President's Report The wait is over! By Don Bourgeois President, J.M. Drama Well, J.M. Drama has certainly started the new century with a bang. The Registry Theatre has been an immediate success with both audiences and users. Indeed, so "hot" is it that the Kitchener Fire Department even came out for the opening - something about the "flames" from Hiretech Systems being too realistic. The Registry Theatre opened on January 23 with the inaugural production of Wait Until Dark - a suspense thriller. It was a good choice to open the theatre. As the contractor kept pushing back the date to turn the building over to us, the suspense built whether or not Allan Hoch could get the finishing touches done in time. It was thrilling to be painting the walls on New Year's eve. In case you have not heard about The Registry Theatre, a bit of background. J.M. Drama has leased the building for 21 years and turned it into a community performing arts centre. At $125 per day, the rental rates are very affordable and demand has been high. To date, Paradox Theatre, Numus, David Earle Foundation, Waterloo Dance Frontier, Canadian Chamber Ensemble, Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, St. Benedict's High School, St. Mary's High School, Brass Act are a few of the users. The Registry building was constructed in 1938-39 by Dunker Construction. It is one of the last Art Deco-style buildings in the area. As a result, it was very important to preserve the heritage features and The Walter Fedy Partnership, our architects and engineers, did an excellent job of designing a theatre that respects the heritage values. We have even added an industrial artefact to the lobby to further recognize the history of this area. J.M. Drama is responsible for paying the $575,000 in renovation and equipment costs. Strong support came from the City of Kitchener, the Musegetes Fund, Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation, Main Street Ontario and Canada Millennium Bureau. But we needed to borrow almost $150,000 to make The Registry Theatre a reality. Had we not done so, the theatre would not have been built and the building likely would have gone to other uses. If you have any questions, please call me at 519-893-1564. Also, don't forget about coming out to a performance at The Registry Theatre - especially to see Snoopy! this August.
If you would like to read our past newsletters please visit our archive.
Members' Dressing Room Regsitry Theatre   Events Calender   Newsletter   Executive   The Plays - A Historical Record
Copyright © 1998 - 2008 J.M. Drama. All rights reserved. Site last updated 15 july 2008.