This season a quarter of a million people will take in a live performance of one of 19 productions at seven Drayton Entertainment venues across southern Ontario.
It’s a remarkable achievement considering the theatre company’s modest beginnings in 1991 in the village for which it was named.
“I remember bringing in a dozen lights that I had in my basement,” Alex Mustakas said with a chuckle, recalling the production of Vaudeville! that summer at the Drayton Festival Theatre (the company’s productions now include over 300 “instruments” above the stage).
Mustakas, the company’s Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer, remembers a few days prior to the July 1 premiere asking early theatre proponents if the group could really pull off an ambitious first season that included three professional productions over nine weeks.
“We didn’t question it until about two days before the first show,” Mustakas said with a smile.
All apprehensions were soon assuaged, as the historic first season was a resounding success, attracting more than 14,500 visitors to Drayton.
“We knew after the first season we had something special,” Mustakas said.
That has never been more apparent than this year, as the Drayton Festival Theatre presents its milestone 25th season.
About 400 seasonal part time employees, 50 of which are with the company year round (a far cry from about a dozen early proponents), will help ensure things run smoothly at seven locations:
– the original 385-seat Drayton theatre;
– the Huron Country Playhouse (650 seats) and Playhouse II (300 seats) in Grand Bend;
– King’s Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene (385 seats);
– the Schoolhouse Theatre (120 seats) and Country Playhouse (close to 400 seats) in St. Jacobs; and
– the newest facility, Dunfield Theatre Cambridge (500 seats).
“It’s an extraordinary story when you think about it,” said Mustakas, who noted it took him a long time to be able to reflect on the theatre’s resounding growth and success.
“It’s actually hard to believe 25 years have gone by. Some things still feel like yesterday.”
The same holds true for Neil Aitchison, a Harriston native who was involved from the beginning and still sits on the company’s board of directors.
“Who would have guessed … it would become what it is? It’s an amazing success story,” said Aitchison.
“Drayton is no longer just a community; it’s a brand now.”
For Mustakas, personal highlights over the past 25 years include shows such as Blood Brothers, Big River and You’ll Get Used to It: The War Show – but he hesitates to name just a few, as “there have been so many amazing productions.”
What makes Drayton Entertainment’s success even more remarkable is that it has retained its not-for-profit charitable status. The company receives no funding whatsoever from the Canadian Arts Council and uses other grants for capital upgrades only.
It remains relatively self-sustaining in part by rotating shows between venues, which benefits actors and can save money in costumes, props, lighting and sets.
And, after becoming one of the greatest theatrical success stories in the country, Drayton Entertainment is able to draw “the cream of the crop” when it comes to actors, musicians, directors and choreographers.
“It’s thoroughly professional,” said Aitchison, noting the company’s actors are the same ones appearing in productions in Toronto or at famous festivals in Stratford or Niagara-on-the-Lake.
“Actors love working with Alex because he was one …. he is very accommodating and he treats people very well.”
Despite the on-stage talent and the company’s many other accolades, Mustakas re-directs any praise for the theatre’s success to the people in the community and to Drayton Entertainment’s staff, volunteers and board of directors.
“I tend to get way too much credit. This thing is a success because of the grassroots,” he said.
“If it wasn’t for the community of Drayton all those years ago, we wouldn’t be here today. They continue to be our ambassadors … it’s just amazing.”
The first production of the historic 25th anniversary season at the Festival Theatre, Legends … of Rock and Roll, opened May 14 and was set to wrap up June 6.
The rest of the 2015 lineup a the Drayton venue is as follows.
The Norm Foster comedy Looking runs June 10 to 27. Answering a personal ad in the Newspaper brings a foursome of singletons together at a local pub for a life-altering rendezvous.
The heartwarming comedy Hilda’s Yard is on stage July 2 to 18. This Foster play follows empty-nesters who must bridge the generation gap when their grown children return home unexpectedly.
Then the Drayton theatre celebrates 25 years with the classic Broadway musical comedy The Music Man.
A con man’s swindle hits some wrong notes when he unexpectedly falls in love with the town librarian. By turns funny, warm, romantic and touching, The Music Man is “family entertainment at its best,” officials say. The production runs Aug. 5 to 29.
For more information on Drayton Entertainment, including the 2015 season, visit draytonentertainment.com.
