Capitol Theatre Rally

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• I have been out of town on tour with "The Spirit of Harriet Tubman", the play mentioned above by Elaine Weeks. I have toured across Canada and the United States and The Capitol Theatre is by far the nicest venue of its size, in so many ways, that I have performed in. I, too, am hopeful that the city has some alternate plan for the Capitol that will see it survive as a theatre. Poor management has definitly been the main problem with the Capitol Theatre. For years theatre professionals have offered suggestions as to improving the viablilty of the theatre to no avail. There is so much talent in this city it isn't funny. We have a drama school at the University that is considered on of the country's best and a new musical theatre program at St. Clair College where we train performers to leave this city to work in cities across Canada that understand that show business (and theatre is a business!) can be very lucrative. I had mentioned many times to the past management that we have a potential audience base of over a million people - considering both sides of the border - and that in large numbers those people leave or pass through Windsor to see theatre in Toronto, Stratford, London, etc. In the ten years that bingo revenue was supporting the Capitol Theatre it could have developed into a professional theatre venue that kept those people here. I have read several of the above postings that have maligned the staff along side of the poor management. Many of the employees have been trying to make changes for years, only to be fired. When someone would complain to a member of the board of directors who seemed sympathetic to concerns of employees and artists who knew that changes in management were essential, that board member would disappear. I have personally brought directors and producers from out of town who loved the venue and wanted to do more work in it only to have them thwarted by the past management. The irony in most of this is that the "past management" is finally gone and the people who were in there now were starting to try to do the things that could make the theatre viable. Statistics have demonstrated that major cities across Canada devote from a high of 7.6% of their total annual budget to the arts (Calgary) to a low of .1% (Windsor). If Windsor were to commit 3.4% (the next lowest amount) of the total annual budget to the arts we would have money for The Symphony, The Art Gallery, and The Capitol Theatre with something to spare. It's really a shame when the arts are held in such low esteem in a city of our size. Maybe that's part of the reason why our city is regarded with such low esteem by outsiders.

  By the way, many people who had never attended the Capitol Theatre before attended the performance of "The Spirit of Harriet Tubman". Most of them were surprised at what a wonderful venue it is and changed their sentiments on the value of the Capitol Theatre to the city and expressed that they would not mind paying more on their taxes to support it. Just to let you know.

• Leslie,
  Welcome back and congrats on your sucesses outside of Windsor....shame people from out of town can't bring all their tourism dollars here to see you in our own beautifjul house.
  Perhaps one day...You are definately one of our 'Local Treasures".
  Peace

• Dear Friends,
  I am sending this as a last desperate attempt to increase tickets sales for tomorrow night at Mackenzie Hall.

  I was at a near sell out at the Capitol (which would have sold out a couple of weeks ago). From the ticket sales that were refunded, only 15 people have purchased new tickets for Mackenzie Hall.
  I am hoping you may want to attend this event, dinner and comedy show,(or tell as many of your friends as possible). I will include all the info below. I had to give the caterer a number for meals and if I don't sell an additional 21 tickets I will have to pay for the meals myself and we simply don't have the means to do that.

  Sorry to sound so pleading, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
  If you are unable to attend yourselves, please try and persuade friends and family, I stand by my mission statement "To put a smile on your face and a laugh in your belly".
  Please find all the info below and thanks for your time,
  Michelle J. Mainwaring
  p.s.
  Lots of free parking at Mackenzie Hall.
  : )

  "It's Over in the Clover!"

  March 17th, 2007
  Originally scheduled for the Capitol Theatre now being presented at Mackenzie Hall

  Don't drink until you can't see straight this St. Paddy's Day. Come out and enjoy an evening of Irish Enchantment, Lore and Lunacy with MJM Entertainment Productions newest, Irish Comedy...

  "It's Over in the Clover!" featuring the comedic stylings of the O'Hardly family.

  Dinner and Show $45

  Show starts at 7:00p.m.

