Thousand Islands Playhouse launches fundraiser amid cancelled season

For the first time in 38 years, the Thousand Islands Playhouse is cancelling their season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Playhouse will not be welcoming the 45,000 visitors this year that they typically see annually.

Because of this, and the inevitable loss to their ticket sales, Thousand Island Playhouse is kicking off a fundraiser called “Ring the Bell” in hopes that they will not have to close their doors forever. The Playhouse hopes to raise $100,000 to offset the $1.2 million they have lost already.

Brett Christopher, the managing Artistic Director of the Playhouse, said that these funds are crucial for maintaining the quality of theatre that the Playhouse has delivered for 38 years.

“As a not-for-profit charity we rely heavily on our revenue to cover our expenses,” said Christopher. “And with over $1 million already spent in sunk and fixed costs, the company is in a difficult financial position. These funds are crucial to maintaining the company’s momentum and the quality of theatre and experience people have come to expect at the Playhouse.”

To make a donation, the Playhouse is asking that people pay what they would have paid for the 2020 season to the fundraiser, or for one time ticket buyers to pay the same amount as one ticket.

The donations will be matched by the Playhouse’s corporate and community partners, Homestead Land Holdings, RBC Wealth Management, the Town of Gananoque and the company’s board of directors.

Christopher says that the Playhouse appreciates all that the community has done already.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with kindness and support since suspending our season and we are so thankful to our matching partners and to those who have already donated to this important campaign,” said Christopher. “This generous support will help ensure that quality theatre lives on in the 1000 Islands for years to come.”

To make a donation visit this website.