Though the stage might be reserved for professional performers, Theatre Collingwood also aims to elevate its audiences and leave them feeling uplifted.
That's why Erica Angus and her team settled on the word Elevate for this year's fundraising drive in celebration of the local not-for-profit theatre company's 40th anniversary.
"[We] were trying to think of a word that would describe what we're trying to do at Theatre Collingwood ... we're just trying to elevate the standard of what we do and the accessibility ... and we also want our patrons and our supporters to feel elevated, like they're always feeling up with Theatre Collingwood," said Angus, the executive director of Theatre Collingwood.
In the spirit of raising spirits, the theatre company has set a lofty goal to raise $50,000 this year in donations through the Elevate Theatre Collingwood Support Drive to help run performances and programs next season.
That would include the Porchside Festival, regular shows at local theatres, performance classes and kids drama camps.
The Porchside Festival was a product of the pandemic restrictions. In order to keep theatre alive and performers paid, Theatre Collingwood found local homeowners with big backyards willing to host a small crowd for a show.
But the Porchside Festival stuck around longer than lockdowns and social distancing, growing from about 700 attendees over several shows the first year to more than 2,000 attendees at this year's series.
Theatre Collingwood's education programs also continue to thrive, including classes for kids, adults and seniors, and drama camps.
"Some really amazing things happen at our youth drama program," said Angus. "I always say we embrace the quirky. Bring us your quirky people ... and let them feel like they belong."
Theatre Collingwood didn't carry on for 40 years to become a cultural force by keeping its feet planted firmly on the ground. Its founders, staff and volunteers don't shy away from time in the clouds dreaming of what could be.
The organization started in 1984 as a volunteer-run group putting on their own productions. The delivery has changed over the years with more co-productions and bringing in existing shows.
Angus, who was hired 13 years ago, said Theatre Collingwood is venturing back into producing its own shows, but not exclusively.
This year, the Christmas pantomime will be directed by Angus and it's written by Anne Raciunas as an in-house production for Theatre Collingwood.
"I think there's a great opportunity for us to do some more in-house productions," said Angus. "I think ultimately the sweet spot would be bringing in some productions, co-producing some, and then producing some in-house ultimately."
Angus also wants to see more development in the company's education program.
"I'd love to see it expand," said Angus. "My hope is that we continue to grow the program and that we continue to be able to help everybody who wants to get involved to be able to do it even if they're running into some financial barriers."
Angus' biggest dream, and perhaps most tempting pie-in-the-sky is a place to call home.
"Our goal is to maintain and improve what we're doing as we move forward to a day when, I believe, we will have an arts centre ... an actual home for Theatre Collingwood," said Angus, acknowledging her dream is a "biggie."
Currently, shows take the stage at Simcoe Street Theatre, in backyards, and in other venues around town. But most fall short in size – Simcoe Street Theatre is 99 seats – and often also are not fully accessible.
A performance this week by senior actors between the ages of 60 and 90 proved a lack of accessibility even for performers.
"It's a problem we run into all the time," said Angus.
The work of running the programs and productions and funding them while also securing sponsorships and applying for grants like the Trillium Fund and the Town of Collingwood's arts and culture grants keeps Angus and her team busy, and is costly, which is why the non-profit is appealing to the community for funds.
It's also all worth it for Angus.
"I have a really, really strong feeling about what theatre does for the community, or what the arts do, and I think it's really important and more important than what a lot of people realize," said Angus. "One of the greatest things that theatre does is it teaches us about empathy."
She likens watching a one- or two-hour performance to walking in someone else's shows.
"You have an opportunity to learn about the way somebody else thinks, or the life experiences someone else had," said Angus. "We sit in the theatre and we take in this information and some of it we may agree with and some of it we may not, but it gives us another opportunity to talk to our friends afterwards and express how we feel."
"Theatre is a place for community to come together and then have an experience together that's positive and then talk about it afterwards and maybe understand a little bit more about how others think," said Angus.
The value goes beyond the soul, too. Practically speaking, there's a positive economic impact for town businesses when people attend Theatre Collingwood productions, and add a dinner out and/or an overnight stay to their outing.
Though she's admittedly biased, Angus said she believes Theatre Collingwood is important to the community and that the Elevate campaign will be successful because the community has come through for the local company before.
"I just feel so grateful to the community, because they do support what we do," said Angus, referring to season sponsors, individual donors and ticket buyers. "It takes a village to do this ... we have a small but mighty staff and we have almost 100 volunteers who help us throughout the year, which also includes our board members. I'm just really grateful to have all of that."
If you'd like to learn more about the Elevate support campaign or to donate, visit the Theatre Collingwood website here, or call the office at 705-445-2200 or 1-866-382-2200 to speak with Business Development Manager, Valerie O’Brien or email [email protected].
Donations can be made online, by phone, or by mail.
In addition to this donor campaign Theatre Collingwood is also hosting the Starry Night 40th anniversary gala at Craigleith Ski Club’s Depot Lodge on Saturday, Oct. 5. The gala event, hosted by Adrian Marchuk of Jersey Boys fame, will feature a live performance by JUNO Award-Winning artist Sean Jones (known for his very popular summer concerts at Casa Loma), The Collective, and special guest performer Cleopatra Williams.
Ticket price includes a gourmet dinner and wine. Tickets are available online or through the Theatre Collingwood Box Office.
