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Your Savoy. Your Story.

Now, I could start this article with the usual speech I give when drumming up support for the Savoy Theatre – we’re a not for profit, community run facility that costs $1 million to sustain annually, with 10% of that coming from the government. The other $900,000 comes from box office revenues and fundraisers. I could say that we have dedicated volunteers and a very few, loyal staff who have kept the building afloat during the good times and the bad.

But you know what - that’s our story. There is something else, something very special that keeps the Savoy going - your stories.

On any given day, you can walk into the Savoy Theatre and see an empty stage, but don’t let that fool you. That stage is never empty. It’s alive with the presence of past performances and today’s productions. After 80 years, the red curtain is still open because of the experiences that we bring to the community and the experiences our community takes away from their time at the Savoy.

For instance - Robert Munsch is Canada’s #1 selling children’s author, and is famous throughout the world. His books are published in many different languages and have sold millions of copies. So you can imagine how surprised the staff at the Glace Bay Library was to see him arrive during their usual Saturday morning story time. The kid’s eyes lit up as he spent a half an hour with them, customizing his stories for the small group as they giggled uncontrollably. He capped off his visit by signing their ‘Munsch Wall’, a special area dedicated to his work.

It wasn’t long after that Ballet Jorgen arrived in Glace Bay with their production of Anastasia. This production not only premiered at the theatre, but guest starred local dancers as soldiers, servants and the working class. You can appreciate the excitement of these young dancers as they rehearsed on set -in full costume- with a professional company.

And most recently, Classic Albums Live presented Pink Floyd’s The Wall. They took 12 lucky choir members from St. Anne’s Elementary (Glace Bay) and turned them into rock stars. About 15 minutes into the show, these kids ran down the aisles on cue, barreled onto the stage and flawlessly delivered the famous chorus WE DON’T NEED NO EDUCATION – c’mon you know the rest. You’re probably singing it in your head right now.

But it’s not just the shows. It’s seeing the grandmothers and granddaughters arrive at the theatre together, all dressed up to go to the ballet. It’s watching two young volunteers get an impromptu guitar lesson from an artist. It’s the first night of Battle of the Bands when young musicians realize their potential outside of someone’s garage or basement. It’s the Red Curtain Company’s hours of practice to produce children’s shows for local schools. It’s welcoming 761 people from all over the world and watching them stay on their feet for hours while The White Stripes celebrated their 10th anniversary.

I could go on forever. These experiences happen here all the time. They become precious memories that these people will carry for the rest of their lives. It’s being a part of this that melts away the stress of raising $900,000, and keeps us motivated. We believe passionately that the community deserves quality experiences and entertainment, and that we should be able to deliver what people can afford.

So give us a try. It usually only takes one trip, one great show, to create a life long customer. I mean, hey, we’re all too familiar with the lack of disposable income. We know that Glace Bay can seem like a long drive if you’re out of the area. We know that parking can be an issue. But I encourage you to see one of our productions and get taken away by the magic of the theatre – just once- and we bet you’ll be able to find that parking space for the next time. A Savoy experience can make an impressionable, lasting impact that extends outside of our doors and into the community –and become your stories.

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Savoy Theatre Membership Benefits:

For $40, Savoy Members will receive a chance to win :

• 10 tickets to the shows of your choice over the next year,

• a major electronics prize,

• be placed in a lottery to be eligible to purchase a Lucky 7 (7 shows for $100)

Other Benefits Include:

• 'Front of the Line' benefits - you're the first to know when a band is coming and are eligible to buy tickets before the general public.
   

• Parking in Stream Parking Lot

• A 'No Questions Asked' refund and exchange policy.

• A charitable tax receipt.

• Complimentary invitations to special performances.
   

•  Newsletters, emails and phone calls sometimes containing special offers exclusive to members.
   

• Special savings from participating businesses including: Charm Diamond Centre, With You in Mind, Belmac Supply, Boston Pizza, Bay Music, Governor's Restaurant, Glace Bay Shoe Store, Goldsill Jewellers, The Crown and Moose, Cameron's Building Supplies, Discount Cars, Mel's This and That, Smitty's Restaurant, The Shoe Tree and Mescalero's.

WATCH FOR OUR DREAM VACATION DRAW COMING IN JANUARY!!
 

» Sign Up For Savoy Memberships Here