KIRKLAND LAKE - From a new roof to sold-out performances, Kirkland Lake’s historic theatre has made significant progress this year, says its artistic director.
In April, the LaSalle Theatre secured second place in the National Trust for Canada’s The Next Great Save competition, winning a $10,000 prize.
In addition to this funding, the local 100 Women Who Care group, built of female volunteers committed to making a change in the Kirkland Lake region, donated over $11,000 to the theatre.
The money was used to replace the theatre’s roof.
The LaSalle Theatre was built in 1939 and is one of the last four remaining streamline moderne art deco theatres in Canada. The others are located in Saskatoon and Toronto.
For years, the theatre faced significant weather-related issues, with rain sometimes leaking onto the stage or flooding backstage areas, said artistic director Michael Rawley.
“To have people recognize that after all the hard work we’ve put in over the last 11 years, that we’re a viable entity, it’s incredible,” he said.
SEE: Lights, camera, jackpot: Kirkland Lake theatre wins $10K in national competition
Rawley appreciates the financial support and even had a chance to meet with the women’s group in October.
“These women are committed and passionate,” he said.
The theatre is now focused on other necessary improvements.
“We still need new doors, we need new seats, and we need to replaster the inside, especially where the rain and snow came in,” Rawley said.
In addition to the donations, Rawley mentioned how the increased visibility and recognition have helped build legitimacy for the theatre’s ongoing efforts.
“With everything that went on, I feel more confident approaching potential donors for further projects,” he said.
The theatre has also seen a positive shift in audience attendance. This year, it successfully staged four plays, all of which sold out, Rawley said.
“I think people are starting to see the value and benefit of what's going on and what we're providing for the community,” he said.
“Two years ago, we'd be up in the lighting booth looking down at the audience and we'd start cheering when the 20th person walked in. Now, we’re seeing 100 to 120 people coming.”
Rawley hopes that the theatre’s audience could grow by five to 10 per cent over the next year.
In 2025, Rawley said the theatre plans to continue offering a full season of programming, with at least four new plays.
“The kids have got lists of shows they want to do. They keep presenting me with ideas,” he said.
“One of the funny things I find is hugging everybody … on opening night and having them whisper in my ear, ‘Do you know what the next show is?’ It shows the passion and they're interested and they're engaged, so that's fantastic.”
