Fundraising campaign off to a good start
Trent Valley Archives Theatre gets $6,740 from businesses, individuals in first 10 days
Trent Valley Archives Theatre’s (TVAT) history theatre fundraising campaign, which began Feb. 20, got off to a solid start.
“Local businesses and private individuals contributed $6,740 in sponsorships and donations to TVAT during the first 10 days of our campaign,” said TVAT coproducers Mary and Greg Conchelos in a campaign update.
TVAT is a new initiative with the goal of raising funds for Trent Valley Archives through the production of theatre about local historical events aimed at students and the general public.
The inaugural project, “Tide of Hope,” a history play written and donated by Peterborough playwright Ed Schroeter, is the first of two commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Peter Robinson Irish emigration to the Peterborough region.
TVA member Jim Abel, who made a donation to the campaign, did so for a specific reason.
“Peter Robinson led the first sizeable group of Europeans to settle in the Peterborough region,” Abel said.
“There is no one better than Ed Schroeter to tell their story to today’s youth.”
The play’s production is made possible thanks to the generosity of two platinum-level sponsors, The Gardens of Peterborough Retirement Residences and media sponsor kawarthaNOW.com.
“We are pleased to sponsor the upcoming ‘Tide of Hope’ performance and bring attention to the great work of Trent Valley Archives for their preservation and care of the history in our region,” said Sarah Joore, sales and marketing/ project co-ordinator, The Gardens of Peterborough.
A private performance of “Tide of Hope” will be staged May 9 for residents of The Gardens as part of TVAT’s community outreach and educational mandate.
Financial support and donated goods and services are a necessity to TVAT and TVA which, unlike many archives, receive no regular government funding.
“Our volunteers on this project, a cast of nine, crew, director, playwright, theatre committee and board of directors, are donating countless hours of free labour. But that only goes so far,” said Greg Conchelos.
“TVA funds its many activities through memberships, donations, grants, user fees and volunteer hours,” added Mary Conchelos. “These private donations and corporate sponsorships are also important because they subsidize our low-cost school group admission at only $10 per student, with free admission for their teachers and trip supervisors.”
Three levels of sponsorship for the play are still available: bronze ($300), silver ($500) and gold ($1,000).
For information on becoming a sponsor, a member, or donating, contact Madison More by email at TVAT@trentvalleyarchives.com or by phone at 705-298-2350.
Public performances of “Tide of Hope” are May 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre. Tickets can be purchased by visiting tickets.markethall.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=357.
Teachers can book their classes to see a school group performance at Market Hall on May 15 at 1 p.m. by contacting Mary Conchelos at 705872-6557 or by email at trentvalleyarchivestheatre@gmail.com. For information and/or educational resources, visit trentvalleyarchives.com/tvat.
Naturalist outing
The Peterborough Field Naturalists have planned an outing, “The Fascinating World of a Vernal Pool,” with a choice of two dates: this Saturday or May 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. Community members are welcome to participate. It is a great opportunity to find out what the group is all about.
Mark Williamson of Trent University will bring nets and trays so participants can have a closer look at some of the invertebrates in the vernal pool. The group will check the pool for the eggs of wood frogs, spotted and blue-spotted salamanders and other organisms that live and breed in these woodland ponds. Group members will also listen for calling frogs and identify some early spring wildflowers.
Dress according to the weather and consider wearing rubber boots. Accessibility is moderate with walking around woodland ponds.
To register and for information on location, contact Sue by email at sueparadisis@hotmail.com or by calling 705-559-2061.
Each outing is limited to 15 participants.