The show must go on: How you can help keep community theatre thriving in Elora
The Elora Community Theatre provides a welcoming space where creativity and community meet
For over 50 years, the magic of live theatre has been flourishing in our community.
Since 1973, the Elora Community Theatre has been transforming residents into extraordinary storytellers, creating bonds that extend far beyond the stage lights.
“It’s all about the collaboration that occurs when you do theatre,” said Deb Stanson, who has been with the organization since 1987 and now serves as president. “Everyone getting together for one common goal – to put together the vision of the playwright into performance and onto the stage.”
When the Elora Community Theatre (ECT) first opened its curtains in January 1973, it was one of the only villages in southern Ontario to support its own amateur theatre group.
The group’s commitment to community arts deepened in the early 1980s when they formed a partnership with Fergus’s abandoned Grand Theatre. ECT became the first organization to breathe life back into the former movie house, making crucial physical improvements and staging the building’s first performance in 1981.
Today, after more than 75 productions, the theatre group remains one of the venue’s principal users.
How you can help
What makes being a part of ECT so rewarding isn’t just the quality of their productions – it’s the lasting relationships built in rehearsal rooms and workshops.
“Some of my best friends are people I met through the Elora Community Theatre,” Stanson shared, highlighting a benefit that extends beyond opening night applause.
“It’s such a wonderful group of people,” she continues. “I love the fact that it’s called a community theatre, because it’s about the community and for the community.”
You can support the Elora Community Theatre with the simple act of buying a ticket, but the organization offers multiple ways for community members to contribute. Its spirit of inclusion creates opportunities for everyone, whether you dream of centre stage or prefer working behind the scenes building sets, managing lighting or handling marketing.
Annual membership costs just $15 and includes a monthly newsletter keeping members informed about auditions, volunteer opportunities and upcoming events. For local businesses, sponsorship opportunities and in-kind donations help ensure productions continue year after year.
The group’s commitment to excellence shines through in productions like their upcoming The Three Musketeers, running May 1-3 and 8-10 at the Fergus Grand Theatre. Under director Catherine Johnston’s guidance, the cast members have spent months rehearsing, even working with a professional fight choreographer to master the action.
“The show is going to be phenomenal. I highly recommend coming out to see it.,” Stanson said.
After five decades of bringing stories to life, Elora Community Theatre continues proving that the smallest communities can create the biggest impact when people come together around shared passion.
For tickets and volunteer opportunities, you can visit their website.
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By Zaafina Naqvi, Community Cares team, EloraFergusToday.com
