Ben Yoganathan in Behind the Moon by Anosh Irani / Photos by Peter Pokorny / Leora Morris – Director / Anahita Dehbonehie – Set & Costume Designer / Logan Raju Cracknell – Lighting Designer / Chris Ross-Ewart – Sound Designer / Composer
I am always surprised by the things people don’t know about the Belfry. But to be fair, unless you’ve had a tour of the building, you may not be aware that our not-terribly large building houses everything it takes to produce a piece of theatre.
All our sets are built from scratch, in our scene shop, by Carpenters Dale Pudwell and Peter Pokorny. Peter does double duty as Head of Props, building and sourcing furniture pieces and everything actors handle onstage, from teacups to lawnmowers to the musical instruments in the Lightfoot show.
Once a piece of scenery is built, it goes to Carole Klemm, our Scenic Artist. Carole paints everything you see onstage, including—for Behind the Moon—430 tiles on the restaurant floor!
As most of our shows are contemporary, Head of Wardrobe Linda Findlay spends hours shopping for items with the look and feel of the Costume Designer’s sketches. Once she and the Designer have had fittings with an actor, Linda makes alterations—using the cutting tables, dye vats, and sewing machines in her room in the basement.
Overseeing all of this is Mike Ford, Director of Production. He’s responsible for contracting designers, budgeting shows, and monitoring those budgets. Each production has its own team of designers: Set Designer, Costume Designer, Lighting, Projection, and Sound Designers.
When preliminary set drawings arrive, Technical Director Jeremy MacLeod goes over them with a fine-toothed comb, then discusses with the Designer how best to realize their vision, what alterations to make to fit the budget and the “build time.”
Building our shows in-house is not just convenient—it’s a major part of the Belfry magic. Actors enter past the Box Office and rehearse next door to the carpentry shop. We’re a family—all rowing together. Is it any wonder artists rave about their Belfry experience? Our lack of space is an advantage—we may be bursting at the seams, but we wouldn’t have it any other way—!
Your donation makes it possible for our talented staff to build the sets, paint the flats, sew the hems, focus the lights, and create theatre magic—!
My sincerest thanks—as always—for your patronage and your generous support—
Michael Shamata
Artistic Director
You transform people’s lives:
“As a donor and Board President, I have the privilege of seeing up close the profound impact your donations have on our theatre and artists. Your donations not only bring plays to our stage, they foster the next generation of talent as well – through paid apprenticeships to young directors, designers, and other up-and-comers; through seminars, internships, and networking for future arts leaders from marginalized communities; and by introducing high school students to the world of professional theatre through Belfry 101. Donate today to help us to continue to nurture these artists and to produce great theatre!”
With gratitude,
Alison Watt, Belfry President
You create new plays:
“I was lucky enough to attend all kinds of theatre growing up – British dramas, American musicals, great classics by Molière and Chekhov. I adored these plays and still do! But nothing resonated for me in quite the same way as work about and for Canadians by brilliant writers like Michel Tremblay and Sharon Pollack. Seeing my own country brought to vivid life on stage, I knew I had found a lifelong passion.
Happily, it is a passion that has been part of the artistic fabric of the Belfry since the very beginning. It is no accident that the very first production mounted by the Belfry, Puttin’ on the Ritz, was an original homegrown musical revue. Season after season, our theatre has remained in the forefront of Canadian play development. We have supported work that embraces and reflects the diversity of our cultural experience. And our amazing audiences have journeyed with us as we continually reflect today’s Canada.
Now, more than ever, supporting this vital work is critical, and I invite you to join me.”
Glynis Leyshon,
Former Belfry Artistic Director (1986-97);
Legacy Circle and Director’s Circle Member.
You ensure access:
“Our Pay-What-You-Want program is very important to me personally, both as a donor and co-leader. The Belfry is a national trailblazer in financial accessibility to the arts. Did you know that thanks in part to the PWYW program, 54% of our single ticket buyers for Behind the Moon are first-time Belfry buyers? We valued the ‘cost’ of PWYW at $155,000 last season. But the benefit is that together we are building new audiences, cultivating future donors, and most importantly broadening the reach of the arts. Congratulations! As donors, you give the gift of theatre.”
Isaac Thomas,
Executive Director