  Doors open at 6:30 for cocktails

  Call Mackenzie Hall for ticket info at 519-255-7600

  This show is not suitable for children, get a sitter and relax for a change.

• As the former General Manager of the Capitol and past board member of both the Arts Council and Artcite, it saddens me to read and hear false statements allegations of greed etc. and generally negative comments from the board, former staff and my arts community about the administration and “alleged” mismanagement of the Capitol during my tenure.

  In particular, from a community that has in fact, "substantially benefited" from my previous administrations so called "greed" or should I say, "very successful venue administration, innovative programming and services, grantmanship, fundraising, mutual marketing brochures and special events".

  All local arts groups during my tenure received subsidized rental rates to the tune of 75% of their actual cost. This overt subsidization of community groups, I would say, is most certainly "not greed". All groups received a significant amount of additional technical, production and marketing assistance for their events at no additional charge as well.

  Over the 14 years of my tenure, local community rental subsidizations total’s over $3.5 million. The initial interior renovations had to be cut back by 2 million dollars as the original bids came in two million to high. Since the renovations in 1995 the Capitol has been continually repairing, renovating and upgrading the facilities ever since with the funds it generated from bingo’s. Are we starting to begin to understand where the money went?

  Prior to resigning my position as General Manager, an audit was “in fact completed” and never released by the Board. The audit stated that there "was not even the possibility of misappropriation of funds". Unfortunately, the Board never released this audit to the public or media, which would have cleared up both the unsubstantiated allegations and concerns relating to "where all the money had gone".
  It went to the ongoing restorations, renovations, operation and upgrading of the facilities, including box-office, web and technical equipment for the benefit of the community.

  It is really tragic that this art community unlike the Feds and the Province, has “never been able” to focus on the positives and acknowledge success of the Capitol and truly support it. Based on what I am seeing lately, this still is the case.
  In fact some in this arts community have yet again earned a poor reputation, by continuing to undermine its successes and repeatedly "biting the hands that feed them".

  It sickens me, to think that members of our arts community can be so short sighted. That I and many others, could pour our hearts and soles into this massive project, for the development of the performing arts in our community and in return be treated so poorly, by the very people we have struggled so hard to serve and gave so much of our time and expertise to. Particularly, when we have exceeded expectations and achieved success on many levels, in spite of almost insurmountable odds.

  The Capitol was recognized nationally for its restoration and was used Federally as a model for facility renovation /restoration projects. The Capitol offered many additional services to the community, that similar venues in almost all other municipalities did not offer, in spite of our lack of municipal subsidization.

  It should be noted that Federal or Provincial funding is not available for “community amateur theatre” yet the Capitol always supported and subsidized it’s community groups in spite of the lack of funding available for this purpose.
  It’s a very sad statement, when the arts community criticizes the administration for presenting and supporting emerging touring artists and performing art companies, when it is the facilities mandate to do so. The Capitol was a very important part of the emerging and Canadian artist food chain, not only for local groups but national and international performers as well.

  It is pathetically sad, when all the effort that has gone into the development of the theatre, has been dismissed by members of the community, who have no clue what went into it or what it takes to operate it. Those who would not and have not contributed anything to it, that didn't involve some form of personal gain for themselves. It’s really ironic, that those very individuals are now and have been, front and centre for the past months since I left, referring to my and many others efforts as self-serving and mere "resume building".

  The arts community has never recognized or understood the magnitude of the funding requirements, nor the operational challenges facing the theatre due to those requirements and the conditions related to the securing and utilization of federal and provincial funding and frankly from what I have seen recently, clearly still doesn't.

