Saskatchewan's Largest Professional Theatre Facility Receives Federal Funding - Government supports Persephone Theatre expansion and renovation

SASKATOON, Feb. 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Persephone Theatre is receiving $387,161 from the Government of Canada to expand and renovate the Remai Arts Centre.

Maurice Vellacott, Member of Parliament (Saskatoon-Wanuskewin), today announced the funding on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages Shelly Glover.

Upgrades to Persephone Theatre's facilities will foster greater artistic creativity and increased opportunities for innovative theatrical presentations. In addition, other local performing arts groups will have greater access to production and rehearsal space.

Quick Facts

• Persephone Theatre is the largest modern professional live theatre facility in Saskatchewan.
• Founded by Janet and Susan Wright and Brian Richmond in 1974, Persephone Theatre will celebrate its 40^th anniversary season in the fall of 2014.
• Funding announced today is provided through the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund. This program of the Department of Canadian Heritage seeks to improve physical conditions for artistic creativity and arts presentation or exhibition. It is also designed to increase access for Canadians to performing arts, visual arts, media arts, museum collections, and heritage displays.
• Specific improvements include:
• reconfiguring the second stage and increasing seating to 160 places from 100
• expanding production space, workshop area, dressing rooms and storage space
• adding a multi-purpose room to use as a theatre school classroom and rehearsal space
• installing specialized equipment, including flexible seating, lighting and sound equipment, stage masking and an assistive system for the hearing impaired

Quotes

"Our Government understands that supporting arts and culture is essential to our communities, our identity and our economy. We are pleased to invest in these important renovations to Persephone Theatre's facilities."
— Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"Persephone Theatre is a leader in Saskatchewan's cultural and artistic community, and the Government of Canada is proud to support the expansion of its facilities. This initiative will help increase opportunities to present outstanding theatre productions to residents of Saskatchewan."
—Maurice Vellacott, Member of Parliament (Saskatoon-Wanuskewin)

"Persephone Theatre is greatly pleased with this incredible show of support for our activities. Our artistic community, patrons, the City of Saskatoon and the province will benefit from this assistance for many years to come. It ensures we continue to be able to provide professional quality productions, accessible theatre, contribute to our incredibly vibrant community and develop Saskatchewan's next generation of talent to showcase throughout the province and the rest of Canada."
—Hugh Neilson and Del Surjik, General Manager and Artistic Director of Persephone Theatre

Associated Link

• Persephone Theatre

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

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Contacts

Marisa Monnin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788

Francine D. Lefebvre
Regional Communications Manager
Prairies and Northern Region
Canadian Heritage
Tel.: [phone]
Cell: 204-899-8611
[email protected]

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
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