written and submitted by Peter Schalk
President, Cranbrook Community Theatre Society
2021? Well, let’s look back.
As we enter the New Year and reflect over the Christmas holiday period, we at the Cranbrook Community Theater (CCT) have made our list and checked it twice and have found that 2021 has been as naughty as 2020.
This has not stopped us from working hard to keep our Heritage Building in shape and, of course, to present theatre.
What have we accomplished? Well, in January we repaired our Studio floors and started a campaign to increase our membership with a “Bring a Buddy” to honor Bud Abbott. This successful campaign helped focus attention on the CCT, theatre, membership and belonging.
In February we signed a contract with Heritage BC, The Regional District of East Kootenay, and the Province of BC to renovate the “Theatre Proper.” This is a project we have been working on for the last 2 years. Since we received grants totaling about $200,000, we were able to renovate the theatre with improved safety, upgraded electrical, sound, lights, carpet, paint, and heritage features.
Our success in receiving a Non Profit Tech Grant from the Columbia Basin Trust gave us upgraded technical equipment and technology. CCT productions can now be streamed, when licensing permits, and our audience will have an enhanced experience as a result of the upgrades.
THEN…we were able to open the theatre and show our first production of 2021! The Shape of a Girl, directed by Amy Penney, featured Jelena Jensen and Cheyanne Kneller.
SO… what is in the future for the CCT in 2022? Two new productions are coming, The Aliens (February) and Tuesdays With Morrie (April/May). We are hoping for full capacity allowed back in the theatre.
Heritage Grants? Maybe.
Renters coming back to the Studio Stage Door? Absolutely!
Theatre, for sure!!
Whatever the future holds, we will continue as forty-seven other Boards have done before us. We will remember the past and look forward to the future.