Showplace Performance Centre has been Peterborough’s regional centre for the performing arts since October 1996 and has a mission to present, promote, and sustain the performing arts; encourage and support active community involvement; maintain its facility; provide opportunities for local and touring artists to perform in a professional-quality venue; entertain, inspire, nurture, educate, and empower artists and audiences alike. Join us, as our organization strives to enrich the cultural fabric of our community with its continuing arts celebration.
The History Of Showplace
Written by Beth McMaster
The opening of Showplace Performance Centre on October 5, 1996, truly was a night of celebration. When the glittering show began with the song This is the Moment, it spoke for everyone in that sold-out house. After decades of frustrating attempts to establish a theatre, Showplace marked the beginning of a new era of entertainment for the Peterborough area.
The theatre at 290 George Street was created from what had been built in 1947 as the Odeon movie theatre. The J Arthur Rank Organization had opened the state-of-the-art space with the mystery thriller Green for Danger and showed, as well as the recent Royal Wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten. Newspapers of the day gave the new movie house rave reviews.
In 1979 the theatre was divided into two spaces and although it was under different ownership (Trent Cinemas), it was still operating in that form when the newly formed Showplace Board of Directors purchased it in 1995.
Architectural firm Lett/Smith was selected to design the 650 seat space. The building was totally gutted and reconstructed into the beautiful theatre it is today. Capital fundraising continued until the mortgage was burned within 4 years of opening.
Much of the campaign success can be attributed to the volunteers who organized fundraisers, canvassed for sponsorships and sold naming opportunities. Of the $3.2 million cost of the project, $2 million was raised by the Campaign and Fund Raising Committees. Volunteers still play a major role in the ongoing success of Showplace.
Board Of Directors
- Chair: Ken Doherty
- Past Chair: Wayne Bonner
- Treasurer: Lorna Plunkett
Board Members:
- Phil Aldrich
- Brenda Booth
- John Cunningham
- Sarah-Jayne Riley
- Judy Ruttle
- Christine McMahon
- Katie Rowland
- Joy Lachica (City Council Representative)
Volunteer Opportunities
Dedicated volunteers have played a big role in the Showplace success story and most would agree that they’ve had a great deal of fun doing it! Join the Showplace Volunteer Team and become a part of this important community project. Our volunteers fill a number of important positions at the theatre, including ushering, taking tickets, monitoring the lobby, working the box office, bartending, and running the coat check station.
Our volunteers are assigned to one of five “teams” which are headed by a “team leader.” The team leader sends out the monthly assignments of shows and events to each of their team members, and then fills the required volunteer positions for each event. Each team typically receives 3 to 5 events monthly, and the time commitment per event is usually about 3 hours per shift. If you can lend a helping hand, simply fill out this form (see below) or click here to download it.