Valentine's Day Message: 2024 Donations extended to February 28, 2025! -

“Sergius, I think we two have found the higher love.

When I think of you, I feel that I could never do a base deed, or think an ignoble thought..”

– Raina, Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man

Dear Lovers of Theatre!

On this special day dedicated to love, we’re thinking of what that word means beyond the standard Hallmark card sentiments. Of course, there’s the interpersonal love we search for and hopefully find in partnered relationships, with our parents, our children and extended families. Then there is the beloved community of which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke so eloquently, the always timely notion that we actually can live together in a respectful circle of harmony and mutual assistance, while quieting the noisy voices of discord, despair, and destruction. (Did we mention tariffs?)

In times such as these, we believe, as the legendary performer Vanessa Redgrave says, “I think the theatre is as essential to civilization as safe, pure water.”

What better way to heal wounds and generate dialogue and understanding than by sharing our stories in a welcoming environment where we ask questions without shouting judgments, where we laugh collectively at the absurdities of our lives, and where our hearts are touched by the stories of those overcoming obstacles we can all recognize in our daily lives?

It is that opportunity to bring us together in the sacred theatrical space – where we recognize our commonalities and learn how to address our differences – that drives our burning passion to embrace and produce theatre.

But at a time of economic austerity where global greed and government cutbacks have sadly placed the arts at the bottom of the list of priorities, we believe it is more vital than ever to keep pushing back against the tide that denies our common bonds and the best of our shared humanity.

And as we push back, we are heartened and blessed as always to connect with audiences like you who have supported us through the years by attending, donating, volunteering, and taking part in the magical process of theatre.

On this Valentine’s Day, we invite you to make a tax deductible contribution that, up until the end of February, can still be applied to your 2024 tax return. With your donation, you will be supporting our exciting work with:

a new generation playwrighting circle (staged readings for which are scheduled for later this year)
the development of a brand new Canadian cold war mystery thriller that will peel back the layers on a long-forgotten but significant moment when events in Ottawa changed the world
our ongoing training and development of new theatrical talents
our continuing work to create and stage new plays focused on the joys and challenges faced by seniors (see below).

Thank you as always for your magnificent support. Let’s stick together during this challenging time.

With gratitude,
Laurel and Matthew

Laurel Smith, Artistic Producer
Matthew Behrens, Associate Producer

PS: Please mark your calendars for the upcoming production of A Circle of Time, a new play by Laurel Smith based on our Seniors Sharing Stories project.

The play will be staged on March 26 and 27 at 2pm and 7pm at the Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre. Tickets will go on sale March 1, 2025.

PHOTO CREDITS:

ARMS AND THE MAN: By Bernard Shaw, Directed by Laurel Smith, Actors: Lindsay Robinson and Lana Sugarman.

CANDIDA: By Bernard Shaw, Directed by Laurel Smith, Actors: Dana Fradkin, Sean Jacklin

A CIRCLE OF CARE: Written and directed by Laurel Smith, Actors: Angela Pelly, Joanne Veillette, Deborah Bolton