This is the seventh in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile the Ingersoll Theatre of the Performing Arts (ITOPA).
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
In 1976, a group of people began meeting to explore the possibility of setting up a community theatre. A set of by-laws was drawn up, a name chosen, a logo designed, and ITOPA was incorporated under the Charitable Organizations Act.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both?
ITOPA is a volunteer, non-professional community theatre company that provides live entertainment in the form of music, plays, and other events.
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
In the fall of 1980, ITOPA moved to its present location, 88 Thames Street South, Ingersoll, ON.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
ITOPA is a theatre of and for our community. We are committed to connecting, inspiring, and enriching everyone who we welcome into our safe space. ITOPA believes that theatre is an essential component of life and that every aspect should be available to all. Through contact, involvement, and exposure to the arts, we utilize the power of the theatre environment to foster inclusion, expression, and positivity for our entire community.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid staff?
ITOPA is run by a volunteer board of directors who are selected from the membership.
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
The only theme for the 2025-2026 season is FUN!
Q. What show(s) will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about each.
7-10 Split
By Michael G Wilmot
October 10, 11, 12*, 16, 17, 18*, 19*
Showtime: 7:30pm
*indicates Matinee performance 2:00pm
Since his aspirations to be a pro bowler went off the rails, Earl has tried one get rich quick scheme after another.
This time, things are different when a rich Count from the Internet has offered him money to help save his fortune.
What could possibly go wrong?
Inspecting Carol
By Daniel Sullivan
December 12, 13, 14*, 18, 19, 20*, 21*
Showtime: 7:30pm
*indicates Matinee performance 2:00pm
A Christmas Carol meets The Government Inspector meets Noises Off in this hilarious hit from Seattle.
A man who asks to audition at a small theater is mistaken for an informer for the National Endowment for the Arts.
Everyone caters to the bewildered wannabe actor, and he is given a role in the current production, A Christmas Carol.
Everything goes wrong and hilarity is piled upon hilarity. Perfect anytime, this delight is particularly appropriate at Christmas.
Bingo!
By Daniel MacIvor
March 6, 7, 8*, 12, 13, 14*, 15*
Showtime: 7:30pm
*indicates Matinee performance 2:00pm
Five classmates come together for their 30th high-school reunion.
Some see it as a welcome trip home, while others see it as an obligation, and a few never even left.
But as the night wears on, the one-time classmates start to reconnect and reminisce.
And the more alcohol that’s consumed, the closer the friends come to confronting their darkest secrets.
The Drowsy Chaperone
Music and Lyrics By Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison
Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar
May 29, 30, 31*
June 4, 5, 6*, 7*
Showtime: 7:30pm
*indicates Matinee performance 2:00pm
With the house lights down, a man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favorite record: the cast recording of a 1928 musical.
The recording comes to life, and The Drowsy Chaperone begins as the man in the chair looks on.
Mix in two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan, and an intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight.
Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, The Drowsy Chaperone is a loving send-up of the Golden Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.itopa.ca/
Follow ITOPA on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ingersolltheatre
The Beat Magazine 2025 