  The Capitol had just completed a strategic planning exercise in 2004 and was implementing its recommendations. We had just begun making the changes identified in the study, when a select few of the staff and a newly hired operations manager made a very strategic effort to undermine me and stage a coo.
  They approached the Board and media with false information and subsequently attempted to apply for my job. The lead bullies also wrote letters that contained many unsubstantiated allegations. Several of the staff were “in on it”, meetings were held off site, inviting staff and former staff and community members to assist in the organization of a mobbing.
  It is very important to note here, that one of the leaders of this group had recently resigned their position at the theatre, specifically one that was identified in the study, as needing to be replaced. The study recommended that we hire a more "competent and experienced" Director of Development and demote this person to assistant status.
  This self-righteous appearing individual was and is, so bitter about this, that she has made repeated untrue allegations and still continues to make every effort to not only to damage my reputation but tarnish the successes and achievements of the whole organization.

  Prior to my resignation, a committee of council was set up in May of 2005, to begin to discuss the possibility of an annual operating grant, due to both an unexpected 17 % drop in that fiscal years bingo funds prior to the implementation of the smoking legislation, also in that fiscal year and the city clerk was beginning to warn us of a reduction of our allotted number of bingo licenses in the very near future. The Capitol was well aware, that the demise of bingos entirely, was not only possible but probable, due to the impact of the smoking legislation. That’s why we went to council in May of 2005.

  The fundraising environment has drastically changed since we made the agreement to be self-supporting in 1993. That agreement was made not only on the basis of having the opportunity to operate charity casinos and bingos but on the basis of not competing with government subsidized casino entertainment venues as well. The Capitol was the only annual non government owned and subsidized venue of its kind in Windsor. It had to compete with subsidized venues such as Walkerville, Mackenzie Hall, The Chrysler Theatre and the University facilities. The only way it could offer rental rates relatively comparable with the other subsidized venues, was to run bingos and charity casinos.
  Some community groups could not even afford those subsidized rates and the Capitol provided additional aid to those groups, in order to allow for their development as companies.

  However, the Capitol Board chose NOT to meet with the appointed council committee following my departure. Instead they chose to mislead not only city council but the public, grantors and the arts community. Moving funds that were set aside for endowment purposes into operating in order to balance their budget, it should be noted that bingo’s revenues recovered that year due to the closing of a hall as well.
  Stating repeatedly in the press, that not only has it's financial position recovered from previous “mismanagement” which was actually an unanticipated “$230,000 drop in bingo funding”, but also reporting that it's financial position was in fact now stable, even implying that there were new funding prospects on the horizon. A one time bequest that is held up in probate is not stable funding.
  The Acting General Manager / Board has been donating the facility to community groups in the form of co-presents, in order to cover up poor decisions on the Boards part and to feed into the “mobbing frenzy” they allowed to be created, in order to now "improve its image" or should I say “buy the affection” of selected arts groups and individuals, when it did not have the financial resources to do so. All the while, they are loaning the theatre money in order to stay in business. This is not only a conflict but really unethical and it is just down right irresponsible.

  Programming a season while knowing full well, that they would NOT have the funds to pay the artists, fulfill rental contracts or complete the 06/07 season. Yet they went ahead and proceeded to mislead those artists and the public. A season most certainly never should have been booked under those circumstances. The Board made every effort to appear as if, it was taking care of business, yet they chose to ignore the reality of the bingo situation and the financial position of the theatre, playing to the media, leaving on extended vacations, and even running for city council.
  Sadly, waiting until it was too late to do anything meaningful.

  Prior to and following my resignation, the Board, has basically followed to a "T" the Carver Book on Board Leadership specifically, the sections on what "NOT TO DO" as a Board!

  Being the General Manager of a facility is not a "popularity contest". You do not go to the public and conduct an evaluation of your CEO, you do not interview employees that were fired by me "for cause" and ask them "what they think of the Manager".
  The Daudlin Report undertaking was utterly ridiculous and frankly the document has no basis in fact and is libelous. I have not read it, my lawyer told me that was in fact the case. As Carver states in his book this was/is "a dodge for ineffective Boards".

