2023 Theatre Collingwood Playbill

PLAYBILL2023

THANK YOU TO OUR PLATINUM SPONSORS

ERICA ANGUS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THEATRE COLLINGWOOD

Theatre Collingwood could be compared to the children’s story The Little Engine That Could, as there is no doubt, as a non-profit professional theatre company, we have had some mountains to overcome! Our decision to leave the Gayety Theatre five years ago because of accessibility issues and rent that doubled was a bold step. Touring to unique spaces around the region took guts and inventiveness. Then there was that little thing called The Pandemic! Getting folks to feel comfortable inside again has been slow for all theatre companies. However, the mantra for the company goes beyond that of the little engine’s “I think I can, I think I can” chant. We prefer to shout “WE KNOW WE CAN, WE KNOW WE CAN!

This tenacity did not start when I came on board 11 years ago. Our first Artistic Director, Kevin McCormick, started the company almost 40 years ago, and during the ‘80s the company was known for its large scale musicals. Jamie Portman of the Southam Press referred to Kevin’s creative work in developing summer theatre in the Georgian Triangle area as “A creative and economic miracle – a lesson to be learned for other parts of Canada.” Steven Thomas was Artistic Director from 1997-2012 and brought to Theatre Collingwood his experience, talent and vision, producing a range of Canadian and International literature, along with many premiers.

As our world recovers and also technologically advances at an increasingly rapid rate, we must ask ourselves what the viewing public is looking for now in terms of entertainment. Do people want to leave their homes to see a live performance? I believe they do, or maybe even that they should! The pandemic has had an effect on people and made many of us incredibly comfortable just staying home alone. However, humans are social creatures. We need interaction. The incredible

growth of “tribute shows” may also be telling us that people are feeling nostalgic.

A question that comes up often is “how do we get younger people into the theatre?” I have actually heard this question my whole career. I think programming has something to do with it, but can we really ever please everyone? Schools are cutting back drastically on the arts. Parents are busy with work and children, trying to make ends meet, and often lacking enough time in the day. It’s mature adults who have always been the ones with the time and money to go to the theatre, and we applaud them for this!

At Theatre Collingwood we are going to continue to creatively present the best

of Canadian talent to the region. We will continue to support artists and work collaboratively. We will enrich our community with education programs for youth, adults and seniors. And perhaps most of all, we will work to create an arts hub in Collingwood, with our programming and in our support for the building of a Centre for the Arts and Culture.

But we need your help. If you believe in live theatre please consider purchasing a subscription or making a donation. Introduce a friend to Theatre Collingwood. And speak to council about the need for an arts centre. We are here for you and we are so excited about our 2023 programming, and especially the regular season of GREAT STORYTELLERS and annual PORCHSIDE FESTIVAL. Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at a live performance soon!

Erica

YVONNE HAMLIN

As Mayor of the Town of Collingwood, I am very proud to have Theatre Collingwood as part of our Community. The line-up of performances that are planned for this year are delightful.

In addition to the many indoor main season shows planned, it is especially appreciated that Theatre Collingwood will again continue to offer some 36 Porchside Festival shows in the summertime, taking place on and around the beautiful porches of Collingwood. This Festival, borne out of necessity during the pandemic as the Theatre pivoted to keep our arts community alive, has become a favourite of many. It is so wonderful that all these special performances are taking place in the Town of Collingwood.

I look forward to the success of the annual Sunday in the Vineyard at Georgian Hills Vineyard and Putting for the Arts event at Blue Mountain, along with the various educational programs

Theatre Collingwood is offering to youth and mature adults. It was also my pleasure to be part of the annual staged reading of A Christmas Carol in December 2022!

I wish Theatre Collingwood a great season!

Yours Very Truly,

Mayor Yvonne Hamlin Town of Collingwood

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This event is a fundraiser for Theatre Collingwood & Drama Education Programs

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2023 PRESENTING SPONSORS

I am a quiet man by nature — have been since I was a boy. Oh … I had friends for sure, played on many athletic teams … but I also loved music and was a closeted lover of poetry and Shakespeare! I was more a listener and watcher … reticent to speak much; embarrassed to perform [although I did, under duress, sing Elvis’ “All Shook Up” acapella to my Grade 6 class!]

As an undergraduate I wrote poetry and discovered I had some capacity for playwriting. I stuffed all that when I steered into a career in business … although I did have significant opportunity to create and perform in company related videos.

