For the past 25 years, One Yellow Rabbit's name has been synonymous with the difficulties and triumphs that come with Calgary's theatre arts scene.

What began as a small, core ensemble in 1982, when the city was a mere shadow of its present self, the organization has blossomed into a world-renowned theatrical voice—'one widely recognized for captivating performances such as Doing Leonard Cohen and the Erotic Irony of Old Glory. Also, One Yellow Rabbit is famously known for the High Performance Rodeo, western Canada's premiere showcase for creative, convention-bucking theatre.

As the company prepares to canonize a historic 25-year ride through highlights and through struggles, it's worth taking a look back to reveal the remarkable relationship of this city and its arts scene over the years.

"As an ensemble, to survive for 25 years is incredible. I am at a loss to find another ensemble anywhere in the country that has lasted that long," said Michael Green, One Yellow Rabbit';s co-artistic director.

Green is also the curator for the High Performance Rodeo, which has been providing Calgary with experimental, challenging theatre since the mid-1980s.

In June, Green will be busy with work on One Yellow Rabbit's silver anniversary performance, which will showcase the best-of-the-best from years past.

It's an event that’s surely to be the toast of the town, said Green. The current ensemble, which includes Blake Brooker, Denise Clark, Richard McDowell, Andy Curtis and newcomer Onalea Gilbertson, will be performing some of their favourite scenes from the company's most memorable productions.

The night will undoubtedly offer an interesting retrospective at some of the company's earliest influences, not to mention the important role theatre has played in Calgary's history, and vice versa.

"Calgary is a different city, to be sure," said Green. "It's grown up a lot. We're a very sophisticated city now, but we are still in the process of discovering who we are, which is a very Canadian occupation to have."

During Ralph Klein's 14-year tenure at the helm of the Progressive Conservative party, when provincial spending was on a short-leash due to Klein's deficit curtailing public policy, the arts scene was just one aspect of Alberta's suffering social fabric, said Green.

"I think we can look back and see those years as the 'dark ages'," he said.

Since then, however, the province has come under the control of the gentle Ed Stelmach and with it has come a relative wash of arts funding.

"We are successful in the fact that we have managed to survive as long as we did,"he added. "One of the things that made it possible, probably the most important thing, is that Calgary has supported One Yellow Rabbit and our vision."

That vision was, and still is, to provide original performance theatre, not just for anybody, but for a supportive community.

It's a relationship that has been win-win for 25 years and running, through the good and the bad.

"It really has been so much fun," said Green. “But those times that seemed the most challenging are really the most rewarding when you look back. Those were the defining moments.";

—Dan Leahul is a Calgary Real Estate News reporter.