By Kelli Corscadden
The Great Canadian Theatre Company is hoping to secure plans to re-locate by early spring because it’s “bursting at the seams,” says GCTC spokesperson Sean Fitzpatrick.
“We need a rehearsal hall, dressing rooms — since we have only one for all the actors right now, shops to build on, a bigger lobby to fit more people, a concession area and a bigger box office,” says Fitzpatrick.
The GCTC has looked at several sites for a potential new home in the past eight or nine years including the Elgin Street Theatre. They are currently negotiation with Windmill Development Group, which plans to build a $14-million dollar, 10-storey building at Holland Avenue and Wellington Street.
Fitzpatrick could not comment on specifics but says the GCTC is reviewing whether they can afford the move and is looking into several location possibilities.
Fitzpatrick says GCTC managers would like seating to be expanded to accommodate 260 people — only 30 more seats than the theatre’s 22-year-old home on Gladstone Avenue. He says they don’t want to change the atmosphere because they feel a larger theater would alienate their subscribers.
This year, GCTC sold a record number of subscriptions with more than 3,100 people buying tickets to all six shows and two comedy series, compared to the 2,750 subscriptions last year, says Fitzpatrick.
“Cathy Jones sold out before it even opened. It’s just amazing, the tremendous growth we’re experiencing,” says Fitzpatrick.
And the GCTC isn’t the only theatre feeling the success, says Fitzpatrick. Many Ottawa theatre companies have been enjoying larger audiences.
Honeywell says the entire theatre community across Ottawa is expanding, with new theatre groups like Goya, Third Wall, Vision Theatre, and especially French-language companies, which have been popping up over the last few years.
“It’s a great thing for everyone,” says Robin Riddihough, president of the Ottawa Little Theatre. “The more theatre you put in Ottawa, the more people you get interested in theatre.”
The Ottawa Little Theatre’s sales have been high, but attracting new subscribers has been difficult, says Riddihough, attributing the problem to lack of parking and the unattractive downtown area.
“We are thinking of expanding right now,” says Riddihough. “We need more rehearsal space and storage and workshop space.”
The National Arts Center is also experiencing the boom, says Michel Dozois, a producer at the NAC. The Centre added a fourth stage two years ago and is continuing to enjoy strong sales, he says.
“People are definitely rediscovering the excitement of a live performance,” says Dozois.
sales have been high, but attracting new subscribers has been difficult, says Riddihough, attributing the problem to lack of parking and the unattractive downtown area.
“We are thinking of expanding right now,” says Riddihough. “We need more rehearsal space and storage and workshop space.”
And in order to expand, the theatre needs to keep interest up, says Riddihough.
“We have to compete with the Corel Centre, movie houses. There is a competition to entertain people. I think live theatre can offer people something different,” says Riddihough.
The National Arts Center is also experiencing the boom, says Michel Dozois, a producer at the NAC. The Centre added a fourth stage two years ago and is continuing to enjoy strong sales, he says.
“People are definitely rediscovering the excitement of a live performance,” says Dozois.
He says with the competition of technologies such as digital video imaging, people want a higher quality product for their entertainment dollar.
“I think it’s great that society is finally realizing that artists need to make a living. People are paying more to be entertained but I think the performers are better now,” says Dozois.