FOLKS – another hot summer month has slipped by since last we chatted, and there has been some really interesting and turbulent weather!  We have discovered that if torrents of rain, blown at just the right angle to our siding on the roof, creates a leak in the north lobby – the joys of home ownership – fun stuff!  Against that backdrop, I sincerely hope that all of you are working though the various COVID stages and staying cautious, healthy, and active doing the things you love to do! Except coming to the OLT obviously – more on that later.

I came across this quote recently, speaking of turbulent times: “Sometimes a crisis can catalyze enduring transformation that can last years or even decades”  According to the author, this “transformation” scenario is one in which we redesign ourselves to be stronger, more vibrant, more sustainable.  He also suggested that the benefits of “transformation” could only be reaped by deliberate choice and action, rather than just letting nature take her course. Letting nature do that might result in some less-than pleasant scenarios – he listed a few unpleasant ones, and one he called “Withering Winter” was really scary and hit a littler close to home.

So, I got to wondering if there was a “deliberate choice and action,” that we at the OLT should be taking to leverage this crisis and make some sort of transformation.

In my Covid-clouded ponderings, I found a little clarity.  It seems to me that the OLT consists of three elements:

  1. Our building – which doesn’t appreciate that it is a theatre, and as it ages keeps costing us more and more to maintain – this a large factor in considering options
  2. Our patrons – folks like you who “invest” in what we do and where we do it.  Buying tickets and making donations, because hopefully we provide you an experience that is entertaining enough to entice you back, again and again, and…
  3. And finally, our volunteers – the 100s of people (350 or so last season) who give/donate extraordinary amounts of time and resources to the OLT, because they consider it a wonderful facility, and it enables them to do what they love to do – create unforgettable theatrical experiences (hopefully)

For those of you who don’t know, the OLT is a fully amateur, non-for-profit community theatre.  The basic premise of “community” theatre is exactly that: the only skills and competencies that receive fiscal remuneration are the ones which can’t be found volunteering in the community.  A good plumber might be an example, given the leak I pointed out earlier – we have no choice but bring in that particular skill ASAP via a paid contract; unless we can convince a professional plumber to provide the service for free, because she loves theatre!

So, although it probably goes without saying to folks reading this, volunteers are the foundation of community theatre because they don’t get paid, and don’t want to get paid – most of them already have jobs, or might be going to school, or retired, whatever. The key point is they have time volunteer and they make that time available to the OLT, to do what they love to do, for the love of the theatre – true amateurs. We have volunteers in every role in the theatre from designers, to administrators, to folks on, in-front and behind the stage.  Not having to pay these people means that we have the resources to take care of “this old house” and have some resiliency in the time of crises.

Volunteerism was the premise this theatre was founded on 107 years ago by the Canadian Federation of University Women.  And, this latest crisis has certainly given us pause to be thankful for that premise.

Further, we need to honour our patrons.  We are somewhat insulated from the current crisis (at least for the near term), because we have such devoted subscribers and donors.  So, we don’t have to compete with other theatres for grant funding from the province or Feds.  We don’t have to compete with them for sponsor support.  We are able do things our way due to the legacy of our wonderful patrons.  As some wise person once said “It’s hard to love, support, belong to, donate to, volunteer or advocate for an organization that only sees you as a customer – an organization more interested in the money you represent than in the gift of your presence.” To be sustained, relationships need to be good for both parties. A community isn’t just an audience. And a community theatre isn’t just place, it is your place.

So maybe I can stand down on the need to leverage this crisis through some kind of “transformation.” Maybe instead, it has shown us the value in our roots – true amateurism and valuing our patrons!  We just have to keep doing that better.

A final thought during turbulent times: When asked what he thought of Western civilization, Mahatma Gandhi famously replied, “I think that would be a good idea.”  Canada has performed well during the COVID crisis because of our social contract, the bonds of community, the trust for each other and our institutions. There is strength and resonance in social relations and the bonds of reciprocity that connect all people in common purpose. That kind of describes our theatre…

Wow, that got very philosophical towards the end there.  Bottom line to this message, we love doing what we do for you, and we love you for loving what we do!  We can’t wait to get back, and welcome all of you back to our house and our community.  Hold on to your tickets and we’ll be making good on our production promises to you real soon!!

Stay well and take care of each other – see you shortly, I hope.
– Geoff