A 21st Century Theatre

The Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts has deep roots in our community and is truly one of Brantford’s greatest treasures. Most people in town have some sort of personal connection with the theatre and it’s always wonderful to hear these stories and to what extent our grand old gal has played a significant part in many of our lives. My very first memory of the then Capitol Theatre dates back to 1978 when as a wide eyed five-year-old I sat front-row centre in the balcony to experience Star Wars. Twelve years later in the newly renovated Sanderson Centre, I took my future wife on our first date to see the Second City Players perform. More recently my two-year-old son enjoyed his first performance and by all accounts, the Doodlebops put on an excellent show.

It is because of this profound community and personal connection that I am sincerely honoured to have been entrusted with both the privilege and responsibility of leading the Management Board of the Sanderson Centre as Chairman. The Board is comprised of truly committed volunteers who freely give their time and energy to deliver on a complicated but enormously important mandate, providing concrete overall governance while also ensuring that the theatre continues to be a magical place where music, fun and memories are made.

I believe we stand at an inflection point in the future of our city and of our theatre. An Arts based renaissance is taking place in our community and yet our theatre is running on dated “operating systems” that are in need of an upgrade and a reboot in order for us to become a 21st Century Theatre. We as a community need to embrace this renaissance and it’s challenges and re-imagine our relationship with our theatre. How is it used now and how does that differ from the past? What needs to change to reflect the tastes, interests and passions of the next generation of both artists and patrons? How else can we enjoy this wonderful facility? How do we ensure that our children who dream of one day performing on stage have the opportunity?

We must also come to terms with the fact that the Sanderson Centre is now 91 years old. It is an extremely large and historic 1,125-seat theatre, which is very expensive to operate, maintain and periodically restore. How then do we as a community ensure that the business of the theatre remains financially sustainable, that it continues to be kept up at great and continually escalating costs and yet is affordable and accessible to all?

These are worthy yet difficult challenges that can only be met by a united community. To that end, the Management Board will be launching a number of initiatives over the coming year to engage with, listen to and act on the ideas, thoughts and dreams of our community. Open and transparent consultation addressing such themes as improving community group access, developing a new generation of audiences, financial sustainability and customer service will be at the forefront of these initiatives.

I’d ask that you accept this invitation and opportunity to engage with us at this critical point in our collective history to help deliver the vision and results required to ensure the future of our theatre for generations to come; but also to come out and simply enjoy a show, experience the magic, reconnect with timeless memories and help create some new ones!

An Expositor Guest Column. Kevin Magee is the newly elected Chairman of the Sanderson Centre Management Board. You can find him online at www.kevinmagee.com or on Twitter @kevinamagee

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