BACKSTAGE EXCLUSIVE | APRIL 2014
35th SEASON
Just before the season begins, let us take you on a backstage tour...
Lighthouse is strongly devoted to producing Canadian plays, employs the highest possible calibre of artists, continually strives for artistic excellence, provides wonderful opportunities for local youth,
and intends to grow and expand to reach wider audiences. By valuing and producing Canadian theatre,
we intend to bring a sense of joy and pride to our community. Thank you for sharing our vision.
The year was 1980 when The Vaudevillians was first mounted on the Lighthouse stage. While the characters in the play wondered if they could revive Vaudeville, the actors themselves hoped to resurrect live theatre in Port Dover.... and did they ever. Here we are, already in our 35th season, and Lighthouse Festival Theatre is thriving! It is an exciting time.
We're gearing up for a summer-long celebration of the theatre’s 35th anniversary. Over 25 years of creative history are represented among the theatre's five most recent artistic directors - and we have invited each of them to direct a show this season. That's right folks, Robert More, Simon Johnston, Simon Joynes and Chris McHarge are back! This is an extremely unique opportunity to celebrate a milestone year with the visionaries who led us here. We can't wait to show you what they have in store.
This summer, join us in celebrating our history, recognizing our
major contributors, and thoroughly enjoying another summer
full of some of Canada’s finest contemporary theatre.
The landmark “Town Hall” in Port Dover was constructed between 1904 and 1906, with stores on the ground level, a 300-seat town hall auditorium and council chambers above, and what would become an iconic clock in the tower. There is a lot of history in this theatre. There is a lot here that is worthy of preserving.
Our “Fix the Bricks” project was one of the larger renovation undertakings in Lighthouse Festival Theatre history, with the full project costing over $200,000. Thanks to our wonderful supporters, donors and sponsors, we were able to raise almost $50,000 by the end of last season to put toward the expense.
“Lighthouse Festival Theatre is proud to be the steward of this magnificent old building, and of the leadership role it has played maintaining, and now restoring, the clock tower and exterior,” said Artistic Director Derek Ritschel. “Everyone at the theatre wants to ensure that the clock tower remains a vital part of this community now, and into the future.”
Take a look at the clock tower the next time you're here – she looks absolutely beautiful!
FIX THE BRICKS A SUCCESS
!
Pictured above are Mark Candler, Melodee Finlay & Terry Barna in LFT's 2004 remount of The Vaudevillians.