The Village Playhouse - Bancroft, Ontario
N 45° 03.360 W 077° 51.161
18T E 275384 N 4993130
Home to local theater groups, Laugh Lines Theatre, local choirs, and performing arts.
Waymark Code: WM6TH9
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 07/18/2009
Views: 8
THE VILLAGE PLAYHOUSE
A brief history on the occasion of the 10th anniversary year.
In June, 1993, The Algonquin Arts Council held a public planning meeting with members of that Board, members of community arts groups and the community at large for the purpose of discussing the development of a permanent performing venue in the Village of Bancroft. From this and subsequent meetings, came the idea to transform the ‘Christian Education Centre,’ a local heritage building owned by St. Paul’s United Church and under-used at the time, into such a performing venue.
With the support of St. Paul’s and a wide array of community partnerships, funding of more than $200,000.00 was raised through provincial and local support. Provincially, an application was successfully made for JOBSONTARIO funding, while local fundraising included ‘seat sale,’ ‘gala’ events, and a direct-ask donor campaign. The first major benefactor came to be The Bancroft Theatre Guild when that group agreed to the sale of the Bancroft Theatre Guild building on Heritage Trail Way to another community group and directing this money toward the new venue.
Over many months, Playhouse renovation was administered and supervised by volunteers from the community, with the work being carried out by local, professional carpenters working generously at minimal wage.
In May of 1995, a private reception welcoming volunteers and members of St. Paul’s United Church unveiled the result of the renovation project. It was followed a few weeks later by a public event at which time the winner of a ‘name the venue’ contest was announced and “The Village Playhouse” was chosen.
Theatrics Summer Theatre had the honor of presenting the first performances, quickly followed by Bancroft Theatre Guild, North Hastings Community Choir, North Hastings High School Student Theatre and the Performing Arts Committee (now Performing Arts Bancroft). In time, November Theatre, The Merry Micks, Laugh Lines Theatre, and a wide and varied array of professional and local talent came to call the Playhouse ‘home.’
Management of The Village Playhouse, in the early years all volunteer, has now expanded to a part time management and custodial staff. Volunteers continue to serve as members on the management group known as ‘The Village Playhouse Operations Committee’ whose goal remains to have the playhouse pay its own way and yet remain affordable to all. Over the years, The Village Playhouse has been the recipient of two Trillium Grants, 10 annual Gala Fund Raising Events and thousands of community , volunteer hours and dollars. The unique arrangement between Algonquin Arts Council, Playhouse volunteers and St. Paul’s United Church speaks to the success of community partnerships and offers to the audiences from North Hastings and beyond a charming venue for live theatre, music, dance and lecture hall. May it serve for years to come.
Theatrics Summer Theatre had the honor of presenting the first performances, quickly followed by Bancroft Theatre Guild, North Hastings Community Choir, North Hastings High School Student Theatre and the Performing Arts Committee (now Performing Arts Bancroft). In time, November Theatre, The Merry Micks, Laugh Lines Theatre, and a wide and varied array of professional and local talent came to call the Playhouse ‘home.’
Management of The Village Playhouse, in the early years all volunteer, has now expanded to a part time management and custodial staff. Volunteers continue to serve as members on the management group known as ‘The Village Playhouse Operations Committee’ whose goal remains to have the playhouse pay its own way and yet remain affordable to all. Over the years, The Village Playhouse has been the recipient of two Trillium Grants, 10 annual Gala Fund Raising Events and thousands of community , volunteer hours and dollars. The unique arrangement between Algonquin Arts Council, Playhouse volunteers and St. Paul’s United Church speaks to the success of community partnerships and offers to the audiences from North Hastings and beyond a charming venue for live theatre, music, dance and lecture hall. May it serve for years to come.
Theater Name: The Village Playhouse
Country: Canada
Address:
5 Hastings Street South
Bancroft, Ontario Canada
KOL 1C0
Web Site: [Web Link]
Venue: Community Theater
Type of Productions:
Theatrics Summer Theatre, Bancroft Theatre Guild, North Hastings Community Choir, Performing Arts Bancroft, November Theatre, and Laugh Lines Theatre.
Restored Building: yes
Date of Construction: 1993
Stage Type: Proscenium
Seating Capacity: 192
Special Productions/Events/Festivals:
Laugh Lines Theatre
Architect/Designer: Not listed
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