The Grande Prairie Performing Arts Guild has announced that The Showcase Centre will cease operations effective May 31, 2016.

“Board representatives Lane Smith and April Tranter confirmed the Board was not prepared to pursue the completion of the season, choosing instead to eliminate anticipated operating costs in favor of effectively managing the wind up of the eight year old non- profit organization and honoring it’s present financial commitments.

The loss of The Showcase Centre, known for producing a number of top quality shows like: On Golden Pond, The Buddy Holly Story, Grease, Steel Magnolias, The Full Monty, The Rocky Horror Show and Vagina Monologues among many others has arisen due to a number of factors which created the “perfect storm” thereby preventing its continuation.

The Board sincerely regrets the need for this decision at this time, however the Board extends it’s heartfelt gratitude to all patrons, actors, staff members, artists, performers, directors, stage managers, technicians, and all of our volunteers for sharing their time and talents with our audiences over the years. We were pleased to be able to honor and recognize the efforts of our volunteers at a recent Volunteer Appreciation evening.

Additionally, the Board sincerely thanks our primary sponsors, the City of Grande Prairie, the County of Grande Prairie No. 1., BDO, GP Electric, Battery World and Alberta Culture for their support of our volunteer efforts throughout the past number of seasons.

Season ticket holders will be reimbursed for their outstanding tickets through our box office. For more information: Lane Smith, (780) 831 -9338 or April Tranter, (780) 897-9200.”

Website: The Showcase Centre

More: Daily Herald-Tribune (Photo Credit: Svjetlana Mlinarevic/Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune/Postmedia Network.)