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MISSION STATEMENT^The Riverfront Theatre Company provides all youth, regardless of ethnic, social or economic background, the opportunity to participate in a collaborative theatre experience. We offer a safe, accessible, open forum in which young people can express themselves and we provide them with the resources, tools and leadership to produce, promote, market and perform live theatrical works. OUR OBJECTIVES^We provide youth the finest foundation of theatre education by providing a
comprehensive program which develops skills, fosters creativity and provides
successful experiences for all involved.
The aim of the Riverfront Theatre Company is to help young people develop:
OUR HISTORY^The Riverfront Theatre Company started as a vision to create accessible theatre for youth of all ages, and was thus founded in the spring of 2004 by Debbie Stanson and Cassie Young. Charlotte Watkins of “The Music Studio of Fine Arts” approached the mother-daughter duo to direct a stage musical, but unfortunately, the rights to the selected play were not available at the time; instead, they decided to produce the classic play "Our Town", by Thornton Wilder. The play required no set and featured multiple roles for the 22 young actors participating at the time. "Our Town" was performed July 21-23, 2005 at the Walkerville Theatre on Wyandotte St., during a heat wave. The theatre had no available air conditioning, yet no one complained due to the excitement of performing...even though they were wearing heavy, turn-of-the-century costumes! Rehearsal space was challenging to find since the organization had very little money and could not afford to rent a location. Thankfully, the Art Gallery of Windsor stepped in and provided the fledgling theatre troupe with rehearsal space for the next year. It was a wonderful experience to visit the Art Gallery every Saturday and view the amazing artwork on display. For the 2005/2006 season, the group chose to perform the musical “Wonderland" (a.k.a. The Misadventures of a Girl Named Alice through the Looking Glass) in the spring. The Riverfront Theatre Company grew to 35 youth, ranging in age from 6 to 24, and entered into a partnership with the newly-formed Boys & Girls Club of Windsor and Essex County in the summer of 2005. In the fall, the group started to rehearse at the Herb Gray Centre on Pelissier St. In December 2005, the Riverfront Theatre Company performed at the Sugar Plum Gala for the Children’s Aid Society and participated in the Windsor Santa Claus Parade. In early May, the troupe performed several songs from "Wonderland" at the Youth Connection scholarship dinner. Ian McGregor Smith came on board in January 2006 as Musical Director, assisted by Bruce Jamieson, who also designed the poster for the show. Ms. Norma Walton created some incredible costumes for the production, assisted by many parent volunteers. Special thanks to Stage Manager, Dennis Jaciw, who built the chessboard. Cassie Young had her first child, Morganna, on May 3rd, but somehow managed to be present on dress rehearsal night to assist with the show! The musical was performed at the Mission Theatre (since the Walkerville Theatre had closed its doors) on June 8, 9, and 10th, 2006. The play was a big success, with over 500 patrons attending the three performances. Over the course of the summer, the 2006/2007 season was planned. A two-play season was crafted with the first production in December set to feature the junior actors. "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" was selected to feature the senior actors in the spring. At registration in September, over 50 area youth signed up. Lorenzo "Spoons Brown" and Ian McGregor Smith collaborated to write an original musical for the troupe (with 11 original songs), called "In Search of the Golden Spoons". The cast and instructors worked together and came up with the story and dialogue based on the music. Again, Bruce Jamieson designed an awesome poster and Norma Walton once again created outstanding costumes. Ian McGregor Smith revised his role as Musical Director. The cast learned how to "play the spoons" over the fall and the senior members took supporting roles as "set pieces"! The musical was performed at the Capitol Theatre on December 15, 16 and 17th, 2006 to over 600 patrons. The cast and crew were featured on CBC Television, CBC radio and AM 800. The Windsor Star published an article about the "Spoon Wizard", Lorenzo Brown. During the rehearsal phase, the cast created a CD studio recording of the music, recorded and mixed by Kevin Venney and produced by Vision Music. The group additionally performed in the Windsor Santa Claus parade (special thank you to sponsor "Performance Ford") and also entertained at the Alzheimer’s Christmas Luncheon. As of January 2007, it was decided that the Riverfront Theatre Company had grown too large for the space at the Herb Gray Centre. A partnership was formed with the Children’s Aid Society to use the rehearsal space at their new facility on Riverside Dr. In February 2007, the Riverfront Theatre Company officially launched www.riverfronttheatrecompany.ca. On January 29th, Artistic Director Deb Stanson and Anna Rita A. Fiorino addressed City Council in support of the Capitol Theatre. They presented a video that featured the cast expressing their positive thoughts about performing at the Capitol Theatre. Later in March, members of Riverfront and their families staged a support rally outside the Capitol in an effort to keep it afloat. The Capitol Theatre ultimately closed its door, its legal fate unknown. Due the closing of the Capitol, the Riverfront Theatre Company performed its next production, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at yet another new venue for the group: the Chrysler Theatre. The play was staged May 26 and 27 and was a resounding success! Special thanks to Norma Walton for her fabulous costumes, Bruce Jamieson for his astounding original music, and Mary Anne Vanwatteghem for her gorgeous and colorful set design. Naturally, the fine young actors were equally amazing. The group continued its outreach to the community throughout 2007 by participating in the Tecumseh Renaissance Festival, the CAS Spring Fling, performances at the Art Gallery, Art in the Park, Central Public Library, Bruce Villa, and more. Fundraising activities have included a yard sale, pasta dinner, two "bowlathons", and even a car wash! We had a very successful and enjoyable run of "Peter Pan" in December 2007 at l'Essor Amphitheatre in Tecumseh. It marked the directorial debut of Kevin F. Johnston. Through the further generosity of sponsors such as Motor City Community Credit Union, the Children’s Aid Society, Bruce Villa, FCF Custom Fab, St. Clair Centre for the Arts, Performance Ford, Sears Young Futures, and individual donors, the company is able to maintain its mission to provide theatre at "no cost" to the participants. A special "Thank You" to all the volunteers who donate their time to help make rehearsals and shows as superb as they can be. Other successful productions during the 2007-08 season included "The Secret Wedding" in April 2008 (co-presented with the Theatre Intrigue Society and MJM Entertainment Productions) and "Anne of Green Gables" in May 2008. These plays were staged at the Capitol Theatre & Arts Centre in Windsor. Our 2008-09 season involved some changes to the group as familiar faces moved out of town, while many fresh new faces joined the fold! The Juniors presented "The Little Mermaid" and the Seniors impressed with "NARNIA: The Musical". Fun was had by all! 2009-2010 features three plays: "Tom Sawyer", "Free to be You and Me", and "Aladdin". We are very proud of our growth in recent years and the contributions and sacrifices that each and every member of our group makes! THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB^The Boys and Girls Club is unique. It is part of an “international movement” to help children and youth reach their potential. The movement is delivered internationally through neighborhood-based facilities “dedicated to children and youth”. Funders, supporters, and members are committed to creating nurturing environments where children can build positive feelings of self worth and develop life long skills. The Boys and Girls Club of Windsor & Essex County was founded in 2004. It provides a spectrum of programs and services to children and youth, ranging from 5 – 24 years of age. Children and youth in our community are engaged through various after-school and weekend programs that build self-esteem and help to develop stronger social skills. Four distinct Programs are currently offered. These include:
The Boys and Girls Club of Windsor & Essex County is located at the Herb Gray Centre (109-647 Ouellette Avenue) in downtown Windsor. For more information about the Club, please check out their website at www.bgcwindsor.com. |
The year long program consists of process-orientated classes that focus on skill
development, and production-orientated classes that focus on the presentation of two fully-produced plays.