On Saturday, October 18th, the Lambeth Art Association is hosting a special event open to the London area artist community. Joanne Poluch, acclaimed Art Coach and owner of Remarque Art Consulting, will lead a lecture entitled How to Define Artistic Success and How to Approach and Nurture Buyers.
About Joanne Poluch:
Joanne Poluch is the owner of Remarque Art Consulting in Guelph, Ontario. Joanne holds an Honours Degree in Art History from the University of Guelph and an Art Marketing Diploma from Sotheby’s Institute of Fine Art in New York. Establishing her business in 2010, Joanne has enjoyed a solid reputation in art consulting ever since. Her business model is versatile and has been based on exceptional customer service, a relaxed and professional relationship with corporate/ private clients, and assisting artists at ALL levels of their art practice. Joanne’s deep passion for art, flair for creativity, and compassionate style have allowed her to enjoy a thriving and successful business.
Joanne is frequently called upon to be a guest speaker for numerous art groups, locally and at the national level. As a popular and introspective juror, Joanne remains a quintessential player on the art scene.
Enjoying a very active art coaching/mentorship practice with artists across Canada, her philosophy is simple – build up artists through positive energy and deep-seated support.
Joanne holds the position of Manager of the Art Sales & Rental program at the Art Gallery of Guelph.
She is also a registered current member of CARFAC.
This special event takes place from 1:00 to 3:15 pm at Riverside United Church in London. Tickets to this event are $10. To reserve your spot, email the Lambeth Art Association at lambethartassociation@gmail.com
Mavis Productions presents the rocky horror show, oct. 9-18.
Mavis Productions does the time warp again into their 4TH ANNUAL TRADITION!
The Rocky Horror Show returns to London to celebrate 50 years of the film you love, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW!
In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.”
Filled with all the classic songs and audience participation that made the film so much fun for over 50 years, all of it comes to life on the stage. So bring your costumes and all your scripts and be ready for a night of absolute pleasure. Whether you come out for our 2 pm afternoon shows, our classic 7 pm shows, or our returning MIDNIGHT PERFORMANCES, we know you will shiver with antici…pation!!
Ingersoll theatre of Performing Arts presents 7-10 Split, oct. 10 – 19.
Strike up some laughs with 7-10 Split by Michael G. Wilmot!
When wild ideas, big personalities, and a few gutter balls collide, you’ve got a comedy that’s guaranteed to keep you laughing from the first frame to the last. Don’t miss this community theatre gem that’s all about friendship, fun, and the unexpected turns life throws our way.
Show Dates: October 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18 & 19, 2025.
shut the door improv presents the wurst brats, oct. 7.
Join us Tuesday, October 7th, for the debut of The Wurst Brats, the newest STFD Masterclass graduates hitting the stage for the very first time!
These fresh improv talents are bringing the heat with an hour of juicy, short-form comedy that’s guaranteed to have you rolling.
From the Shut The Front Door Improv Masterclass Program, this is your chance to catch the next generation of performers serving up live, unscripted hilarity right before your eyes.
Don’t miss it, come out for live laughs and support local improv!
monday night trivia at the morrissey house, oct. 6.
westland gallery, the roots of wisdom, continues until oct. 25.
This exhibition is a must-see in person. New landscapes and wildlife paintings by these two incredible artists will be on display until October 25th! Preview the full exhibition today at www.westlandgallery.ca.
this week at the london public library.
scoring the silence: composing a new score for a silent thriller, oct. 8 at the palace theatre.
Presented by the YAPCA (Young Artists Pre-College Academy)
Scoring the Silence: Composing a New Score for a Silent Thriller
Experience the art of silent cinema re-imagined through powerful new music.
Join acclaimed composer and conductor Scott Good as he shares the creative process behind his two-hour original score for the 1924 silent horror classic The Hands of Orlac (to be performed in full on October 31 at 8:30 PM at Metropolitan United).
Featuring recorded film excerpts on the big screen and live performances by YAPCA faculty and students, this engaging session offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of film, music, and imagination.
The event also includes the world premiere of The Somnambulist (The Sleepwalker) — a haunting new work composed especially for this occasion.
Perfect for music lovers, film fans and the culturally curious alike.
