The Sanderson Centre is our theatre

On Wednesday evening, the Sanderson Centre opened its doors and invited the public to stop by and talk theatre. This is the second year that the Programming Committee of the Management Board has sought public input to help shape the season of performances presented by the Sanderson Centre. Last year’s open house, and the input shared at the event, had a tremendous impact on the success of the 2011 season planning process. I expect this year’s session will have just as much of an impact, possibly more. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with the attendees, and we were once again pleased with the results, the conversation and the ideas.

Beyond the opportunity to answer questions and solicit candid feedback, it was also a first step towards a greater vision. A vision I personally believe in, and one that is shared by the volunteer members of the board, staff, theatre volunteers and those who attended. Our shared vision is simply that it’s “our theatre”, and by “our”, we mean everyone.

At a retreat a few weeks ago to complete planning for our upcoming year, board member Bob MacLean summed up what many of us were feeling but were having trouble expressing. He said he wanted the whole community to embrace the theatre as “our theatre”. These words really stuck with me. “Our theatre”, an open, transparently operated, fiscally responsible and sustainable business. “Our theatre”, a place where magic happens and memories are made. “Our theatre”, where everyone is welcome to perform or simply enjoy the show. “Our theatre”, the natural home of a vibrant arts community. “Our theatre”, a monument to our rich cultural past and a treasure that is ours to steward, protect and enrich for our children.

“Our theatre” is a worthy vision for the Sanderson Centre not only to aspire too, but also to achieve. To that end, we as an organization need to demonstrate a commitment to fulfilling our vision in everything that we do. Our first act was to throw open the doors and let the public in to have their say. We came together to talk about programming, but we really ended up talking about every topic imaginable; from our budget, to how we contract artists. Tough questions were asked and we as a Board endeavoured to answer with a degree of frankness and openness that, I believe, pleasantly surprised those in attendance.

What did we accomplish then? Well, a lot more than even I could have ever imagined. My favourite moment of the evening was when I mentioned that I personally would love to see Gilbert & Sullivan performed once again in the theatre, to which Philip Sarabura from the Brantford Symphony responded that he knew where an excellent Orchestra could be found. Then Peter Muir from Brant Theatre Workshops jumped in with a comment that he knew of an excellent theatre company that could perform it. These initial tongue-in-cheek comments began to turn into serious discussions. Others then started to add their own ideas. The arts community began to collaborate!

I believe partnership, not competition, is the key to overcoming the barriers to success that many individual arts organizations are experiencing. That includes the Sanderson Centre as well. Watching this frank discussion, and the organic and collaborative exchange of ideas as they unfolded, made all the hours I have poured into volunteering at the theatre instantly worthwhile. We have a vision, now it’s time to ensure we perform! It’s our theatre, and I for one can hardly wait to see what we as a community do with it.

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

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