott Block Theatre home as one of their resident companies.

The Scott Block Theatre
Main Stage & Centennial Stage

Scott Block's Main Stage is accessed through the front doors on Gaetz Avenue. 
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Centennial Stage is accessed through the utility lane, at the rear of the Scott Block.

New Works

We are proud to partner with Red Deer's Public Libraries to debut our new works readings.

The Snell Auditorium
​Red Deer Public Library, Downtown Branch

The Snell Auditorium is on the lower subfloor of the Library's Downtown Branch, and is accessible by stairs or elevator. 

Staff

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Photo Courtesy of Karli Kendall (@krearkreations)

Katherine Orsten
Executive Director

Katherine is an award-winning playwright, director, and performer, who grew up in Sylvan Lake, studied theatre in Red Deer and Toronto, and now practices throughout the Central Alberta region.

Their education focused on the creation of new theatre "from scratch, with ingredients you probably have around the house". Their favorite projects are plays that are written locally, cast locally, and performed locally. 

Board of Directors

2026 - 2027

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Fran Kimmel Board Chair
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Simone Ladd - Member at Large
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Fleur Jacobs - Member at Large
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Wanda Oler - Vice Chair
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Suzanne Hermary - Secretary
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Aaron Ladd - Previous Chair
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Michael Leek - Treasurer
Riverbend Theatre welcomes new board members during the election process at our Annual General Meeting, held each year in August.

Mission

Strategic Plan 2026 - 2028

In collaboration with the Government of Alberta,
Riverbend Theatre (previously the Red Deer Players Society)
underwent a​ Strategic Planning session in November of 2025.
Strategic Plan
File Size: 475 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

History

Who were the Red Deer Players?  

Incorporated in 2014, the Red Deer Players Society emerged from a group of artists seeking alternatives to existing theatre opportunities in Red Deer. Early programming focused on British-style pantomimes, but as the organization evolved, differing artistic priorities surfaced, and we began pursuing more challenging, thought-provoking work.

​In 2026, we launched a new identity as Riverbend Theatre: a name reflecting both our connection to this physical place and our commitment to growth, movement, and contemporary independent theatre

Who was Jane Eileen Rees-Kato?  

Jane Rees-Kato (1949–2017) was a Red Deer artist whose lifelong passion for the arts began at an early age, including studies at the Banff School of Fine Arts. Through her generous endowment, Riverbend Theatre is able to continue supporting and celebrating the arts in Central Alberta. Jane’s creative legacy lives on not only through her own artwork, but through the artists and audiences her generosity continues to inspire.​