MEDIA RELEASE
Ontario Trillium Foundation Helps the Palace Theatre Arts Commons Get Back to the Stage
London, ON – In August 2021, The Palace Theatre Arts Commons (PTAC) received a $99,500 Resilient Communities Fund – Operating grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). With this support, the theatre has revitalized its sound/lighting departments as well as reinvigorated the technical staffing department with new hires, as well as preparing the theatre for potential resurgence of COVID-19. OTF supported our fixed building and operational costs during COVID-19 so we could keep the theatre thriving and viable.
“I’m so glad to see the Palace Theatre Art Commons receive this incredible grant of $99,500 from OTF’s Community Building Fund,” said Terence Kernaghan, MPP for London North Centre. “Thanks to these funds, the theatre was able to reopen with a full season of exciting community theatre productions while re-invigorating their sound/lighting equipment. This is great news for London’s arts community. Congratulations!”
The purchase of broadcast-quality video equipment for streaming capabilities, personal protective equipment and new signage/dividers for patron safety will enable PTAC to keep up with the changing times and future expectations of live theatre performances.
“The support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation has allowed us to make some much needed improvements to our equipment and to train and hire new technical staff which has reinvigorated our productions,” said Kelli Gough, Palace Theatre Arts Commons Chair. “Further, their support will have us ready for the future while maintaining the safety of our patrons.”
Since 1991, the Palace Theatre has provided London and area audiences with a wide spectrum of community theatre productions. The iconic building with its two stage venues has continued to remain home to London Community Players, the London Youth Theatre Education program and, most recently, a successful London Fringe.
The theatre reopened a full season and a playlist that includes something for everyone including a dynamic new partnership with Music Theatre Productions (MTP) to co-produce Cinderella for Christmas 2022. PTAC is thriving with new rentals and local theatre companies anxious to get back to performing. Upcoming shows and events will be listed on the new website (palacetheatre.ca) and on our Facebook page. You can also follow the theatre’s story on Instagram.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, last year, OTF invested nearly $209M into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Since 2020, OTF has supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Media Contact:
Kelli Gough, Chair
[email protected] | 519-432-1029