  I cannot believe that some of these individuals who were fired “for cause” as well as the administrator of an umbrella arts organization that tried to avoid paying out and spent, funds in held in trust for the Capitol Theatre, are now front and centre talking about how to secure funds, operate facilities and manage those funds. Truly absurd.

  Windsor’s arts community is just too small and way to incestuous. Sadly, for some members, it's motto appears to be "self interest above all else" at any cost, with no consideration of the bigger picture or working together.

  I have made many difficult and challenging decisions as a Manager and I readily admit a few mistakes as well. I was far from perfect, but I do know that I ethically managed the venue and always gave my best effort. I certainly didn’t and do not deserve this nonsense. You know what they say, "it takes a village".

  Fortunately, I never gave up, nor did I ever make as big a mistake, as misleading the public or mismanaging the finances or affairs of the theatre, then hand the keys over to the city. Nor, did I ever alienate and give ultimatums to council.

  The theatre's future is not a ego driven ‘political game’, to be played by some opportunistic members of the arts community and former staff when it's convenient for them. I do not know how they can be so dishonest, selfish and arrogant and sleep at night. Staff and the pubic has always had access to the detailed financial statements as a public trust, they sat in binders in the centre of the office for all to see and were available to the community upon request and as well annual audits were distributed at the annual meetings. It is most unfortunate, that some of the past and present staff and others did not have the ability to comprehend them.

  Former staff, the board and the arts community have played games with my life and the future of the facility and the results are now crystal clear.
  Adding commentary on sites, lying about activities and spreading rumors and innuendos. Making statements and accusations with no merit, with no comprehension of what the actual figures are, or what it takes to run, fundraise and operate such a venue.
  230 + events in the venue annually, 1000 + bingo events, Celtic festivals, fundraising gala events, hundreds of volunteers etc. etc.
  The Capitol had increased it’s attendance levels to over 65 thousand annually, programming and presenting numerous sold out shows prior to my leaving. It is shocking to see to responses and endorsements of the rumors by other individual members of the community that have little or no accurate information. Shame on you all.

  Council and the media has always stated that there was too much infighting in the arts community, that it “cannot get it together, work together or operate professionally like a business” and I always believed and told them that it was possible, but now after all of this...I believe they are right as the former "Capitol staff and some members of the arts community" have once again proven them right, in spades. BRAVO

  During my 14 year tenure, we successfully purchased the facility for $1.83 million in 1993 and have completed over $7 million in renovations.
  The Capitol fundraised over 900K net from the community towards those renovations and over 600K net annually in order to support its operations, continue repairs and renovations and subsidize community rentals.

  Local community arts groups have been the "major beneficiary" of the efforts of my 14 years of fundraising, grant writing and administration.

  I am extremely proud of what was achieved during my tenure as Fundraising Director, Assistant Manager and General Manager.
  I was very fortunate to have been given the wonderful opportunity, to work with some really bright, amazing people and very talented artists, to lovingly restore and create and develop a multiple award winning facility and present and produce award winning seasonal programming, gala’s and special events.

  The fact that the Capitol Theatre was a very successful award winning and innovative during my tenure, is really something you "cannot tarnish" and does speak much louder than the recent unfounded and misinformed allegations and accusations.

  Almost twenty months after my leaving, it's is bankrupt and crying "foul play" on the part of council and the community can do nothing meaningful to save it.

  In fact there now asking “where are the people who saved it in 1991?"
  It's not surprising that we have backed off, after former and current staff as well as some members of the arts community have repeatedly trashed our efforts.
  Frankly, this whole fiasco has been a really tragic play.

  I now watch the demise of the theatre and the mishandling of the whole situation, along with the feeble attempts of the local arts groups to organize, lobby, make presentations and protest with vindication.

  So don’t ask where we are we now... I loved what I did, but it did take a personal toll.
  Honestly, I am very happy, well rested and for the first time in the last 14 years stress free, worry free and sleeping well.

  Perhaps, in stead of speculating, blaming and spreading rumors, you should put your money, time, passion and considerable effort into saving, building, renovating, fundraising and programming a multiple award winning facility.