This public event will run from 6:00-7:00 – doors 5:50
This is the twenty-first in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we interview Elizabeth Durand, co-founder and Artistic Director of Theatre Aezir.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
Theatre Aezir was co-founded in 2017 by Elizabeth Durand, David Bogaert, Rob Deman, and Olaf Plotzke. Our last show before COVID in 2019 was Falling: A Wake. When Theatre Aezir came back in 2023, I was the remaining co-founder, and I decided to change the company into a professional company. We became a non-profit and a registered charity in 2024.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both?
We are a professional company and registered charity with a mandate to expand our services into educating actors and theatrical professionals.
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
Theatre Aezir is a theatre production company without a home theatre, so we use various spaces based on the needs of the play. We have used the Auburn Developments Stage, Procunier Hall, outdoors at the Guy Lombardo Pavilion, and the gym at First Baptist Church.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
Theatre Aezir is a professional live theatre production company located in London, Ontario, and serves London and the surrounding counties. Positioned between the region’s large-scale productions and mid-sized community theatre, Theatre Aezir fills a vital gap in London’s theatre scene. We are theatre artists committed to presenting audiences with a diverse selection of engaging and thought-provoking performances by playwrights from across the city, the nation, and around the world.
Theatre Aezir’s Motto is “Theatre that makes you think.” Our mission is to create theatre that challenges the intellect, excites emotion, and confronts the present. Quirky, edgy, and provocative.
(Pictured: Theatre Aezir co-founder and Artistic Director, Elizabeth Durand.)
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid Staff?
Yes, we have a Board of Directors and paid part-time staff.
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
At this time, we are still planning 2026.
Q. What show(s) will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about each.
Coming This Fall:Disastrous Dates. Delightful Theatre. Serious Training. This Fall, it’s Dating Games — and it’s not just a show.
This November, Theatre Aezir invites you to laugh (and cringe) your way through Dating Gamesby Garth Wingfield — a night of five hilariously awful dates, brought to life by some of the most promising emerging talent in London.
But here’s the twist: Dating Games is more than just a comedy. It’s also a hands-on, full-throttle training initiative for the next generation of theatre professionals.
Early-career directors will be responsible for a short play, supported every step of the way by an experienced mentor.
Ten+ local actors will dive into an intensive week-long skills workshop in breathing work, vocal production, diction, and character analysis — the kind of rigorous, pro-level training that usually only happens behind conservatory doors.
Our design team — including professional lighting, sound, and stage management — will bring their A-game.
Performances: November 6–16, 2025, evenings at 8:00pm, matinees at 4:00pm First Baptist Church, 568 Richmond Street.
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
London needs another venue for independent theatre companies. If London had another space that was technically adequate and reasonably priced, more production companies would create more theatre.
This is the twentieth in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile St. Marys Community Players.
.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
St. Marys Community Players (SMCP) is a vibrant not-for-profit community theatre group that has been illuminating the stage since its inception in 1974. Over the decades, SMCP has blossomed into one of the premier amateur theatres in Southwestern Ontario, captivating audiences with its diverse array of productions, from classic plays to contemporary performances.
Theatre in St. Marys began in the late 1940s with Rev. Parsons’ staging of *The Desert Song*. This production relied on the efforts of over 60 volunteers who created costumes from old drapes, curtains, and sheets, embodying community spirit and resourcefulness.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both?
SMCP is a not-for-profit community theatre
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
The Town Hall Theatre in St. Marys.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
Our Motto: The best in each of us, nourishing all of us. This guiding motto encapsulates the essence of our collective ambition; we believe that theatre is not just an art form but a vital community connector.
Our Mission transcends merely putting on plays. We strive to offer compelling live theatre productions that engage the broader community on multiple levels—inviting audiences not only to enjoy the performances but also to actively participate in the creative process. At SMCP, we cherish the involvement of community members of all ages and backgrounds. We actively encourage new members to join our ranks, whether they seek the spotlight or prefer the behind-the-scenes magic. Our group thrives on a spirit of creativity and fun, and we are always ready to support your individual interests, whether you aspire to act, direct, or work on technical and production teams, such as lighting, sound, set design, or costume creation.
Join Us: Whether you are a passionate performer, a budding playwright, or someone who simply enjoys the thrill of live theatre, SMCP welcomes you with open arms. By joining our community, you contribute to local culture and help nurture the artistic spirit that fuels our passion for live performances. Together, let’s create unforgettable theatre that leaves a lasting impact on our community.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid staff?
