The humble beginnings of the Paris Performers Theatre over 3 decades ago

The Paris Performers Theatre, which originated in the 1990s as Paris Music Theatre, has a rich history that can be traced back to Sara Staysa, the founder of a successful theatre in Port Dover Sara Staysa was already an established theatre director in Brantford when she arrived in Port Dover over four decades ago with a dream of establishing a summer theatre in the lake port. Initially known as the Carpet Bag Theatre, the venture faced numerous challenges in its early days. The first meetings were held in Sara's cramped apartment, barely accommodating three people However, the perseverance of the three individuals involved, along with the unwavering support of the efficient secretary Kit (Ayers) Julian, kept the dream alive.

To Sara's surprise, Port Dover held a hidden gem a 350-seat abandoned theatre with flawless acoustics. Despite being filled with dusty police records and decades of forgotten memories, this dilapidated theater became their sanctuary After the first season, the Carpet Bag Theatre found itself deep in debt, but the passion and dedication of its everchanging slate of enthusiastic directors kept the flame alive. This relentless pursuit of artistic excellence led to the birth of the Lighthouse Festival Theatre, which would soon become renowned and respected across Canada

In 1992, the Paris Performers Theatre took its first steps towards maturity. Sara Staysa, now the artistic director of the Paris Music Theatre, expressed her excitement about the company's growth. They were preparing for their grand debut a cabaret-style review to be held at a local restaurant. However, before the performance could take place, the theatre needed to settle into its new home on West River Street, a 5000-square-foot studio space within the Pride of Paris complex (formerly Penman’s). The building, formerly a workout gym, was being transformed into a theater with a stage, dance studio, and prop workshop. The Bingmans: The View From Paris, a comedic production depicting the lives of Ed and Edna Bingman, was the focus of their creative endeavors.