By Cheryl Jahn

CAC to run Prince George Playhouse

Sep 10, 2024 | 2:37 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – It was three years ago this month that the City committed half a million dollars to repair the exterior cladding of the Prince George Playhouse, which had been damaged by the weather. At the time, the City was also looking for someone else to run it. And, today, that “someone” is the Community Arts Council.

“Well, first of all, it’s the only civic theatre Prince George has,” says Eli Klasner, Executive Director for the Arts Council. “And while it’s long in the tooth and it’s gone through quite a few physical challenges and management issues, it’s what we have.”

And to make the most of what they have, Shelby Richardson has been brought on board as the Program Manager.

“We have a lot of comedy tours that are booked through the Playhouse. Dance performances, recitals, those types of things will be happening here at the Playhouse. We’re also going to be doing a lot more workshopping and kind of community development, professional development for the arts community”

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The Community Arts Council joined with the folks at Trinity United Church years ago to re-create the former Knox United Church into a Performance Centre and the two will “play” off one another.

In the meantime, Richardson and crew have been tinkering with the set-up.

“Oh yeah, we are. We are. We’re literally we started with our first residency already with just do up here doing a technical residency, playing with the lights and sound in the venue, seeing the different types of atmosphere and lighting effects that we can make with what’s here in the theater and kind of giving us a great education.”

Bringing the PG Playhouse back to its former glory will be another means by which the Arts Council can make a case for a larger, downtown venue.

“We’re really invested in helping guide the city on what could happen within our downtown civic core as far as a new arts entertainment and sports facility tied into the Civic Center with enhanced conference space and trade show space as well. We’ll continue to advocate for that. But in the meanwhile, this is a tremendous civic asset.”

The first performance in a long time at this facility will be comedian Jon Dore on September 17th.