As usual, the Beech Street Theatre Company has been very active since our last AGM on June 28, 2023. 

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Since our last AGM the BSTC has continued to be very active both on stage and in the community. We ended 2023 performing a benefit fundraiser for Olivia’s Elves,  raising over $1800.00 for Dreams and Wishes Durham. Our community involvement continued as we facilitated drama programs with BIAD, Community Living, CMHA, and the Chartwell Colonial with programs running in the summer and Fall of 2023 and continuing in the spring and Fall of 2024.

 

We maintain a strong relationship with the Town of Whitby, continuing our participation with Culture Connects, attending the Arts and Culture Round Table in January.

 

Besides Christmas Goose last year, our on stage performances included Ghost Walks in October 2023, I should note that although Whitby was in a labour dispute and had to withdraw their involvement in Ghost Walks six days before opening night, the BSTC  restructured the route and scenes, partnered with The Thirsty Jester, and put on a great show. The Town should be commended as they did honour their contract with BSTC and paid us for the performance. The Sodfather opend in April 2024, to a sold out Antonio’s. The Sodfather Part II was not without some difficulties when it opened on September 27, 2024. We had to cancel our benefit show at the Colonial, a few rehearsals, and the Sept 20 & 21 performances. Much praise to both Antonio’s and Star Ticketing for their support and understanding during this time. And of course, Historical Ghost Walks of Whitby will open for its third season on October 18, 2024. 

We did have a bit of a let down in May of 2024 when The Thirsty Jester closed its doors for good which forced us to cancel Jesterfest which included our performance of Pigsville: The Prequel.

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Looking ahead to 2025, planning is in the works to perform Pigsville: The Squeak-quel, as part of Bullfest, in June.  Also under consideration is The Bench, written by Darryl Peters, and, of course, Ghost Walks in October 2025. We have begun negotiations with Amica Taunton and Chartwell Wynfield to begin new drama programs with them. And of course our longtime groups, BIAD, CMHA, Community Living and Chartwell Colonial will continue. We have also begun a new partnership with The Bull, (where the Thirsty Jester used to be. See Pigsville above). 

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All in all, the BSTC is in a strong financial position, with our only grant coming from the Community Development Fund from the Town of Whitby. We maintain strong ties with the business community as members of the Whitby Chamber of Commerce. We received just over $2.000.00 in corporate funding in 2024 from WCC members. I will be representing BSTC when I speak at a Chamber Event on Oct 29. The news media and various theatre organizations, report theatre companies struggling with low attendance and financial difficulties. The BSTC is not immune from this , as our attendance for Sodfather Part II, was down from our previous show.  However, the Beech Street Theatre Company remains very active, financially sound, and very involved in the community around us.

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Michael Khashmanian
President & Managing Artistic Director