WALLACEBURG ARTS: Jeanne Gordon venue a gem that must be saved

This may very well be the easiest column I’ve ever composed because I’m angry and angry people rant.

In case you don’t know me, know my temperament, have read any of my Facebook posts or watched any of my videos, I’m never an angry person. I pride myself on that.

But this week is different because now, I’m angry.

I will approach this from the standpoint that readers understand how important arts and culture are to every community. It’s what I write about every other week.

A rich arts scene can be a huge factor in attracting new citizens, and it is what keeps current citizens happy.

Both Dan White and I have written ad nauseum about the lack of a theatre in Wallaceburg.

Dan White is a proven actor, director, and producer in the world of theatre, but he has nowhere to even attempt to mount a production.

Wallaceburg has the talent, and I’ve been bugging him to produce a full-fledged musical for a few years now.

We have actors who have had to leave town to participate in theatrical productions, and now with our large pool of concert band musicians, we could put together an amazing pit band, but there is no theatre.

I lead a band of just shy of 60 members, another band of roughly 20 members, and lead the Brass Factory big band, but aside from Wallaceburg District Secondary School we don’t have an indoor venue to play in. A gym is not a theatre.

But this not just about me and my personal projects, nor is it just about Dan. It’s a much bigger issue, and matters of principle are involved.

I received an advertisement in my Facebook feed this morning indicating local musical theatre phenom Mikayla Lozon will be music director of Annie Jr. for Theatre Sarnia in January.........

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