Sudbury Theatre Centre celebrates 50 years
The Sudbury Theatre Centre is celebrating a big milestone Sept. 14: its 50th birthday.
Over the years, there have been hundreds of plays and performances and officials said the future looks bright.
On Monday morning, Pandora Topp a Sudbury actress and singer, practised for a performance at the celebration. The doors open at 6:30 Tuesday evening for the free event.
"For any theatre company to reach 50 years is a milestone because so many theatre companies come and go in the blink of a hat," said John McHenry, the artistic director at the STC.
"But to be around for 50 years just shows that the dedication and support that the people of Sudbury have had for STC over the years, it's just fantastic."
The event will also include a slideshow and booking signing of a new book celebrating 50 years of the STC.
"The book that Vicki Gilhula and I have written – 'A Theatre in Five Acts: 50 years of Sudbury Theatre Centre' -- has been both a voyage of discovery and love," said Judi Straughan, a co-author of the book.
"We have uncovered so many great stories we have all of the facts in the book."
Straughan has been involved with the STC since it was incorporated in 1971.
"In our wonderful little mining town of 1971, where no one thought there would culturally be a professional theatre, a brave group of people put together a theatre and it has lasted for 50 years and that is such a milestone," said Straughan.
Officials at the STC said there have been ups and downs over the past half century, and said the No. 1 challenge is ensuring sufficient financial resources are available. But even through the pandemic, they said the STC is on solid ground.
"We are in OK shape," said McHenry.
"Our year end is June the 30 and we are expecting a small surplus from last year. And we have a balanced budget moving forward for this season coming up. So hopefully we are on the right track."
In mid October, the STC will announce its 50th season lineup including four shows. McHenry said they are also working on some special events, including music concerts.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NEWS Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'