A Lake of Bays church is taking to the stage to raise money.
Pioneer Memorial Church has partnered with theatre company Dot the T Productions to raise $13,000 to replace its two aging furnaces.
Jan Jacklin, Artistic Director of Dot the T, says they’ll put on a series of stage shows through 2024, with $10 from every ticket sold—regardless of price— going directly to the replacement fund. “I think with all of that, just for this year, we will get them $13,000,” she says.
Jacklin says she pitched the idea to Reverend Meg Jordan, a fellow theatre enthusiast, after walking into the “unassuming” building for the first time.
“My perception was that it was this tiny, little place, no space to swing a cat, and I walked into the hall and I immediately went “oh my gosh, this is a theatre’,” says Jacklin. “This is a beautiful, intimate space that would easily sit 50 people, there is a kitchen, space for a staging area, high ceilings.”
According to Jacklin, the first show will be “Shirley Valentine,” an award-winning one-woman show about a middle-aged woman in a stale marriage going on a surprise trip to Greece, running from Feb. 29 to Mar. 3. She says it’s a “heartwarming comedy,” and audiences can expect to both laugh and get choked up.
“The general theme is marriage, and how we lose ourselves when we get married sometimes,” says Jacklin. “It’s an amazing one-woman show. First of all, the artistry of watching one actor perform 15 characters on stage. And in an intimate space like this, it’s something to see.”
Tickets are $40 at the door, or by e-transfer to dotthet@yahoo.com. Jacklin adds you can also donate directly to Pioneer Memorial.
Jacklin adds she hopes the theatre series will also show people what a great venue the church is.
“If they’ve never experienced theatre, this is the show to come and see. It will win you over. If it’s the only time you ever go to theatre, come and see this show,” says Jacklin. “Hopefully it will expose them to other committees or organizations throughout the community to utilize these buildings—beautiful old buildings.”