The nine-member board includes the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Q. What show will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about it.
Canadian playwright Norm Foster’s comedic play, Hilda’s Yard, directed by Costin Manu and produced by Marie Stevens and Stephen Brockwell. Set in the 1950s, the play follows the Fluck family as they navigate the challenges of everyday life. When their two adult children unexpectedly move back home, Hilda and Sam Fluck are dealing with a full house again. As the family members come to terms with their new living arrangements, they must confront their struggles and relationships. Filled with humour and heart and in typical Norm Foster form, Hilda’s Yard explores the complexities of family dynamics and the enduring bonds that hold them together.
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
St. Marys Community Players continues to reach out to our local, neighbouring theatres, building relationships and connections, piggybacking on our collective successes and sometimes mistakes. We aim to shift away from the competitive nature of the southwestern Ontario community theatre scene and establish a support group for all local community theatres.
This is the eighteenth in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile Scooter Productions.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
Scooter Productions was founded in 2017. The founding members are Phil Cal, Heather Rivet, Brian Speagle, and Sherine Thomas-Holder. We got together to produce serious drama with current social themes. Our first production, Penguin Blues, tackled addiction and isolation.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre?
We are a non-profit community theatre group.
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
Our last two productions have been staged at Manor Park Memorial Hall.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
“Scooter Productions strives to produce quality live theatre and to promote all of the arts in the Greater London Area.”
(Pictured: Brian Speagle, co-founder of Scooter Productions.)
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid Staff?
There is no board of directors or paid staff.
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
At the moment, our 2025-26 season consists of one production, Memoir, by John Murrell. Our next show is TBD.
Q. What show(s) will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about each.
Memoirwill run from November 19th to 23rd.
Plot summary: It is the summer of 1922; Sarah Bernhardt’s last at her beloved island estate off the coast of Brittany. With her erstwhile secretary, butler, and general dogsbody Georges Pitou, she attempts to write volume two of her memoir. Sarah enters a world of memories, spanning her entire life and theatre career. Many of her reminiscences are of her many accomplishments, but there are also memories of pain and trauma. However, she is The Divine Sarah, and she triumphantly rises above them and overcomes! John Murrell has created a moving and complex script that has touched theatregoers around the world.
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
It is my belief that community theatre groups in London need to collaborate and support one another to grow an audience that will appreciate theatre and all the arts in London. In practical terms, we should be attending each other’s shows and helping to promote them. We are all in the same boat.
by Richard Young, Publisher & Content Manager, The Beat Magazine 2025.
(Pictured: The Beat Arts In London, Issue 1, October 2009. Cover Art by Lionel Morise)
After a nine-year hiatus, I recently revived The Beat Magazine, an independent arts magazine I founded and published from 2009 to 2013, as The Beat Magazine 2025 website.
Since then, several of my peers and contemporaries have asked me one simple question: Why?
It’s a question I have asked myself many times over the last few weeks.
First and foremost, my reason for doing so is my humble attempt to make up for the lack of local arts and culture coverage in the mainstream media over the last several years. Frankly, I think this is criminal in a city the size of London. London and area creatives deserve better.
As one of our volunteer writers, Dawn Lyons, sums it up:
“London’s arts scene is alive with talent, creativity, and passion. It’s full of amazing artists across disciplines who continue to create, perform, and inspire, often without the recognition they truly deserve. I see The BeatMagazine 2025 as a way to showcase that energy and help connect people in the community with the incredible work happening around them.”
Much like the former print publication, the website provides timely, informed local arts news and commentary, and previews and reviews of local arts events. It also includes profiles of the area’s creatives and arts and culture venues. It is ad-free, and subscriptions are free.
(Pictured: The Beat Magazine, Issue 30, March 2012. We featured Ceris Thomas on the cover. Ceris was appearing in The Drowsy Chaperone, then playing at the Palace Theatre.)
Second, simply because I want to.
Since the print magazine folded in the summer of 2013, I have kept myself busy doing many things.
I wrote freelance for a variety of local print publications, including Lifestyle Magazine, Business London, London, Inc., Professionally Speaking (Ontario College of Teachers), Scene Magazine, and the Villager Group of community magazines.
