Julien Gignac Centretown News
David Whiteley attributes much of Gladstone Theatre’s success to volunteers.Theatre is thriving in Ottawa and The Gladstone is leading the way with diverse shows and more visitors than ever.
David Whiteley, season co-ordinator at The Gladstone, says he’s seen remarkable growth over the past season and expects it to continue.
Planning for the 2015-2016 season is challenging. With an influx of productions, Whiteley says he has to look at extending the season, cutting run times or cancelling some of his own shows with his group, Plosive Productions.
“For the first time ever I’m looking at next season and going ‘I don’t know if I have space for everyone,’ ” he says.
Whiteley also says attendance numbers have soared, jumping 47 per cent from 2013 to 2014. Much of this, he explains, comes from the variety of shows and companies the theatre hosts.
Phoenix Players, an all-volunteer community theatre group based at The Gladstone, also had an excellent year. President and founder Ellen Clare O’Gallagher says she is very pleased with their achievements in the past season.
“Our goal was 1,200 people,” O’Gallagher explains. “We’ve got 1,300 and 1,500 out to the last two plays.”
Still, local theatre is not a lucrative business, no matter the attendance numbers, Whiteley says. “We’re able to just squeak by and break even.” Unlike major theatre companies, who may have donations and grants to support their work, small groups rely more on box office sales to support their performances. ”
Money was an issue for Phoenix Players.
Using The Gladstone as a venue and applying for grants allowed Phoenix Players the means to do what they love.
Peter Honeywell, executive director at the Ottawa Arts Council, says grant applications are a competitive area for local theatre. However, he says there may be ways to help groups who want to obtain grants.
“We might try looking at something that’s a little bit more of a theatre or performing arts umbrella, which can really help them out with their administration and promotional roles,” he explains. A program like this could give small groups, like those at The Gladstone, the ability to perform more or bigger shows.
O’Gallagher says she believes The Gladstone team is a big part of the growth of local theatre.
“They are at the centre of this success story and they are downright nice people to boot,” she says.
Whiteley attributes much of The Gladstone’s success to volunteers and patrons and says he continues to focus on the community.
“I don’t want to just be artists working for artists’ sake,” he explains. “I want what we produce to be produced for people who want it.”