2025
history. Having been involved with this event since 2010, when I gingerly audi oned for a role, it always amazes me that the show keeps going on, with new themes, new stories, and new par cipants every year. Arlene Noble's bright idea is s ll shining, ligh ng up the dreary days of fall. Prepare yourself for a whirlwind tour of Collingwood through the ages! This year's theme, It Happened in Collingwood, was suggested by one of our patrons, Ka e Noble. We appreciated the scope of this theme. The possibili es were endless. We are now proud to present 4 totally unique plays spanning 100 years of life in our great community. Two plays feature characters from the past, ordinary people, dealing with frustra ons and anxie es in their daily lives. Two plays are set in recent decades. I bet that many audience members will instantly remember a name or event. I also bet that you learn something new, even if you are a long-term resident. I know I did. Collingwood and its people never fail to fascinate. Monica Wilson, Execu ve Producer As the Gaslight Tour celebrates its 15th anniversary, I'm amazed to realize nine years have passed since I first got involved with this unique all-volunteer theatre group. In 2016 I enrolled in the Page to Stage scene wri ng course, hoping to learn the secrets of wri ng for the stage from playwright Dan Needles. Since then, I've par cipated and volunteered in more capaci es than I can count. From wri ng to stage managing, from marke ng to direc ng to sweeping up and taking out the trash a er a performance, there's not much I haven't done or learned to do. How o en do we—grown ups—have the chance to play? When, if ever, are we encouraged to forget ourselves and become someone else: an old- me poli cian or town father; a nurse or soldier; a woman who advocates for change; a fireworks expert or a fire chief; a sailor or a ghost. The theatre is like a sandbox for adults. (I may have heard Dan Needles say that.) It's a magical place where we play, learn, socialize and some mes reveal a truth of the human condi on. Where new worlds full of interes ng characters and compelling stories are conjured, and a group of strangers is invited to join in the experience. Gaslight's magic resides in the crea vity and collabora ve talents of the many volunteers who come together every year to bring this Tour to the stage. No contribu on is small; every role is essen al. I feel so privileged to be involved. Time flies when you're having fun! Janet Wilkinson, Associate Producer 1
CHAIR / INTERIM SECRETARY: MONICA WILSON A resident of Collingwood since 1974, Monica enjoyed a 34-year teaching career at Collingwood Collegiate, where she taught English and was Head of Library. She raised 3 children in this community and is now proud grandmother of 6. She audi oned for Gaslight in 2010. A er 3 years of ac ng roles, she joined the Produc on Team. Monica led the Gaslight team through 4 successful years, from 2016 to 2019, at which me she passed the baton to Laurie May. Monica got hit by the baton – oops -- grabbed the baton again in 2024, and at 75, is always on the lookout for a successor. “One day I’ll be able to re re.” LOL TREASURER: SUSAN BRINDISI Susan has owned her own accoun ng business since 1998 in Collingwood. She joined the board in 2020 and was appointed Treasurer. She shares the role of Sponsorship Co-ordinator with fellow board member Amelda FitzPatrick. Susan is a recipient of the Order of Collingwood for her many years of volunteerism. She has led a local hiking group (Georgian Triangle Hikers) for the past 16 years and has inspired others to embrace nature in our beau ful town. Being part of the Gaslight Community Theatre board is a beau ful and collabora ve experience. DIRECTOR: LAURIE MAY Laurie May has been a proud member of Gaslight Community Theatre for many years. She hasbeen involved as a workshop par cipant, actor, writer, director, stage manager, and board member. Most recently, she completed a four-year term as the Execu ve Producer. Laurie remains on the Gaslight Board of Directors, in an advisory capacity. This fall, Laurie has contributed to It Happened in Collingwood by wri ng the script for Tina the Time-Travelling Tour Guide. Laurie has developed a deep respect for the vast amount of prepara on and organiza on behind community theatre produc ons. She is thankful for the friendships she has made…and she is very grateful for the audience members who a end the performances, year a er year. DIRECTOR: DAWN HANLEY Dawn joined the board in 2019 but was well known to us since 2013 when her first Gaslight play was produced. Her crea ve mind really shone in 2021, when she and her sister-in-law Theressa Hanley ini ated the concept of an outdoor tour featuring plays inspired by the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery – Cemetery Stories. Dawn has taken on the role of Page-to-Stage Producer for the Play Wri ng Experience. 2
