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.

• Chair: Ken Doherty
• Secretary: Andrea Bonner
• Treasurer: Lorna Plunkett

Board Members:

• Phil Aldrich
• Scott Bertrand
• Denise McCracken
• Christine McMahon
• Sarah Jayne Riley
• Katie Rowland
• Judy Ruttle
• Joy Lachica (City Council Representative)
• Scott Lale - Ex Officio

Join Our Board of Directors or a Special Committee – Make an Impact in the Arts

Showplace Performance Centre is Peterborough’s premier destination for live music, arts, and culture. We are seeking dynamic, motivated professionals to join our Board of Directors or a Special Committee.

Our Core Values:

🎭 Curiosity: Encouraging lifelong learning and innovation.

🌍 Inclusivity: Embracing diversity and fostering a welcoming environment.

🤝 Collaboration: Strengthening relationships with artists, organizations, and businesses.

🔒 Trust: Upholding mutual respect, integrity, and shared responsibility.

 

Why Join?

• Contribute to a non-profit registered charity
• Support a historic multi-use space where artists thrive
• Help unite the community through diverse programming and local talent support

We foster an environment where everyone feels valued, engaged, and inspired, while curating productions with a strong emphasis on Canadian content.

 

Who We’re Looking For

We seek professionals with experience in:

✔️ Finance, Accounting, Law, Marketing, or Public Administration

✔️ Visionaries eager to bring fresh ideas

✔️ Advocates inspired by our core values of Curiosity, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Trust

 

Board of Directors Volunteer Expectation

✅ Attend 10 meetings per year

Committee Volunteer Expectation

✅ Committees meet once a month

 

Our Committees

• 🎟 Development & Fundraising
• 📜 Governance
• 👥 Human Resources
• 💡 Ideas Committee
• 🏛 Facilities
• 💰 Finance

 

How To Apply

📅 Application Deadline: 

📌 Complete the application form here: https://forms.gle/KVSb6ASvVezhBTF9A

 

If you’re ready to make a lasting impact on arts and culture in Peterborough, we’d love to hear from you!

Sincerely,

Judy Ruttle

Board Chair, Showplace Performance Centre

Interested in volunteering? We’re always looking for passionate individuals to help bring live events to life! Whether you’re interested in ushering, assisting with box office, or supporting behind the scenes, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about how you can get involved.