  I know I did.
  Patricia Warren BFA - CFRE

• Patricia,
  I read every single word of your post and have to commend you for coming forward with your story. People don't have an understanding of all that has gone on, I know I don't, and your letter holds so much merrit and was so precisely written to the point that I found myself waiting for the next part of your story with a faster heart rate.

  You were the reason MJM was able to have had so many successes at the Capitol Theatre and you mentioned all the media support that was provided at no charge...for us, it was like a dream, we were grateful and knew the value and what a tremendous opportunity it was and we had a great run there for awhile and what I felt was a great partnership and working relationship. I would have liked to have seen that grow in other artistic directions.

  I know most people don't have any clue as to what it costs just to keep the heat and lights on in that building, because we have sat together in that once cozy office area and talked about it. And people do not have a concept of the continuing repairs and updates that were necessary to keep it up to date and meet all the codes and what not (see, I don't even have a proper understanding of it).
  Some people have said disparraging things, about you and about both of us, I'm sure, but, I truthfully tell you now (and to whoever happens to read this as well) that I have never had anything but a high respect for what you did in the Capitol and how you treated me and my crew (and have always said so and will continue to say so). It wasn't the same without you when you left, there was a definate switch in energy, can't say exactly what it was as it continuosly changed until my last moments there.

  You mentioned feeble attempts by artists, for myself, and my group, we didn't know what else to do, but what we do...create art. I did write to the Prime Minister, Bill Gates, Shania Twain and a bunch of other well to do's....looking for help...all to no avail...more feeble attempts, seems like, but when you're left with no sign of hope, you get desperate. I know the attempts my group made wasn't for the glory, but for the love of the Capitol and all that it is and used to be.

  Anyway, you shed a lot of light on a lot of things. I am glad you are stress free and sleeping well. I selfishly wish that you were a little more stressed and back at the helm stearing the ship with a host full of artists and audience around you. I do know that you cared about that place and the artists like myself, who came through those doors. I do know that you had a smart working knowledge of all operations and I believe the Capitol's doors would still be open if you were left in place 20 months ago. I also appreciate you coming forward with your story, it is a powerful one and some won't believe it, but you lived it...you know.
  For what it's worth...I'm sorry you went through what you did, and am grateful for the opportunity you afforded us.

  Peace,
  Michelle

  P.S. I parked in front of the Capitol today on my way to a meeting and on the way back I stopped and looked in the windows. Through the glass double doors I saw the cold, dark loniness inside and (being an artist, and a much too sensitive soul) I cried. Then I looked in the office window and saw its emptiness and abandoned plants and thought "whose going to water them" and I cried again.

• Michelle,
  Thank you.
  When I said feeble attempts, I meant "unsuccessful" – “falling on deaf ears”.
  I thought your comments presented at council and submitted in the paper, were very accurate, well presented and heart felt.
  The reason the Mayor cut the arts groups short during council and have not been responding to emails, was not the arts groups fault.
  It was because after I left, the Board did not meet with or provide the committee that was appointed to help the Capitol, with the requested information.
  The Board chose to by-pass this committee and when in crisis, went directly to the Mayor making demands and threatening to hand over the keys.
  Councillor Dave mentioned this during the meeting but none of the arts groups picked up on it, nor was it pursued further during the meeting.
  I am very sad and sorry this happened as well...I didn't want to say anything before now because; I really wanted to give it every chance to succeed.
  It is in the hands of the City now and I do hope and have faith, that they will make the facility available for the community.
  Don't give up, set up meetings, sit on the appointed committee and talk to the councilors.
  Pat

• Just wanted to add that although I was not at the rally for the Capitol, there were other artists and arts groups like the Riverfront Theatre and all the kids that came out who really just wanted to show their support for the Capitol in the only way they knew how, because they love it and have no hidden agendas.