Several decades later, moving to Collingwood, I rediscovered my penchant for writing dialogue through the generous programs of Gaslight Theatre. Ultimately, I have had 3 short plays produced. When I attended a rehearsal of the first one, I broke into sobs watching people bring to life characters I had created on paper! Then, I dared take on a small role on stage … and then some more … and then I was hooked as an actor! I discovered the joy of exploring context, the intrigue of developing a backstory, the discipline of rehearsing the lines and relationships of a character and the thrill of bringing that character to life on stage!

And that’s the point really, as I see it — life — LIVE THEATRE. Putting a story of life and a set of characters on stage in front of a live audience — unshielded by cameras and multiple takes a la video — performing on a knife-edge in the moment — no safety net — authenticity trumping perfection! For myself as a performer there’s a system of complicated and delicious tensions — internally with myself; between myself and other actors on stage and between the company of performers and the audience.

I have had increasing opportunities to experience those tensions as I performed with the currently dormant Quarter Century Theatre in Palace of the End and Collected Stories for a Better World. Subsequently, I have performed with Theatre Collingwood in Love Letters and in A Christmas Carol and created and performed Opening to the Mystery, from my book of the same name, both for the Theatre Collingwood Porchside Festival and on my own. As I write, I am currently in the final stages of preparing for Thornbury Community Theatre’s production of Tom Stoppard’s The Real Inspector Hound running the first 2 weekends in May in Clarksburg.

We are all so blessed to live in a community that offers a world of opportunities for participating in and attending a broad range of arts-related activities from live theatre to visual arts to music to dance … I feel beyond blessed to have found my small place in that world!

DAN PLOUFFE

On Monday February 27, 2023, our former Board Member, Dan Plouffe passed away after a challenging decline. Dan was the beloved husband and best friend of Julie Card. Together they launched mycollingwood.ca in 2005. Many will remember Dan as a promoter, innovator, and entrepreneur. With his skills as a marketing professional and his passion for arts and culture, Dan was a tremendous advocate for Theatre Collingwood and he is greatly missed by everyone involved in our organization. A celebration of Dan’s life was held on March 5th and donations in lieu of flowers were graciously given to Theatre Collingwood in recognition of Dan Plouffe.

THEATRE COLLINGWOOD STAFF

Executive Director

Erica Angus

Associate Producer

Anne Raciunas

Business Development Manager

Valerie O’Brien

Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator

Linda Milthorpe

Bookkeeper (Volunteer)

Mary Beth Sharpe

Webmaster

Art Southin

Social Media Coordinator

Kimberly Vincent

Sound Technician

Garion Allen

Graphic Designer

Tara McLellan

Development Assistant (Volunteer)

Virginia Gilbert

Production Assistant

Sylvie Potje

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair

Marie Rounding

Vice Chair

Rob Hart

Treasurer

Richard Lemoine

Jim Anderson

David McFadden

Harold Bickerstaff

Michelle Kingsbury

Anita Hearn

Patricia Best

Victoria Behune

Board Meeting Secretary (Volunteer)

Monica Wilson

Honorary Board Members

Bud Christensen

Katherine Huycke

Wayne Noble

Hella Sandberg

George Weider

STAY UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE THEATRE COLLINGWOOD NEWS BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR

SUE NICHOLSON, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE DOWNTOWN COLLINGWOOD BIA

ENCOURAGES YOU TO VISIT COLLINGWOOD’S HISTORIC DOWNTOWN AS IT COMES ALIVE IN ANY SEASON!

In Style - In Collingwood! The warmer weather is here. Time to update yourself and your personal space! Whether it’s the perfect pair of jeans, comfy walking shoes, a unique table lamp or a fresh paint colour, Downtown Collingwood’s many fashion forward boutiques and home décor and design shops have the latest spring trends you’re looking for – with friendly and knowledgeable staff ready to help you on your personalized journey of discovery!

You know summer’s back when our downtown patios open for great outdoor casual dining, where you can relax and enjoy yummy food and drinks in the sun or the shade. Fresh, locally-sourced foods at our Farmers’ Market put a special sizzle in your backyard barbecue. Local Live Lunch, celebrating Canada Day, the Keys to Collingwood Street Piano Festival, Sidelaunch Days, the Pride Festival, and so much more. Live music and sunny days are in all their glory in Downtown

Any time is the perfect season for discovering Downtown Collingwood! Find a unique, locally-crafted treasure or an inspiring work of art. Take in a show, an exhibit, or a heritage walking tour. Indulge in a culinary creation from one of our many local chefs. Celebrate the finer things in life.

