Did you know that the South Simcoe Theatre is a part of the Association of Community Theatres – Central Ontario (ACT-CO)? Usually at this time, the group is working hard to get adjudicators from theatre to theatre as part of the Festival and beginning to plan the Gala in April – but like the rest of us, they’ve had to pivot! What have they been working on?

Outreach to Government

ACT-CO sought out and subsequently had a meeting with representatives from the Honourable Steven Guilbeault’s (Minister of Canadian Heritage) office. They’re working with the Federal Government to get access to the Canadian Emergency Bank Account for theatres that can meet the criteria and also asking for funds for those theatres that are going to need some help when we’re finally able to re-open.

Canada-Wide Community Theatre Discussion

On October 21, ACT-CO convened a preliminary meeting of community theatre folks from across Canada. Not surprisingly, ACT-CO learned that all of the theatres across Canada were closed. Some theatres were receiving funding from their provincial government – and they’ll be following up on that! The conversation with our friends across Canada will continue.

Helpful Documents

ACT-CO has and will continue to publish helpful documents for member theatres. So far, the ACT-CO Pandemic Strategic Communications Plan was created to help theatres discuss their current situation with local, provincial, and federal governments, as well as the press. The ACT-CO Re-opening Guide is a work compiled for community theatres using the best information known at the time.

ACT-CO is working for its member theatres to raise awareness, and ACT-CO will continue to work throughout the pandemic and beyond to bring value to community theatre. ACT-CO will promote its member theatres virtual projects on the website, Facebook and Instagram.

From Anne Currie - O'Brien, President, ACT-CO