The Echo Players Theatre Society (EPTS) will celebrate its 50th anniversary this summer.
Colin Lloyd, treasurer of the EPTS, appeared as a delegation at Qualicum Bach council’s regular meeting on March 13, seeking support for the celebration plans and also for plans to apply for grants to support new seating at the Village Theatre.
The society has operated the theatre since 1974. Lloyd told council since taking over the Village Theatre 50 years ago, their group has become an integral component of the cultural institution of Qualicum Beach.
The group seeks support in kind from the town for some of the activities they’re planning to stage, including a gala celebration at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre that will may include skits from some of their greatest hits.
Lloyd said they hope mayor Teunis Westbroek will attend and open the curtains of their first play for their 50th anniversary on Oct. 10 called Cheshire Cats.
As well, they requested permission to hang a banner temporarily from their building’s turret with their 50th anniversary logo as well as display banners from lamp stands in town.
Lloyd also asked for some marketing assistance from the town’s website designers to update information about Echo Players.
“We would appreciate any kind of marketing help from that from that point of view,” said Lloyd.
The society has also launched a fundraising campaign called ‘Take a Seat’, chaired by Ian Morton. The goal is replace the seats in the Village Theatre.
“In our 50-year history, we’ve never actually had new seats,” Morton told council. “They have been borrowed. They have been mended and made do. As we think about our next 50th, we’d like to significantly increase people’s comfort. The campaign is to raise $140,000 which seems daunting but we’re already off to a good start having raised 15 per cent of that total $22,000 in a month on the back of just one email.”
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Morton said they’re seeking seat sponsors to come forward from their members, patrons and season ticket holders.
Westbroek acknowledged the importance of the theatre to the cultural importance of residents in Qualicum Beach.
“Echo Players is a key part of that,” said Westbroek.
Town staff members will prepare a report on the things the society has requested for the 50th anniversary celebration and it will be dealt by council at an upcoming meeting.
Anyone wishing to help with the society’s Take a Seat campaign can visit their website at https://www.echoplayers.ca/take-a-seat.