MAINSTAGE ’99 Financial Success, Too!
Theatre BC’s annual provincial theatre festival was not only an enjoyable
experience for participants and patrons alike, but proved to be a huge financial success,
as well. The Festival’s closing financial statement showed a surplus of $27,000, just
the fiscal boost that Theatre BC needed to close out the 1998/99 season. A huge vote of
thanks to the MAINSTAGE Chair, Michael Patton, the Host Organizing Committee and
approximately 150 volunteers, as well as the hard work and dedication of event
fundraisers, Robbie McAfee and Audrey Plecas.MBNA Canada
MasterCard® paying dividends
Theatre BC received its first quarterly royalty cheque on the new Theatre BC
MasterCards® this summer and the affinity credit card program is growing. Thank you to
everyone who has applied in support of TBC. We expect this to be a substantial regular
contribution to TBC‘s budget. Also, stay tuned for more big news in support of
Theatre BC from MBNA Canada™ in the next issue.
TBC Gaming License Granted.
Theatre BC’s application for a ‘Direct Charitable Access to Gaming
Revenue’ license was approved in August for the 1999/2000 season. This new Gaming
License format will provide financial support towards TBC’s Events and Operations, as
well as Zone activities such as Regional Workshops, Theatre Instructor Tours and Zone
Festivals. This is a big step forward for our organization, especially for those Zones
that did not previously have access to Casino funds. Theatre BC will submit one
application annually on behalf of all its Events and Zones.
New Play Festival Moves to Kamloops!
A new partnership with Western Canada Theatre will see the National Playwriting
Competition’s ‘New Play Festival’ component move to Kamloops (April 7-9,
2000), providing an annual workshop opportunity in the Southern Interior. For details, see
article3.
BC Arts Council Sponsors ARTS WEEK
"Outside The Lines", the province's first celebration of BC's arts &
culture takes place November 1-7, as numerous events throughout BC will showcase the
creativity of our community. The BC Arts Council is taking this initiative to encourage a
greater public awareness of the contribution made by the arts and culture community to the
success of our society. Check out the Arts Week website at www.bcartsweek.com for
details, including events listings, extensive arts and culture website links and your
chance to vote for your favourite BC artist in the "Celebration of BC Artists".
BC Festival of the Arts/TBC partnership
Last Spring TBC's South Island Zone Festival and the BC Festival of the Arts, which
ran concurrently in Victoria last May, worked out a partnership deal to enhance both
events. Sandy Mayzell of the BCFA's NextStage theatre program and TBC's Robb Mowbray would
like to build on this cooperative effort with a Regional Workshop Program partnership. A
potential target region is the Kootenay Zone, as the BCFA will be in Nelson, May 26-June
3, 2000. Stay tuned for developments in the next issue and on our website at
www.TheatreBC.org. Check out the BC Festival of the Arts site at www.bcfestivalofthearts.bc.ca
Theatre BC offers 3-year option on Memberships
Starting this Fall, you can now have the option of purchasing your Theatre BC Club Card
membership for 1 or 3 years. A laminated cardboard version of the Club Card will be issued
for 1-year memberships and the current plastic credit card-type Club Card will be issued
for 3-year memberships. This will make the Club Cards more cost efficient. Those
purchasing the 3-year option will save $5 plus GST on fees (and no need to worry about
renewal for three years). It is TBC's intent that the fees for the second and third years
will be placed in a deferred revenue account, where interest will reclaim some of the $5
discount. This fund could potentially be used to guarantee TBC's Line of Credit and/or be
available to purchase Club Card stock for the following season, ensuring a constant
supply. It will also ease some of the workload on the office staff. To become a member of
Theatre BC, go to our online registration form.
Club Card Sponsor Update
Speaking of Club Cards, the Belfry Theatre in Victoria has increased its discount
for TBC Club Card-holders to 25%. Nanaimo's Theatre One has also joined the ranks
of professional regional theatres offering a TBC Club Card discount. MAINSTAGE '99 leaves
a Club Card legacy in downtown Nanaimo as many of the merchants that honored the Club Card
during the Festival have agreed to continue this offer perpetually. For a list of
merchants in Nanaimo honoring the Club Card, check out the MAINSTAGE section of the
Theatre BC website. If you are in downtown Nanaimo, look for the Club Card decal at
participating merchants.
New Clubs Join Theatre BC
The 1999/2000 season is off to a great start with several new Member Clubs and inquiries
for Club Membership packages. The Okanagan Zone welcomes new Clubs, the Rainbow
Productions Society--Kwim'cxen' Theatre Players and 21st Century Cats.
Vancouver Zone welcomes Theatre In The Raw. A membership package was also requested
by Mercury Players of Duncan in the South Island Zone. We look forward to welcoming
this new group to Theatre BC as well.
WebSite Update
Look for our first Member Club site at the Theatre BC domain in the next few weeks. If
your Club is interested in having a web site at the Theatre BC address, contact TBC now.
We are also looking for advertisers for our website, which now receives
over 20,000 hits a month and climbing.
Send Bulletin entries to info@theatrebc.org
or submit online at www.TheatreBC.org/press/BltnForm.htm |