DIRECTOR: JANET WILKINSON Janet is Gaslight’s Associate Producer and another re red CCI teacher. Since 2016, she has volunteered in many roles, including grant wri ng, and has wri en both short scenes and Gaslight Tour plays. Currently Janet is the producer of the Page-to-Stage scene wri ng course and the 4 Scenes and a Cup of Tea performances, and she is a co-facilitator of the Playwri ng Experience. This year she’s also had a blast direc ng and collabora ng with Linda Murphy on Laurie May’s clever Transi on scenes, Time Traveling Tina Takes Us on a Tour. Janet’s play, The Sharpshooter was selected for produc on and features one of her allme favourite characters. Janet is so grateful to Gaslight for giving her the opportunity to discover new interests and talents as a member of this crea ve, caring community. DIRECTOR: AMELDA FITZPATRICK Amelda is a seasoned fundraising professional with over 16 years of experience in the charitable sector. For Amelda, fundraising is not just about securing resources – it is about connec ng people and businesses to programs and services that make a real difference in our community and people’s lives, like Gaslight Theatre! Amelda joined the Gaslight family when she volunteered as a party planner for Marion Bridge in 2018 and as a greeter in 2019. She is thrilled to be a member of the Board and looks forward to this upcoming season! We don’t just attend board meetings... This dedicated team of women is ac vely involved in every part of our produc on: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ As Associate Producer, JANET is busy all the me. Most appreciated is her work on our monthly newsle er and social media. Behind the scenes, JANET oversees all aspects of the produc on from tech to set design. LAURIE creates the characters and writes the scripts for our transi on scenes. SUSAN has been responsible for Sponsorship. This year, she is also direc ng a play (Varia on on a Theme). AMELDA shares the Sponsorship responsibili es. She also leads our Hospitality team. MONICA especially loves designing the annual program. This year, she is also stepping into the director’s role (As Luck Would Have It). MONICA s ll volunteers for Theatre Collingwood, as recording secretary for the board. 3
MONICA WILSON– EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JANET WILKINSON – ASSOCIATE PRODUCER PRODUCTION TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS PAGE-TO-STAGE PRODUCER (PLAYS)…………...........…. DAWN HANLEY PAGE-TO-STAGE PRODUCER (SCENES)………………. JANET WILKINSON SPONSORSHIP …………………SUSAN BRINDISI & AMELDA FITZPATRICK TRANSISTIONS…………………….......................................… LAURIE MAY PROGRAM....……….........…………………………..……...... MONICA WILSON MAKEUP CONSULTANT........................................SEPHORA BENNETT COSTUMES & PROPS....................................................LOUISE DAWE SET CONSTRUCTION.............................LEN BEVAN & DOUG WILSON TECHNICAL EXPERT.......................................................TYLER CLEARY PROFESSIONAL HELP PRINTING/PROGRAM……………………......… ANDREW'S COPY & PRINT BOOKKEEPER…………………....…………...................…. JOSIE SAMMONS WEB DESIGN………………………...………... COLLINGWOOD WEB DESIGN TICKET SALES..........................THEATRE COLLINGWOOD BOX OFFICE DIRECTORS’ WORKSHOP...............................................ERICA ANGUS STAGE MANAGERS’ WORKSHOP............................................JIM ROE LIGHT & SOUND....................................GARION ALLEN (see Page 24) VIDEOGRAPHER.........................................BEN FRISCH (see Page 18) 4
