Citadel Theatre unveils 50th Anniversary Encore Campaign, Maclab Enterprises kick-starts with $1 million donation
EDMONTON – The Citadel Theatre announced a major fundraising campaign in support of its 50th Anniversary Season coming fall 2015 at a special presentation the evening of Monday, September 23. The “Encore” Campaign will raise $5 Million over the next two years to support a number of programming and facility projects at the Citadel.
Marc de La Bruyère, Managing Director at Maclab Enterprises, announced a contribution of $1 million at the event, kick-starting the two-year goal and providing an inspiration to other funders.
The presentation, by Artistic Director Bob Baker, Executive Director Penny Ritco, campaign co-chairs Catrin Owen and Richard Kirby, introduced Campaign Champion couples Marc de La Bruyère and Stacy Schiff, John and Maggie Mitchell, Ashif and Zainul Mawji, Darren and Laurel Durstling.
“The campaign goals are threefold,” said Catrin Owen, campaign co-chair. “First is to re-imagine the Citadel’s sense of place in the city through an exciting renovation. Second, re-state the Citadel’s commitment to great performance, through world-class productions, an array of artistic partnerships and the creative development programs of the Robbins Academy. Third, re-ignite the pride that we all have in this great theatre by attracting new audiences and playing our part as central to a healthy arts ecology in Edmonton.”
A portion of the $5 million will go towards a grand entranceway facing Sir Winston Churchill Square and a spectacular, state-of-the-art, 3 storey digital marquee to boldly illuminate the Citadel, adding a colorful enhancement to the downtown core.
“The Citadel Theatre is a cultural community leader, and our facility is a cultural community centre. This 50th Anniversary Campaign is not just a celebration of our fifty-year history, but is an encore, to the next fifty years of artistic leadership,” said Artistic Director Bob Baker. “The next two years are an opportunity for us to raise the funds necessary to enliven the Citadel as a part of a growing, vibrant downtown Edmonton.”
The presentation, which took place in the Club at the Citadel, also included design concepts by DIALOG design.
