STC STORY

The first stumbling steps in the life of Sudbury Theatre Centre were the direct result of The Awkward Stage, a book that reported the findings of a 1967 theatre study funded by the Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts. The publication recommended Sudbury as the most likely site for a permanent professional theatre. Despite initial resistance, five local individuals were eager to support the trial. Each knew that the establishment of a resident professional organization was the next step in the flourishing theatrical activities being conducted by amateur and school groups.

Those five champions – Sonja Dunn, Carolyn Fouriezos, Bill Hart, Bob Remnant and Peg Roberts – undertook the daunting task of raising enough money for a production of Neil Simon’s Come Blow Your Horn. The production ran at Laurentian University’s Fraser Auditorium and was financially and artistically successful. Encouraged by this success, the committee decided to move further down the path of establishing a professional theatre. Letters patent incorporating Sudbury Theatre Centre were granted on September 14, 1971.

By the mid 1970s, season subscriptions had tripled, and an increasing number of performances were sold out. Now was the time to lay plans for a home of our own! In July 1981, the sod was turned. Season subscriptions rose to 3,000 with sell-out houses for every performance. STC’s production of The Sound of Music shattered box-office records with an attendance of 17,000. The curtain finally rose on the 1982 season in a brand new facility – not just a fine building where plays are performed, but a living entity brought to life with dedication, determination and dreams.

Countless professionals have shared the spotlight or engaged their behind-the-scenes expertise since our humble beginnings.

MANDATE

Sudbury Theatre Centre’s purpose is to entertain, educate, enlighten, engage and invigorate its audience through the creation and presentation of top-quality local, national and international professional theatrical productions. Sudbury Theatre Centre teaches and develops awareness, appreciation and practice of the art of theatre as a dynamic leader in the cultural life of the City of Greater Sudbury and the region as well as a leading force in the Canadian theater industry.

STC BOARD OF GOVERNORS

PATRICIA MEEHAN, Co-President
JOHN DOW, Co-President
MARY ANNE FRASER, Vice-President
PHILIP SPAGNOLO JR., Treasurer
TESSA BALAZ, Secretary
HELEN GHENT, Director
BRIAN KOIVU, Director
MONTANA McCULLOCH, Director
DAVID ANSELMO, Member at Large