It’s Giving Tuesday, a day to give-back after the flurry of Black Friday-Cyber Monday. While the economy is hitting everyone, non-profit organizations especially feel the pinch as people tighten their budgets.
There are a great many worthy organizations to put your support behind, this year perhaps think about supporting a local theatre company, to help ensure that live theatre continues to provide thought-provoking or joyous escapes to a world presented on stage.
Your support could be a tax-deductible donation or purchasing gift certificates for upcoming shows as a holiday gift making it doubly worthwhile – every option helps ensure live theatre has a home.
The following are just a few of the local theatre companies bringing live performances to audiences:
The Arts Club Theatre Company: Now in the midst of its Holiday Campaign, the Arts Club presents professional live theatre from three Vancouver stages. As well, it champions and creates new works, provide educational and playwriting workshop programs.
Gateway Theatre: Richmond’s hub for theatre, Gateway Theatre produces professional live theatre, provide theatre education programs, and maintain venue rentals for the community.
Firehall Arts Centre: Since 1982 Downtown Eastside’s Firehall Arts Centre and the Firehall Theatre Society has been a cultural hub and community resource. Whether its financial or giving of your time to volunteer your support helps Firehall donate tickets to social service organizations, provide subsidized performance and rehearsal space to community and professional arts groups.
Metro Theatre: For over 60 years, Metro Theatre has been a community heart of South Vancouver’s Marpole neighbourhood. Producing high-quality comedies, mysteries, musicals and its beloved traditional Panto celebrating its 40th year. Founded by a collective of local theatre groups, Metro has been the launch pad for many artists who have gone on to professional careers in theatre, film and television.
The Cultch: For over 50 years, The Cultch has been a cultural centre in East Vancouver, creating programming that amplifies voices through unique, edgy and vibrant theatre, with a dose of dance, contemporary circus, puppets and Pantos.
Vancouver Opera: The largest professional opera company in Western Canada is acclaimed for its artistic excellence on stage, educational programs and innovative free community collaborations and performances.
Presentation House Theatre: Presentation House Theatre has long been committed to building its North Shore community through live performing arts, and offering support to adult artists, educators and caregivers, seniors and Indigenous communities through a diverse range of programs.
Western Gold Theatre: One of only two professional theatre companies in Canada solely devoted to highlighting the voices and stories of seniors and Elders (55+) across cultures and communities.
As well, Western Gold also mentors emerging professional artists of all ages, experiences, and communities providing intergenerational and intercultural sharing.