Sudbury Theatre Centre 'looking for allies' to help with fundraising

Sudbury Theatre Center Board president Gerry Copeman is hoping that 45 years after the arts institution was founded, the community comes together to "believe in it" once again.

The centre is inviting influential people in the city to discuss fundraising ideas today, while staff adjusts in the wake of recent departures by director Caleb Marshall and general manager Scott Florence.

Marshall and Florence's salaries, Copeman said, pushed the financial limits of the centre.

"They recognized they were the highest paid employees of the organization," he said. "They acknowledged it would be better if we restructure...to a one person position which would be an artistic producer."

"They voluntarily suggested to us that we would want to reconsider their positions, and they took their leave."

The STC's 'particular crunch'

The STC needs just over $1million each year to operate, Copeman said. He addsthat money comes from a variety of sources, including government grants, ticket sales and fundraising.

He's hoping for around $200,000 to "help them through this particular crunch."

This is the first time the theatre has brought together a group like this to come up with fundraising strategies.

"You know, we're not talking of closing the theatre," saysCopeman. "We're not about dying, we're about creating."

This past season, the theatre staged more productions to help diversify its audience.That effort did bring in more young people.

• STC begins search for new director after Caleb Marshall announces departure

• Sudbury Theatre Centre and library team up to offer free tickets

Copemansays to continue with the diversity plan and keep growing theaudience, the STCneeds to keep itsmomentum going with more productions.

Copemancalls the upcoming season very extensive.

That translates into more fundsneeded.

"We're talking of finding ways to make sure that we continue to do the good work that we do. We're looking for allies to come and put their efforts in with us," said Copeman.

"We're just saying to people who believe in theatre in Sudbury, if we're going to be that kind of a theatre, then step up to the plate and work with us."

A tale of two theatres

The theatre's struggles come at a time when another cultural centre seems awash with money.

Sudbury's Place des Arts has received another $5 million towards its plan for a new Francophone performing arts building. This on top of the $3.5 million from the province in May.

• Places des Arts gets provincial $5 million boost
• Sudbury's Place des Arts gets $3.5M from province

Copeman said seeing other groups receive large amounts of funding creates more opportunities for the STC.

"It's an opportunity for us to say 'we're here, and we need your support in a concerted and energetic way.'"