We have been such a hive of activity for the past couple of weeks that it is sometimes hard to stop and breathe and remember why we do what we do.
So today I want to take a moment to celebrate what I think the potential of Ross Creek is, inspired by this past Sunday.
On that day, Two Planks had a regular matinee performance of Quixote! and also reserved space for people who might not be in our everyday audiences. We contacted some local farmers to invite their Latin American workers, worked through immigrant settlement agencies to welcome new Canadians, and asked our staff to reach out to their networks to bring new audiences to the theatre. We also had a small picnic in advance for them to celebrate their contributions to our community and to let them know that we want Ross Creek to be an important part of their world. We had a synopsis of the play translated into multiple languages and a Spanish translation of the welcome speech facilitated by Program Director Vero Madero. It was a joy to see how a simple gesture of sharing our work with people who might not have known about the Centre or the theatre led to so much joy.
When that show was over, we welcomed our overnight campers, many returning and others joining us for the first time. The Centre was abuzz with all the excitement and nervousness that lasts for a minute until the counsellors take over from the parents and get the campers settled into an incredible week of creativity and fun. Then our faculty arrived, professional artists working in fashion, film, jewelry, animation, graphic novels and visual art, connecting with each other and planning out their week of skill development and arts education and engaging with the campers from the very first minute.
It takes an enormous amount of energy and commitment from everyone: youth volunteers, camp staff, artists, administration, kitchen wizards, gardeners, and property folks to make everything run beautifully. At every Friday afternoon showcase for SummerArts, we talk about how every job here is important – from cleaning and doing dishes to recreation and programming, from stage management, theatre production and performance to administration and communications and everything else. No one element can succeed or even be possible in isolation.
And nothing would be possible without you: our audiences, our camp families, our artists, our funders. We want to take a moment to thank you for reading this, for coming to shows, for sending your kids to camp, for visiting our gallery, for donating, for promoting and advocating for the arts in all parts of our lives. Human creativity must be accessible for all, and at Ross Creek we are working to make the centre a space that celebrates diversity of cultural expression, and where people can share their stories through the arts. Please keep using your voice to advocate for spaces like Ross Creek with politicians at every level and talk to us about how we can continue to make Ross Creek even more accessible. And if you haven’t been to the theatre yet this season, or been part of a program, please don’t delay. As you will see below, we are very proud of all we are doing.
If you are in a position to help us with a donation to make all of what we do possible, this is the time we need it most. You can do a single amount, or make a monthly donation if that makes it easier for you. If you already have, thank you!
We are also still looking for some board members and volunteers to help us move forward in a way that reflects the values we strive to live up to everyday. See here for info.
We also especially want to thank all of our staff, all of our volunteers, and the artists, both at the theatre and on faculty, who all contribute to making magic every single day. They inspire us, challenge us, and help us to learn and find joy in moments like those on Sunday.
Together with you, we can chart the way forward for a better world through arts and culture. That’s why we do what we do and we are grateful you are with us.
With love,
Chris and Ken
