Bard to Broadway theatre company is in the black for the first time in five years, and that fact has the society’s president pretty happy.
The summer theatre company moved back to Qualicum Beach this year, after three seasons in Parksville (and the previous nine in QB), cut their program from four plays to two and found a hospitable host in Echo Players at their Village Theatre. B2B president Don Harper said it was a phenomenal year for the society, in terms of audience numbers.
“Our total was around 91 per cent capacity,” Harper said, “That’s unheard of for community theatre.”
He added that following the first 10 days if the season, each show sold out — a groundswell of support from the community.
“We seemed the make the right decisions in the shows we put on (Murdered to Death and Anne of Green Gables, the musical). They were very popular.”
B2B’s goal of putting on the best plays they can paid off this year. Harper said they were able to pay off last year’s deficit and leave a little cash in the bank for next season. That’s thanks to the quality of the plays, the actors and the people behind the scenes, securing sponsors, grants and fundraising. Not to mention being there to ensure the shows go on.
Yes, the B2B season was shorter this year, but that will change a bit in 2012, when the season runs from June 18 to August 19, said Harper. The added time will allow them to run their youth theatre program at the Village Theatre, instead of an off site location.
While B2B’s artistic direction committee figures there will be two (perhaps three) plays on offer in 2012, Harper said those titles have not yet been chosen. Selections, he continued, will correspond with the acting talent on offer and overall resources available.
Short-term, Harper said B2B will stay at Village Theatre. They made the move this year because, he said, they were hit with a 68 per cent rent increase at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre. Long-term, that will come down to decisions made by the board and Echo Players. He said, however, they are happy with the Qualicum Beach venue.
Will Bard to Broadway shows ever be seen in a big, white tent (as they were for nine years in QB) again? Harper doubts it.
“I guess you can never say never, but that’s not on people’s minds right now.
“Right now, it’s the brightest future I’ve seen in my six years with Bard to Broadway.”
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