A New Year and NEW HOPES! |
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Hello Theatre Lovers!
Happy New Year, Everyone! It certainly is a NEW YEAR!
Although we are still in a lockdown in Ontario, I think we can all be a little excited about our neighbours to the south. If like me you were glued to the TV set on Wednesday, I’m sure your heart was warmed by the positive messaging coming from the inauguration ceremony. And how exciting to have a woman of colour as Vice President! I almost have the feeling of springtime! Some positive news that we can all use right now!
I was especially thrilled to listen to poet laureate Amanda Gorman recite her very inspirational poem. What an amazing opportunity for her and what a brilliant 22 year old! This should give us all so much hope for what young people are bringing to the world. If you did not get to hear Amanda recite her poem, or you wish to watch it again, check it out at:
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Our Theatre Collingwood Box Office is closed to the public right now, due to the lockdown. However, we are still working (from home) and are answering all phone calls and emails. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us!
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At Theatre Collingwood we are working very hard on our 2021 programming. It is no doubt challenging this year, especially with this moving target, but we are confident we will be able to share some great entertainment with you. I am especially excited about our 2021 PORCHSIDE FESTIVAL, which we plan to offer in the late spring or early summer. This will be an opportunity for us to present some wonderful music and one act plays while featuring some of the area’s most historic and not-so-historic porches. I am confident that we will all be ready to get outdoors and be entertained, while still being socially distanced and safe. This idea came to me when I hosted a couple of plays in my own backyard in Barrie last year and saw how wonderful it is to be in a small audience experiencing something special and up close. The Musical Stage Company in Toronto also launched small concerts on porches during the pandemic, to rave revues. Stay tuned, as we will be announcing the line up soon and you will be able to purchase your “passport” soon.
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The Musical Stage Company is a brilliant Toronto based musical theatre company. They are offering 3 musicals online that are sure to be interesting and entertaining, and they are very reasonably priced. ‘Tour’ the musical world with The Musical Stage Company as we travel to Vancouver, New York, and London to stream three utterly unique digital musical experiences. Each virtual theatre outing includes a curated pre-show chat with a member of the musical’s creative team, a ticket to the event, and a facilitated post-show discussion and analysis with Artistic & Managing Director, MITCHELL MARCUS.
Check it out at:
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Thank you to Probus by the Bay for inviting me to speak at their Zoom meeting this past week. It was really fun and as many know, I just love to talk about theatre! The discussion included a history of Theatre Collingwood, my history, my arrival at TC in 2013, how the pandemic has effected theatre companies around the world, and where we go from here. If you are a member of a Probus club and would like me to speak at your meeting, please send me a note HERE. My answer will be “I’d love to!” If your club is unsure about running Zoom meetings I recommend you speak with the ladies at Probus by the Bay, because they are doing a great job at it! |
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THEATRE ALIVE is a celebration of U.S. school theatre programs, from the Educational Theatre Foundation, being held on January 28th, at 8:30pm. This is a FREE online and star-studded show. I think it could also be a very interesting look at the importance of theatre arts programs in education systems. Check it out at:
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I HAVE A FAVOUR TO ASK!
Theatre Collingwood would love to be nominated for the next 100 Women Who Care meeting in Collingwood. If you are involved with this group could you please contact me HERE. Thank you so much.
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UPDATE!
If you are not aware of the CACE Group yet, CACE (Collingwood Art Culture Entertainment) Group is a local grassroots group of citizens who are very passionate and committed to building an arts, culture and entertainment centre in Collingwood. They are thrilled that the Town of Collingwood has begun the process of having a feasibility study completed. For information on CACE and why they feel this is an important project for the region, visit www.collingwoodarts.com. When you are there you can also register your non-financial support if you wish.
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PEOPLE ARE LOVING OUR 2020 COMMEMORATIVE PROGRAM!
If you have not read it yet please check it out. This is the program/playbill that we would have loved to hand out in person at our shows in 2020. It is packed with articles from many of our community’s artists and arts partners. Please check it out and also share it with your friends. Special thanks to all our donors and advertiser who are in the program, who made us be able to survive 2020. Please send us your feedback HERE. We would love to hear what you thought, and also any suggestions you may have for our future programming.
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AND HERE IS SOMETHING FUN!
OLD-TIME MOVIE STARS DANCE TO UPTOWN FUNK!
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Thank you, everyone. Have a wonderful month. Stay happy and healthy!
Erica
Erica Angus
Executive Director, Theatre Collingwood
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AND NOW A NOTE FROM VALERIE O’BRIEN
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER FOR THEATRE COLLINGWOOD
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Hello, 2021. It’s so good to see you!
As I reflect on last year, I am amazed by the strength and courage of people in our community who persevered through many challenges brought on by the global pandemic. From our educators to healthcare workers, small business owners to large corporations, the job titles within those sectors haven’t changed but the requirements to work safely are completely different today than they were last January. For individuals and families who have struggled with separation from friends and loved ones, it’s a small blessing that technology has enabled us to connect virtually.
When I think about all the added pressures that 2020 brought us, I know that we need the arts more than ever to help us experience joy once again, and soon! 2021 is going to be quite different for Theatre Collingwood than years past, but our team is committed to creating opportunities for you to experience quality theatrical entertainment.
Last fall, we offered three unique productions online from the comfort of your home and we had a lot of positive feedback from audiences. While restrictions on gathering in-person continue, we will provide new ways to experience joyful entertainment and to make connections with each other. We need our allied theatre-lovers to stay optimistic about 2021. And, if I may add, our artists need YOU too! This long-enduring intermission for performers is causing significant impact on their livelihoods, not to mention their creative spirits. We simply cannot wait to re-unite, so stay tuned and get ready to book your tickets for our first event of the 2021 Season!
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Thank you to our Corporate Partners!
If you haven’t yet flipped through our 2020 Commemorative Program, I encourage you to read the contributions from our friends and click the links to visit the websites of our various corporate partners. These sponsors are a tremendous group who support Theatre Collingwood in big ways and small. Without their annual commitment, we simply could not offer affordable professional theatre in South Georgian Bay.
I want to also say a special ‘Thank You’ to Susan Tuohey at TD Canada Trust, Collingwood, and to Janet Trude at Tim Hortons, Collingwood. Both long-time supporters, these business leaders understand how important arts and culture are to the health of our communities. Thank you for sticking with us in 2020 and beyond!
Valerie
705-445-2200
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