Construction begins By Don Bourgeois President, J.M. Drama Construction has begun on The Registry Theatre. The first performances are scheduled for January 2001. Anticipation is reaching new heights as we see the realization of our dream. Help with the finishing touches The major renovations are to be completed by the end of November. In December, J.M. Drama moves in take care of the finishing details. We could use your help with tasks such as painting. Meeting a cultural need The Registry Theatre is the result of hard work by our members and strong support from the City of Kitchener and the community. Several studies over the last few years have strongly recommended that a community performing arts centre be created to meet the existing need for performance and rehearsal space and to allow for growth. The Registry Theatre is a much-needed addition to the community^Òs performing arts facilities. A partnership J.M. Drama is leasing the Registry building from the City of Kitchener and is responsible for renovating it into The Registry Theatre. The Walter Fedy Partnership designed the theatre and has provided ongoing support to J.M. Drama. The City of Kitchener- councillors and staff- have been instrumental in bringing about The Registry Theatre. J.M. Drama, however, has taken the lead in moving this project along and will be responsible for managing it as a community facility. A community theatre The Registry Theatre is intended to be a community performing arts facility -and as such, will have its own identity. The Registry Theatre logo will become well-known over the next few years in the arts and culture community. Reasonable rates The Registry Theatre will be available to community groups, schools, professional performers and groups, for City programs and for other related uses. In order to ensure that it is truly a community performing arts facility, rental rates will be very affordable at $125 per day. This rate is up to 75% less than other comparable facilities. An excellent facility The facility includes a black box theatre space, lobby, rehearsal hall/dressing rooms and ancillary spaces. The black box theatre is 40' X 60' X 16' and will provide an intimate and exciting performance space. The seating and stage will be flexible. Depending upon configuration, the theatre can seat 200. The rehearsal hall, on the lower level, is 20' X 40' and will double as a dressing room during performances. The lower level will also hold J.M. Drama^Òs offices, storage and construction areas. A heritage building The Registry Theatre is more than a community performing arts facility. It is also a heritage building and protected under the Ontario Heritage Act. The Walter Fedy Partnership and J.M. Drama took great strides to ensure that important heritage features were protected - the terrazzo floor, vestibule, windows - sometimes at considerable additional costs. Costs and grants Speaking of costs, the total renovations, adaptive re-use and equipping has cost J.M. Drama almost $500,000. We have received the strong financial support from the City of Kitchener ($90,000 in grant, loan of $224,000) and from the federal Millennium Bureau of Canada ($94,000). In addition, there was a grant of $5,600 from the provincial government - small, but welcomed. J.M. Drama has provided $75,000 in equipment and is paying for design and related costs. We need your help We are developing a fund-raising campaign and hope you will help us with a donation. Of course, if you would like to make a first instalment on your donation before the end of the year, it will be very gratefully received. Inaugural production and gala opening So much for the pitch. J.M. Drama also wants to invite you to Wait Until Dark, our inaugural production at The Registry Theatre - January 23 to 27, 2001. January 27 will be the official gala opening and more information will be available closer to the big event. Pleased to be involved J.M. Drama is pleased to be involved in The Registry Theatre. We believe that it will have an immediate benefit on our community and has potential for great things in the future. Our community needs this type of facility to grow the arts, to help with economic development and downtown revitalization and for the fun of it. We could not have come this far, though, without the strong support of the City, of our funders and, of course, of our members. See you soon! I look forward to seeing you in January 2001 - either on stage, backstage or in the audience. P.S. - Please call me at 519-893-1564 if you have any questions about The Registry Theatre. Annual General Meeting December 3, 2000 2 p.m. at The Registry Theatre BINGO! Bingo continues to be our main source of funding for our ongoing operations. Our trusted crew of Bingo Buddies could use some help at the bi-weekly Saturday morning bingos and occasional evening games. To join in the fun or to receive more information, contact Deb Hoch at 741-0642.
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