Mark your calendar and don’t miss these great events and festivals downtown this year:

Collingwood Downtown Farmers’ Market

Every Saturday Morning, May 20 - October 7

Local Live Lunch

Wednesdays at Noon, June 28 – August 30

Collingwood Festival for Canada

July 1 to 3

Collingwood Pride Festival

July 14 to 16

Keys to Collingwood Street Piano Festival

July 29 to September 4

Art Crawl

September 16

Collingwood Fashion Week

September 18 to 22

Halloween Festival

October 28

Christmas Season Launch featuring Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, November 18

Collingwood Christmas Market

Friday evenings - December 1, 8, 15

Visit With Santa Claus and his Reindeer

Saturday Afternoons, November 25, December 2, 9, 16

Downtown Collingwood might just surprise you with 30 plus restaurants, 60 plus boutique shops, spas for relaxing, live music for grooving…all in the only downtown core recognized in Canada’s Registrar of Historic Places!

IT’S ALL HERE WAITING FOR YOU IN YOUR DOWNTOWN!

Art lives in our Historic Downtown!

This spring, summer and fall, when you feel like soaking up some local culture, head to historic Downtown Collingwood for some creative fun.

Enjoy a celebration of the finer things in life –the best in local art, musical talent and culinary creativity – featuring fascinating displays, captivating tours and exciting events all week long.

It’s an authentic experience set in the midst of history and heritage in Downtown Collingwood.

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LOYALTY POINTS earned on every purchase

WALL OF HONOUR

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS!

We gratefully acknowledge all charitable donations made to Theatre Collingwood. These organizations and individuals share our belief that arts and culture play an integral role in sustaining a vibrant, healthy community. Thank you for helping us to enrich the lives of those who live and PLAY in South Georgian Bay! This list contains donations made from June 1, 2022 until May 31st, 2023.

2023 LEGACY DONATIONS

The Henning Foundation

The Estate of Henderika (Ricki) Thompson

Dan Plouffe Memorial Fund

Gord & Lu-Anne Demetrick’s Legacy Foundation

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING

Government of Ontario & the Ontario Trillium Foundation

Rotary Club of Wasaga Beach & Area - Corvette Lottery

Optimist Club of Collingwood for Youth Drama Program

County of Simcoe Tourism, Culture & Sport Enhancement Fund

Town of Collingwood Community

Recreation & Culture Grant

Town of Blue Mountains Community

Grant

Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sport

Summer Experience Program

George & Barbara Weider Family

Foundation - Rosutec Charitable

Ontario Arts Foundation

THEATRE ANGELS

($5,000+)

Susan & Bud Christensen

Debra Friendly & Richard Lemoine

VISIONARY ($2,500-4,999)

Rowland & Kate Fleming

Anita Hearn

Kerry Mader & Brian McCrindle

David McFadden & Marian Spence

Marie Rounding

Joan & Ron Varley

ADVOCATE ($1,000-1,499)

Eleanor & Dr. Farel Anderson

Jim & Susan Anderson

Lee Bertouche

Patricia Best

Harold Bickerstaff

Patti McFarlane

Francine Van Melle & Harold Hopf

Joanne Nijhuis

Jane Palmer

Ron & Barb Picot

James P. Roe

Ian & Judy Ross

John & Leslie Worts

Wylde Wind Foundation 1 Anonymous

FRONT ROW ($750-999)

Annick Freed

ORCHESTRA ($400-749)

Karen Eluck

Rob & Lynn Hart

Valerie O’Brien & Andrew St. Croix

Andrew & Bethany Prashad

Leisa Way 1 Anonymous

DRESS CIRCLE ($250-399)

Brenda & Don Brazier

Hugh Franklin

Bruce King & Valerie Jones

Michelle Kingsbury

Laurie & Bill Neweduk

Valerie Phelps

Sarah Pryce

Mary Jane Santori

Twylla-Fay Tasse Goad

Jean Thompson

Patricia Tilley

Jane Walcroft

Bruce Wing & Marlene Martin Anonymous

MEZZANINE ($100 - 249)

