Three stages of funding from community and corporate support have helped the Chemainus Theatre endure the void from no stage performances since the start of COVID-19 in March of 2020 until now.

Appropriately named the Crisis Relief Fund, Bridge The Gap and most recently Return To Stage campaigns, the theatre is indeed ready for a staged return beginning with the Holiday Jubilation concert Dec. 8-23.

Dr. Don Hilton and Gregg Perry, together with Island Savings, Duncan Iron Works, and Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn, collectively pledged $85,000 toward a Return to Stage matched giving campaign.

鈥淭he campaign is so continual,鈥� said the theatre鈥檚 managing director Randy Huber. 鈥淭hese two gents coming through with their support is the catalyst we need to re-energize and get back to programming.鈥�

The Perry and Hilton families are long-time advocates of the theatre and were central to the previous matched campaign.

Each dollar donated to the theatre for the Return To Stage will be matched up to $85,000. If fully matched, the funds will help the theatre get through the last of its extended intermissions and put it back on track to produce a full 2022 season.

鈥淩andy tells me $50,000 have come in since that campaign started,鈥� said Hilton. 鈥淗e鈥檚 hoping to equal that or surpass that. It鈥檚 amazing what they were able to do with the competent staff here.鈥�

Perry has an extra special connection as the theatre鈥檚 inaugural artistic director from 1993-1995.

鈥淚 poured a lot into this when it was first starting,鈥� said Perry. 鈥淭here was a lot of inertia to get it off the ground.

鈥淚 was there to talk about what I鈥檇 seen at Rosebud (Alberta) and what a wonderful thing it had become.鈥�

鈥淚f it wasn鈥檛 for Gregg in those first few years the theatre wouldn鈥檛 have been here,鈥� praised Huber. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no question about it.鈥�

Perry and Hilton are glad to do whatever they can to make sure it stages a big comeback from the COVID hiatus.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a pleasure to be able to do it,鈥� said Perry.

The corporate support is also vital, with the three main players in the lead roles.

鈥淲e鈥檙e very pleased to assist the Chemainus Theatre with this matching donor campaign,鈥� noted Jason Farrugia, branch manager for Island Savings Credit Union in Chemainus.

鈥淭he theatre represents more than shows or goods, it represents community. We wish a fabulous season to the staff and patrons, as they have waited patiently over the last 18 months to be able to enjoy the theatre and the artistic expression it showcases.鈥�

鈥淎s a community, we need to support one another, and in acknowledging that the Chemainus Theatre truly embodies the spirit of this community, we at the Best Western Plus Chemainus Inn feel privileged to support our friends in the opening of their 2022 season with heartfelt, optimistic enthusiasm,鈥� added general manager Wayne Lynch.

鈥淎s a long time supporter of the Chemainus Theatre, it is our pleasure to become involved in this very important matching campaign,鈥� offered Duncan Iron Works general manager Brent Dellebuur. 鈥淲e have all been extremely patient in waiting for the day when we can return to live performances. This campaign will help carry the theatre until it can get back to welcoming audiences back to the venue we all love in 2022.鈥�

鈥淲e are incredibly thankful for the generosity of this group and hope you will partner with them to re-ignite the stage so we can gather again for great stories and music,鈥� pointed out Huber. 鈥淲ith your help, we are ready to build on our three-decade track record. What a wonderful, shared legacy.鈥�

Donations to the theatre鈥檚 campaign can be made