(Pictured: The Beat Magazine, Issue 25, October 2011. This cover, featuring a cast member from Evil Dead: The Musical, proved to be one of our most popular ones. We had difficulty keeping our stands stocked!)
I worked part-time/casually at a well-respected London Advertising & Marketing agency, writing copy about heavy industrial machinery. Talk about a learning curve! I thank owners Robert Adeland and Mina Thaler for their patience in teaching me the ins and outs of large cranes, dump trucks, excavators, and the like.
From December 2022 until August 2025, I was the Publicity and Program Department Head for Silver Spotlight Theatre, London’s theatre company that gives those 55 and older a chance to sing, dance, and perform on stage or backstage.
Most recently, I have served on the London Public Library’s Historic Sites Committee, the body that erects plaques around the city commemorating people and places of local historical significance. One project I take particular pride in is an Interpretive Sign Celebrating Wonderland Gardens’ Contribution to London’s Music History, which I prepared in collaboration with the City of London Culture Office. It will be officially unveiled on a date TBD.
(Pictured: The original Wonderland Gardens Outdoor Bandshell. Wonderland opened on May 24, 1935.)
That brings me up to the summer of 2025.
An unexpected medical diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease in July forced me to reevaluate many aspects of my life.
First and foremost, was changing my dietary and exercise habits. Gone are all processed foods, fast foods, and those with high levels of sodium and potassium. No more putting off going to the gym at least three times weekly.
Second, was relieving those things that cause me mental stress and unnecessary anxiety.
At my age (70-something), I decided that I want to fully re-engage with the local arts and culture community, rather than focusing on one aspect of it with my involvement with Silver Spotlight Theatre.
I also want to work at my own beck and call and not be accountable to others who may not always share my at times unbridled enthusiasm and relentlessness.
(Pictured: The final issue of The Beat Magazine, Summer 2013, featuring London dancer and choreographer, Amy Wright, on the cover)
In short, reviving The Beat Magazine seemed to be the best course of action to follow at this point in my life.
Has it taken up a lot more of my time than I thought? Hell, yes! But it’s my time and I love it.
Is there any financial return? Hell no! It’s strictly, to use the old cliche, a labour of love.
So, welcome to the new Beat Magazine in the form of The Beat Magazine 2025 website!
Let us know what you would like us to cover.
Let us know if you would like to volunteer some writing about the local arts and culture scene.
Let us know how we’re doing.
Let us know what’s working and what’s not working.
This is the seventeenth in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we interview Matt Loop, co-founder of sketch comedy troupe, Project G Force.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
Project G Force was founded by Matt Loop and Thomas Bogad in 2006 and included members of sketch troupes Channel Surfing and Sector 7 G. The troupe currently consists of original members Thomas Bogad, Norah Cuzzocrea, Laura DiTrolio, and Matt Loop. Past members include Pasqualina Cardu, Christian Gundlack, and Lorissa Sinasac. Project G Force was under the umbrella of local theatre group Channel Surfing Productions and is currently the longest-running sketch comedy troupe in London, under the direction of John Pacheco.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both?
Project G Force is a not-for-profit theatre.
(Pictured: Matt Loop, Laura DiTrolio, Thomas Bogad, and Norah Cuzzocrea)
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
We have performed at the Palace main stage, Rum Runners, TAP, London Music Club, and most recently the Princess Ave Theatre in St. Thomas.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
Our mission is basically to make people laugh with locally written comedy. Everything produced by Channel Surfing Productions, from sketch to past shows like ‘UnderAchievers’ and ‘PMS’, are all locally written. We hope to start producing some more plays under the Project G Force banner.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid Staff?
We do not. We are just a bunch of friends who can barely decide where to meet for dinner.
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
We just finished a show this year called Stage Fright and are currently preparing a show for 2026, which will be our 20th Anniversary together. We tend to do one show a year to give everyone time to work on other theatre or comedy projects. Currently, Thomas is in the improv group Shut the Front Door, Norah is in The Front Page: SCOOPED at the Palace Theatre, and Matt Loop is currently on Jack1023 and has helped promote several recent theatre shows on Afternoons with Loop.
