Sitting on a shelf, hidden in a closet, or filed away

It was 40 years ago that Expo 67 opened in Montreal on April 27th. Expo was a major international cultural showcase to mark Canada’s 100^th birthday. Forty years later, I still have my Expo 67 Passport. This got me thinking about the things that I’ve saved from GCTC. I have season brochures dating back to 1992. That year included works by Joan Macleod, George Walker, George Seremba, and Ottawa’s own Katherine Sandford. There were seasons with themes, like Micheline Chevrier’s “Portraits of Women” season (1997-98), Lorne Pardy’s season on reflection (2000-01) entitled “A Look In” and seasons that marked anniversary milestones. This small stack of brochures represents world premieres, co-productions, collective creations, and just some great moments in theatre. -- Send your memories to Kate Wright at wricom@rogers.com for our Farewell to 910 Gladstone event.

The Dividing Line:

I moved to Ottawa in 1989 and contacted GCTC to become a volunteer. I was enlisted to serve on the company’s then nascent fundraising committee. In early 1990 I became employed by the theatre to work on its audience development efforts. I was warmly welcomed into the GCTC fold and remained with the company for the next seven years. There was one thing however that forever placed me and others on the other side of a divide. That divide existed between those who had been there for Sandinista! and those who had not. With the opening of 910 Gladstone, GCTC had a permanent place to mount its productions. Those who were there for that first housewarming in the form of Sandinista! were obviously touched deeply by that experience. It was something they never forgot. Send your GCTC memories to Kate Wright (wricom@rogers.com ).