KATHY KILGOUR – RECEPTION Kathy's friendly face has been gree ng Gaslight patrons for the last decade. She welcomes actors during the audi ons, our sponsors at the dress rehearsals, and our audience members during the tour. When the audiences are comfortably seated, Kathy offers her help wherever it is needed. We love you, Kathy! GORD LLEWELLYN – HOUSE MANAGER Gord made his ac ng debut in the 2017 Gaslight produc on of Tales of the Cannery. The process was so enjoyable that he accepted a greater challenge in 2018, performing in Arrow Dynamics. He volunteers to be a greeter any year that he doesn't have an ac ng role. This year, Gord has taken on the posi on of House Manager. He'll make sure that the audience is comfortably seated before he “gives the house” to the stage manager. Big thanks, Gord. JAKE McARTHUR – ANNOUNCER A Gaslight writer, actor, and loyal supporter, jake offered to make our opening announcements this year. jake is also a well-known celebrant. (See page 28). H OSPITALITY T EAM AMELDA FITZPATRICK: We first met Amelda in 2018, when she came on board as the Event Planner for our full-length produc on of Marion Bridge. Now she actually sits on our Board, and she has taken on the huge job of planning our Sponsor Recep on and Intermissions. Amelda is assisted by a great team of volunteers. Yes, you've seen their names before… as Gaslight writers and actors, over past years. We are so lucky to have such dedicated helpers. COLLEEN CONWAY JAN FERRIGAN KAISA LARSSON TARA ORME LATREILLE 5
Last year, Board Member Laurie May came up with the clever idea of using a Museum Guide to keep the audience engaged during set changes between plays. This year, with a new theme, she went back to the drawing board and came up with a new transi on character – Tina, the me travelling tour guide. LAURIE MAY: SCRIPT WRITER / JANET WILKINSON: DIRECTOR LINDA MURPHY – TIME TRAVELLING TINA Linda is a third-genera on actor. Her career has spanned from professional ac ng and keynote speaking, through teaching high school Drama, to selling real estate. Now in her re rement, Linda is a longdistance wilderness backpacker, hiking leader and philanthropist, but her love for the stage always prevails. Back for her ninth Gaslight Tour season, Linda is very grateful to be a part of the ongoing fun, friendship, and local history that Gaslight crea vely wraps all together into a community work of art! ANDJA MARTYNUIK – BACKSTAGE TRAFFIC COP Some transi ons take place behind the scenes. It is essen al that someone oversees entrances, exits, and general ming, to keep the show running smoothly. Andja has taken on this duty. You may not actually see her this year, but you'll remember her as 2024's Museum docent. She is an excellent actor who usually spends her me on stage. We appreciate this change of role. T ECHNICALLY S PEAKING... TYLER CLEARY – TECHNICAL ADVISOR Since 2017, Tyler Cleary has overseen opera ons at the Simcoe Street Theatre, where his ligh ng and projec on design has brought countless produc ons to life. Before taking centre stage on Simcoe Street, Cleary was a member of the Collingwood Museum, where his passion for history and storytelling first began. GARION ALLEN – LIGHT & SOUND This year, we hired Garion to take care of our light, sound, and video cues. His exper se will really bring magic to our stage. (See page 24) 6
T HE S HARPSHOOTER Playwright: Janet Wilkinson Director: Sandra Burley Stage Manager: Sara Clemens PLAY OUTLINE: On the morning of Thursday, September 22, 1898, the widow Alice Oughton confronts besieged GNE manager Thomas Robinson, incensed that the fair's fireworks display has upset her hens and disrupted their egg produc on, thus threatening her livelihood. PLAYWRIGHT: JANET WILKINSON The Sharpshooter owes its origins to “The Great Northern Exhibi on,” an ar cle wri en by Collingwood's Sco y Carmichael in which he reported the 1898 GNE was declared the “best ever” by local newspapers of the me. Apparently, the famous American sharpshooter Annie Oakley was one of the grandstand acts, and the en re show culminated in a magnificent display of fireworks that lasted two hours. Given present-day opposi on to fireworks, Janet wondered how the GNE's neighbours felt about that two-hour display and, from there, the confronta on between one irate neighbour and the GNE's president began to take shape. Janet is thrilled The Sharpshooter is being staged for the 2025 Tour. As always, the dedica on of Gaslight's volunteers—director, stage manager and actors—is humbling. CAST: Thomas Robinson………..............… Peter Bannon James Archer………………............... Marty Wilkinson Alice Oughton……………….............. Pa Mills Professor William Hand…….......... Wya MacRae 7
Fleepit Digital © 2021