• Well everyone, it seems the time has come to put everything else aside and focus on a solution, and pray there is not a dissolution.

  Please put any and all 'negativie feelings' aside and 'blame placing' and 'wondering why's' away for good and keep your positive energies focussed on the Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre, the primary focus in this dramatic game.
  The Theatre itself is what it is all about and I will say it again, as it has been said by many before me: there is strength in numbers.

  We all may not agree on the same level about a great many things, but I know we all agree that the number one priority in our 'arts community' is keeping that glorius and regal gem accessible to us all.
  We all must band together, be heard with one voice "we love the Capitol and will work together to keep it alive".

  You can not have peace if you retaliate with war...we must stand together for what we believe in. Brothers and sisters of the arts....not all families like each other, but they can live in the same house.
  Peace,
  Michelle

• Patricia,

  I commend the work that you did in trying to maintain The Capitol Theatre. As a General Manager you did the best you could under the circumstances and I understand some of the constraints you were under as well as what it took to run a theatre as I do know "the business". However, I also know that some of the errors that, even you admit to having made, may have been costly ones. I know that, sometimes, your management style was difficult for others to work with. This from people outside of the city with which we have both have contact in our travels and associations. It has always been my opinion that an artistic director was needed to oversee the theatre artistically while you managed it fiscally. Doing both jobs was impossible. I think that would have netted the optimum environment for all involved. The main problem with the fate of the theatre was the sudden loss of bingo revenue. It is a shame, regardless of the other circumstances surrounding the theatre, management or otherwise, that the citizens of the city of Windsor in general and its leadership in particular, cannot see the value of maintaining a theatre venue like the Capitol Theatre. Its fate shouldn't have been left to the fortunes or misfortunes of the bingo industry in any event. We, as a cummunity, should be more knowledgeable about the value of the arts to a thriving, vibrant community and should support them accordingly.

  Saving The Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre is the only thing that is important now!

  Leslie

• Leslie,

  At least I admit to making some. If your not moving forward, taking risks
  and breaking new ground, you don't make any mistakes. However, the price
  paid for errors was primarily personal.

  It's really unfortunate and amazing how distorted information becomes when
  it's repeated over and over. That some continue to make ill informed or
  unfounded allegations and make up stories, the reality of this mess is
  unbelievable enough.

  No Board members were ever replaced for that reason, and no employees were
  ever fired for trying to make changes. In fact new ideas were encouraged and
  incorporated. Board vacancies were filled for lack of attendance at meetings
  as per by-laws, and staff were only fired "for cause" some specifically for
  fraud, theft and criminal breach of trust. Leslie it's not easy to run a
  facility of this size, twenty board members, as many as fifteen staff and a
  hundred + volunteers, forty bingo crew workers and numerous community groups
  all with special needs, interests and focuses.

  I negotiated hundreds of contracts and fee's for touring artists and I am
  sorry to say, no venue in Ontario that "primarily presents touring artists
  and rents facilities" has a position of "Artistic Director" where it is a
  persons "sole responsibility" to program the venue. Venues are primarily
  programmed by their Managers. I attended almost every artist showcase for
  the last 14 years and I don't believe you need to be an actor nor a director
  in order to recognize talent, good quality productions and understand your
  market.

  I have raised some eyebrows and ruffled a few feathers along the way.
  Primarily because I always promoted Windsor and Windsor artists to both
  national and provincial touring associations and agents at those showcases
  and meetings, I even promoted you Leslie. Also, because we were doing things
  ahead of other venues that had been around for 30 -50 years. We were moving
  forward at a very fast pace and some didn't want hear about or have anyone
  compare our success, in spite of the lack of municipal funding, with the
  status of their own facilities. Even so, I was often approached for advise
  on many aspects of our theatre programs, forms, contracts and fundraising
  strategies as well.

