By Patty Mintz
Time flies when you’re immersed in community theatre.
Even 25 years seems like a flash for Kentville’s non-profit CentreStage Theatre, which marks the milestone this year.
Supporters say the combination of long hours, no pay, unexpected setbacks and shortage of finances is happily offset by a sense of amazement and delight. Being involved with a group of creative people passionate about presenting good theatre at a reasonable price is reward in itself.
George Henry, a retired high school English teacher who now runs his own painting business, has been chair of the board of directors since 1986. As with many CentreStage volunteers, he has worn a long list of hats , including directing, building sets and working the lighting. He still recalls his first time on stage. “I was standing behind a door with my hand on the doorknob waiting to enter and thinking, ‘what am I doing?’ “Then I stepped through the door to the stage and felt, ‘this is like coming home’.”
It’s a feeling many of those involved in CentreStage Theatre’s 25-year history – from bankers and high school students to dairy farmers and teachers -- have felt, whether onstage or behind the scenes.
Still, times have not been easy. Running eight plays a year on box office and donations from private sources is no easy task. Yet despite the challenges and the passing of time, Henry has lost none of his enthusiasm.
“When you look at the whole province, the only one that runs year-round is CentreStage. We are unique! It amazes, in fact it almost shocks some people who have some knowledge of what it takes to run a theatre, that we have survived and grown.”
In recent months, the theatre society has been busy making plans for additional growth. The project includes the purchase of its present rented location – the IOOF building on River Street currently owned by the Rebekah Lodge followed by extensive renovations, and purchasing and paving a side lot for parking.
The main floor will remain as is; a main stage area flanked by dressing rooms, prop storage, the costume department, technical equipment and other typical supports. Upstairs will be converted into a flexible theatre for workshops, a children’s theatre, a small venue for performing artists and as a meeting space for community groups. The additional space will also be used to present dinner theatres several times a year.
If things go as planned, the Rebekahs will switch from landlords to tenants.
“Part of our agreement is that we will help to renovate a large space that will allow (the Rebekahs) to continue meeting,” says Henry.
One big advantage is that owning their own space – for the first time, they point out – will let them fix things up to their liking.
The second upstairs stage will provide a better place for rehearsals.
“Now when a play is on the boards and another is in rehearsal we have to use a stage that is set up for the play that is running,” an annoying inconvenience, says costumer Lana Churchill.
Of course, none of this comes cheap.
“We need $500,000 but we bring to the table $100,000 of our own money accumulated from ticket sales and donations,” says Henry.
The group feels optimistic about their application for government funding.
“We’ve presented a very convincing package because we’ve taken the time to identify the economic impact of this theatre on the community,” says Henry.
“We bring in an average 10,000 people a year into the core of Kentville and those people spend about three-quarters of a million dollars, using the government’s own formula. So we’re good for businesses in this area.”
Henry says the theatre also provides services that otherwise would not exist, namely “a cultural centre (and) people in the local area have the opportunity which they would not normally have to participate in a theatre as actors, directors…they get to learn the whole production history from selection of the play to its performance and all that goes with it. Nothing else exists in the area to provide that.”
Besides, the volunteer-run society has no qualms about asking the government for a little help at this stage in its history.
The theatre has succeeded for a quarter of a century with only a relatively small amount of government funding, from the Town of Kentville and the Rotary Club, to build a wheelchair accessible washroom.
Created in 1983, CentreStage has produced 188 plays since then, the first of which was Neil Simon’s Chapter Two.
In celebration of its 25th season, the play will be reprised this June and July. “Songs and Snippets – 25 Years of Musicals” will run March 28 and 29.
Few know as well as Diana Bishop how acting grabs hold. She came on board the very first year, joining Allen Hume, Susan Munro, Jerry Morine, Gertrude Bishop, Chloris Morine and Arlo Moen.
“These actors needed a place to act. They had a lot of enthusiasm and energy and everything came into place (but) it was a lot of hard work back then; there were only a few of us. There are more hands involved now which makes it easier.”
At 74, Bishop has no plans to retire – she has a role in the current comedy Senior Follies - yet parts for her age are scarcer, she says.
In an interview last week, she marveled at the theatre’s longevity.
“I feel very proud of it. Certainly there’s a need for it. There’s a lot of talent in this area and this provides an outlet. It’s been awfully good for a lot of young people.”
Henry says, “I know from experience it’s a tremendous teaching tool. Kids learn acceptable behaviour, how to deal with criticism. It helps build a strong sense of community and self.”
Vice-chair Elva Heyge says donations from the general public are welcome on an on-going basis and can be made in person at front-of-house prior or after performances, or mail to Treasurer, CentreStage Theater Society, P.O. Box 742, Kentville, N.S. B4N 3X9. For more information, visit
www.centrestagetheatre.ca
