SOUTHEAST SASKATCHEWAN - It is no secret that small-town theatres face challenges in staying viable.
Yet, in the heart of southeast Saskatchewan, two theatres are bucking the trend, serving as vibrant cultural hubs, offering affordable entertainment and enriching the lives of local residents. The Mac Murray Theatre in Arcola and the Cornerstone Theatre in Carlyle are examples of what can be accomplished when creativity, passion and community spirit come together. Here, volunteers and community organizations step up to the plate, ensuring that these theatres continue to thrive and provide affordable entertainment to the public.
The Mac Murray Theatre owes much of its success to the tireless efforts of the Arcola Optimist Club. Since its charter in 1983, this dedicated group has raised funds through events like the popular annual snowmobile derby and various community initiatives. Their fundraising has helped maintain the theatre and its state-of-the-art digital projection equipment, ensuring the community enjoys top-quality films in a historic setting. What’s more, thanks to their hard work, the theatre has remained accessible, offering movie nights at a fraction of the price paid in the city.
Similarly, the Cornerstone Theatre in Carlyle owes its continued success to the hardworking and creative members of the Cornerstone Theatre Group. Volunteers here help maintain the cozy yet vibrant Carlyle Memorial Hall, where both live theatre performances and film screenings take place. The theatre has also embraced digital projection technology and sound, enhancing the quality of the viewing experience for audiences.
A beloved tradition, the Dickens Village Festival play, will take the stage at the Cornerstone Theatre from Dec. 6-8, with performances on Dec. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. and a Dec. 8 matinee at 2 p.m.
Cara Luft will be at the Mac Murray Theatre on Dec. 13 in a co-sponsored event by the Arcola Optimists & Performance Realty. A Winnipeg-based Juno Award-winning artist, on her 50 for 50 World Tour, this founding member of the Wailing Jennies and currently one-half of The Small Glories, Luft will be performing live as part of her birthday celebration tour, with the goal of completing 50 performances for her 50th birthday. The evening will also feature a warm-up act and accompaniment by Janelle Boutin, one of Luft’s talented students. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show begins an hour later.