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
It’s amazing to see the theatre community start to rebound after those years “we shall not speak of.” The community goes in cycles, and it seems that it is starting to upswing with a great mix of exciting new companies (young and old), and diverse performers. It’s also nice to see actors who we haven’t seen in a while starting to get back on the stage, and it’s great to see some locally written works starting to get produced again. We would like to see more collaboration and promotion done for the theatre scene, as London is growing and so should the audiences, as long as we can reach them. The members of Project G Force have been around for a while and have loved being part of the local theatre scene, whether that be performing or in other productions. We are also getting older and don’t want to break anything.
This is the thirteenth in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile the Palace Theatre Arts Commons.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
London Community Players (LCP) were founded in 1974. London Youth Theatre Education (LYTE) in 2012. Palace Theatre Arts Commons (PTAC) was formed in 2020, and the London Fringe Festival joined us then.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both?
Non-profit community theatre
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
David Long Stage (350-seat auditorium) and Procunier Hall (75-seat backbox theatre)
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
We believe everyone who wants to be entertained, provoked, inspired, or moved by theatre should be afforded the opportunity to do so.
We inspire and nurture individuals through volunteer and educational experiences in theatrical production and management.
We support and promote theatrical youth programs. In conjunction with our partners, we produce, present, and promote high-quality, affordable, entertaining theatrical experiences.
We provide extensive theatre resources for the broader community. We own and manage a heritage venue that is a destination of choice and is available to host a wide variety of cultural and community events.
We create opportunities in the performing arts for everyone in our community.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid staff?
Board of 13 members and paid staff of 2 full-time and 2 part-time.
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
London Community Players – Mainstage (David Long Stage)
The Front Page: SCOOPED September 25 – October 5, 2025
The Rocky Horror Show October 23- November 1, 2025 Co-production with InFuse Productions
Deathtrap November 27 – December 7, 2025
Urinetown: The Musical February 19 – March 1, 2026
Mamma Mia! May 28-June 7, 2026
London Community Players – Procunier Hall (Black Box)
Three Tall Women October 16 – 26, 2025
Closer February 5-15, 2026
Harris Cashes Out March 5-15, 2026
The Family Creetin with Banished by the King Productions April 16-25, 2026
London Youth Theatre Education (LYTE)
Junior Musicals (ages 8–13)
Elf Jr. – December 19–21, 2025
Junie B. the Musical Jr. – January 2026
Senior Musicals (ages 14–18)
Mean Girls High School Version – March 2026
Anne of Green Gables: The Musical – March 2026
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
No response was given.
For more information about the Palace Theatre Arts Commons and to purchase tickets, visit https://palacetheatre.ca/
This is the ninth in a series of Q&A Profiles with London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile the London Performing Arts Academy (LPAA).
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
Renée and Courtney Murray founded the company in December 2019, with one high school cast of 14 students.
We wanted to provide a professional level of training for young people and make it affordable and accessible to people who may not otherwise have been able to be involved. We make sure our students feel included in the process and also learn what it is like to be part of a professional theatre production.
(Pictured: Courtney Murray)
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both?
Not-for-profit, Community Theatre and Youth Performing Arts training in dance, vocals, and acting
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
We used to use The Wolf Performance Hall, but we just built our own 130-seat venue, so they will be at 3-80 Bessemer Road now, in the LPAA Family Theatre
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
We want everyone to have the opportunity to experience the world of Musical theatre and fine arts. We strive to create and maintain an inviting, inclusive community where our students have growth and performance opportunities while enjoying their love of theatre.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid Staff?
Yes
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
This is a new year, a new direction for us. We have just built a 130-seat Performance venue in our new location. We are adding more programs and look forward to welcoming new families. We are adding programs as young as “mom and tot” and adding homeschool day programs to accommodate the needs of more families in the community.
Q. What show(s) will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Could you tell me a little bit about each?
Our first production is in December, presented by our Senior Company. They will be performing Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. We have two very talented casts of High School Students. The show will run for ten days.
In January, we will be presenting Mary Poppins, and then in February, we will be presenting our Community Theatre Production of The Little Mermaid. Up next in May-June, we have Legally Blonde presented by our Seniors, Beetlejuice presented by our Juniors, and Alice in Wonderland presented by our Minis.
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
London is a city rich in talented people with a passion for the arts. We love watching theatre here, and we love being able to produce theatre here.
LPAA has been a proud supporter and sponsor of many community theatre and youth programs. The city has a place for all of us, offering various programs, training, and classes to both our students and patrons, and we love being part of that beautiful community.
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.
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.
The Beat Magazine 2025 