The Cold Lake Entertainment Society wants to make the Grande Parlour a premier theatre, and they’re looking for a little help to make that happen.
The society has asked the MD of Bonnyville to match the City of Cold Lake’s $25,000 contribution towards the theatre enhancement project, which includes upgrades to the seating and tables, investing into sound and lighting equipment, and the addition of visual aspects using a projector and screens.
”We have a growing reputation of being a first-class theatre due to the amazing talent in our area,” expressed executive director for the Grande Parlour Craig Konechny during MD council’s committee meeting on Wednesday, May 1. “Now, we wish to make the audience experience a premier theatre venue worthy of travelling from the city.”
Updated seating will give patrons a comfortable space while enjoying productions, and would address an issue the theatre has noticed in ticket sales.
”Over the course of the year, we find that (the back rows)... are a lot more difficult to sell because they’re uncomfortable to sit in,” detailed Konechny.
In order to save on costs in the long-run, the plan includes upgrading the lighting and audio equipment. Currently, the society gets extra equipment they need from Edmonton.
Konechny explained, “For every show, we have five wired mics for our artists to use. We typically have anywhere from 10 to 13 people in a play, so we’re renting mics from the city all the time, as well as extra lighting... and visual stuff adds up quickly.”
The City of Cold Lake has agreed to support the project to a tune of $25,000 through their economic development grant. Konechny said they’re hoping the MD will match the contribution.
”We look to provide the last third (of the cost) through funds raised from the Verge Festival, and through donations of skilled and unskilled labour to install and retrofit any of the improvements laid out in our application.”
After purchasing Beantrees Café in 2016, Konechny said the Cold Lake coffee shop started featuring local musicians and visual artists.
”I thought a small theatre production in our café would be well received,” he noted.
In order to make this dream a reality, he joined forces with Teresa Pettit, who became the creative director of the Grande Parlour. Their first production was in May 2017.
A year later, Konechny and Pettit started talks with the Cold Lake Entertainment Society in hopes of growing it even further. The society now owns and operates the theatre.
Over 30 actors audition for any of the four major productions they host each year. They also offer youth workshops, summer camps, and will be holding their second Verge Festival in the fall.
The most important factor is what the Grande Parlour brings to the community, stressed Konechny.
”It provides a space for individuals for every culture, young and old, to work together and be part of something that is nothing short of family,” expressed Konechny. “Never would I have believed this type of community exists with such a passion to drive the arts engine, and all that was needed was a specially designed space and someone to support them, to showcase, and grow their talent.”
Reeve Greg Sawchuk remembers fondly the chance he had to work alongisde Pettit for a production.
”Teresa had the mayor, the wing commander, and myself running for the hills when we had the chance to get out of there because she was about to unload on some of the other actors. She’s tough, she puts on a good production, for sure, and it was really a pleasure to take part in it.”
Konechny stressed the importance of enhancing the space they have before expanding to a bigger facility.
”I feel very strongly that, without building the foundation first, it’s very hard to support something larger. I was very adamant about having a very small venue, which had a low risk attached to it and that we could fill the house all the time.”
