Lighthouse Festival and Simcoe Little Theatre have come together to secure a vibrant future for the community run theatre. The new relationship will see Lighthouse Festival manage the theatre building, providing resources and leadership in facility upkeep, administration, technical effects and artistic guidance. By leveraging Lighthouse’s resources and facility management experience, local community artists can continue to dream and inspire on the Simcoe Little Theatre stage. The new relationship gives SLT the security to be viable for generations to come so that as a volunteer run organization it may continue to entertain season after season and realize it’s mandate to joyfully create a first-rate community theatre experience for people of all ages and abilities.
“It isn’t often that we have the opportunity to witness, and play a small role in impacting future Arts and Cultural development in our community. But that is exactly what has happened as Simcoe Little Theatre and the Lighthouse Festival have concluded a collaborative agreement, whereby SLT will continue as a Volunteer Community Theatre with the professional assistance and expertise of LFT,” explained Richard Gilbert, SLT President.
“As far as I can tell this will be the first time in Canadian theatre history that a Professional theatre and a Community theatre will have joined forces. I love the idea that we will be making history together,” said Derek Ritschel, Artistic Director for Lighthouse Festival. “By joining forces, Simcoe Little Theatre will be able to leverage Lighthouse’s professional theatre capabilities; and Lighthouse will be able to ensure that Simcoe Little Theatre will be a place for local artists to create and inspire for decades to come. I can’t wait to watch them shine.”
Simcoe Little Theatre has maintained a proud tradition of a community theatre run by the community for the community. Lighthouse could not be more honoured and proud to support and empower all the community artists who will continue to entertain the next generation of theatre lovers.