  I received many positive thank you letters from both artists and agents
  commenting on the service and quality of the Capitol venue, even from those
  that had nothing positive to say about Windsor prior to coming to the
  Capitol. I have repeatedly stated that some of our amateur and student
  theatre, is as strong if not stronger than some of the professional equity
  theatre they showcased. I know they found it very hard to believe and didn't
  like what I said, but it's true, we also have stronger music acts in our
  bars and clubs in this area than many of the emerging music acts they were
  showcasing for venues.

  Windsor is a very unique market and most of the agents and promoters don't
  understand the nature and impact of our proximity to Detroit nor do they
  realize our opportunity to see world class entertainment minutes away. They
  also didn't understand the media in this market the fact that there are 30
  some odd radio stations in the area that aren't mandated to play Canadian
  artist. They didn't know that most of these artists have no exposure in this
  area and that very few Windsorites know what a Juno is. Many of the artists
  and theatrical productions showcased would never work in Windsor, unlike
  small rural towns or northern cities, where they don't have as much variety
  or opportunity to see and hear international world class entertainment. Many
  artists showcased just weren't high enough quality to present. They had a
  very hard time understanding that we are in fact in competition with those
  American venues and clubs as well. That people in Windsor cross the border
  often and very easily.

  Yes, your right, it is sad that we had to rely on Bingo funding when all
  other venues in this area, and of it's kind receive municipal or
  governmental operating support. However, if it wasn't for bingo, there would
  be no Capitol Theatre. The theatre never would have been able to sustain
  itself or offer the comparable rates and services it did. Like it has been
  stated many times over, "it is the only venue of its kind in Ontario and
  possibly the country that is not operationally subsidized". Running that
  many bingos, was no small feat either, yet at one point we even had the
  lowest loss per event ratio in the city. We designed forms and trained other
  organizations to administer bingos effectively as well.

  I had many positive and mutually rewarding relationships with many agents
  and artists that supported both myself and the theatre, by allowing 50/50
  splits in order to develop artists in our market and offer school
  programming etc. In fact we still keep in touch. We even supported the
  agent/producer for your Bravo recording, as I recall and received a nice
  letter also.

  The Capitol presented many firsts in this area and in Ontario, we were in
  fact leaders in presenting emerging artists in selected genres. Many acts
  upon the Capitol presenting them first, subsequently went on to the touring
  circuit. Classic Albums Live and the World Music and Jazz Series are prime
  examples. I secured "artistic directors" for the genre's that I had limited
  experience in, Hugh Leal for the Jazz Series and the manager of Small World
  Music out of Toronto who were very knowledgeable in these areas, they either
  programmed or assisted with the programming of each series. I also, sought
  the advise of many in the community, for selected programs as well. I never
  had to worked alone, I always had input and specialized expert advise when
  required.

  Stratford wasn't built in a day, not that long ago and for many years it was
  millions in debt. Even though there is 4 million people surrounding Windsor.
  Very few come to Windsor for theatrical entertainment. The Capitol certainly
  could not afford to market to the US market based on our seating capacity.
  We always attempted to secure coverage and sponsorships and we did receive
  both, but it didn't produce audiences. This market did not and will not come
  to Windsor for amateur theatre. Development of this market takes time and a
  very consistent style of professional theatrical programming with extended
  runs. It also takes a community that can offer other attractions in order to
  secure extended stays.

  The Capitol was leading the venue into this type of extended run
  programming, after producing 21 theatrical and musical productions since
  1997 some with record box-office receipts. It should be noted here, that the
  Salvation Army building was donated to the Capitol in 2002 for that purpose.
  It was our hope to secure funds to renovate the building and work with both
  the College and University towards the development of a fully equipped
  production facility and training centre, that would not only support the
  Capitol's productions and the development of a professional company but
  assist and be available to community groups in order to improve and increase
  their production values as well. However, we were turned down in 2003 for a
  trillium grant to develop a feasibility study on the facility.

  The theatre operation was complex and its programming was very broad and
  diverse. I believe this was one of its major assets.

  Patricia Warren BFA-CFRE