Rob Adams

Amy Alter

Margaret Atkinson

Judy & Walter Barclay

Moyra Biggar

Lyn Campney

George & Fran Christie

Helen Coleman

Colleen Conway

Jerry & Linda Gaatch

Sarah McGarr Sweetwood

Gardening

Yvonne Gibson

Ginny Gilbert

Linda & Jim Gosnell

Ian & Christie Gray

Joyce Grosset

Ron & Pam Hand

Janet & Larry Hogarth

Jeannine Holden

Sandra & David Hore

David Klebanoff

Cheryl Ann & Ralph Kothe

Tracy Kundell

Bob & Anne Luton

Catherine B. MacKay

Jake & Roz McArthur

Patricia McDonald

Mary Jane McIntyre

Morag Louise McKenzie

Dorothee Anne McLean

Ingrid McLeod-Dick & Michael Dick

Linda McMahon

Monika Merz

Susanne Mikler & Rudy Florio

Brenda C. Miller

Mary Miller

Linda Milthorpe

Joya Mitchell

Gary Moore

Michele & Gord Myrah

Lisa Pelletier

Heather Phelps

Jennine T. Profeta

Jim & Fran Ricketts

Marie & John Ritchie

Bill Robbins

Sally Sajben

Nanette Sanson & Anne Brayley

Helen Seivewright

Mary Beth & Peter Sharpe

Wendy Sherwood

Georgina Diane Smith

Jocelyn Smith

Marilynne Sokoloff

Jo-Anne Soye

Richard Stapells

Bambi Sylvester

Louise Tatham

Agatha Tawaststjerna

Stephen Twiss

Isabel Van Den Hurk

William W. Waite

Joan Walsh

Bob & Brenda Woodburn

5 Anonymous

BALCONY ($50 - 99)

Anne & Sarah

Ellen Allas

Blaine Angus

Christopher Baines

Marilyn Arleigh Belec Bittman

Heather & Wayne Brassem

Greer Carter

Renata Catenacci

Cheryl Colton

John S. Cowan

Louise Dawe

Wendy Evans

Liz & Dan Fornasier

Iain D. Fraser

Doug Freer

Mary Ann Gallacher

Read Hilton

Diane Keir

Susan King

Martha Lawrence

Linda Llocke

Dianna Mancini

Paula Marsden-Spearn

Allan & Doreen McLean

Rosalyn Morrison

Harry Charles Palter

Tamara Penny

Brenda Margaret Pick

Cynthia Torokvei

Bruce & Paulette West

Joanne Wright

4 Anonymous

Every effort is made to ensure accuracy of this list. Please call the office if you find an error and accept our sincere apologies. Theatre Collingwood is a notfor-profit professional theatre company with charitable status.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2ND, 2023 • 3PM

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, COLLINGWOOD

Songs and stories of the season! A warm and fun afternoon for the whole family, with this celebrated Canadian icon!

Adults $65 (+ HST) | Students $35 (+HST)

MAY 11-13

THE SIMCOE STREET THEATRE | COLLINGWOOD

TICKETS 705-445-2200

PRODUCTION SPONSOR: OVER 40 YEARS

THEATRECOLLINGWOOD.CA

WINE, DINE, STAY & PLAY

DINING IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN COLLINGWOOD, WINERIES OVERLOOKING THE BEAVER VALLEY, AND RESORT-STYLE ACCOMMODATIONS NEAR THE WATERFRONTwhy not complement your theatre experience with unique offerings from our retail, restaurant and accommodation partners? Some also offer discounts when you present your Theatre Collingwood ticket at their establishment. Click on their ads to visit their website, and if you pay them a visit in-person, tell them Theatre Collingwood sent you!

SUNDAY, JUNE 25TH, 2023

GEORGIAN HILLS VINEYARD

An enchanting fundraising event in support of Theatre Collingwood’s 39th Anniversary Season. Featuring Wine & Food Pairings, One-of-a-kind Silent Auction, Professional Musical Entertainment

SPECIAL GUEST: LEAH ALLYCE CANALI

Collingwood favourite, Leah Allyce Canali is a multi-genre vocalist with a soulful sound and whistle notes to the sky. Her arrangements will make you fall in love with your favorite music all over again! This is a performance you do not want to miss!

$225 $225 +HST Comes with a $100 Tax Receipt

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ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

Shakespeare

THEATRECOLLINGWOOD.CA

William