The Woodstock Museum has opened a new exhibit all about Theatre Woodstock's 75 years of history in the Friendly City.
WOODSTOCK - Theatre Woodstock is celebrating 75 years with a new exhibit at the Woodstock Museum.
It takes a look at the history of the local theatre, which started in 1946 on the heels of World War II. Theatre historian Bonnie Hartley says local actors would perform in front of sold out audiences every night.
"They didn't have a permanent home to start, there used to be a recreation hall in the center of what is now the fairgrounds, that had been a military training ground during the war. Then they moved to WCI and it is kind of hard to fathom, but in the 60's they were playing to sold out houses, over 2,000 people per performance, three nights at week at WCI with that 900 seat auditorium.
In 1996, the theatre moved to its current location at Market Centre Theatre in downtown Woodstock, eventually changing its name to Theatre Woodstock in 2001. Hartley says that Theatre is ultimately about telling stories.
"Community theatre is about providing opportunities for local people to share the creative process of telling those stories, as well as watching them. We have 75 years of stories but can only share a few in this exhibit. This celebration of our history happily coincides with the reopening of the theatre as we emerge from the pandemic."
The 75th anniversary of the Theatre was actually last year, however they wanted to really mark the occasion as the Theatre is ready to make a triumphant return after 2 years.
Today Theatre Woodstock continues to provide a high calibre of community theatre, winning many awards at both local and provincial levels.
The Theatre Woodstock 75th Anniversary Exhibit will be on view at the Woodstock Museum until August 20th, 2022.
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