Studio Theatre proudly announces the Parry Award

Next time you enjoy a play or concert at the Studio Theatre in Perth, consider the role that David and Patricia Parry have played in making our town a destination for outstanding live theatre.

The Parrys are theatre veterans who’ve done it all, won it all, and seen it all in community theatre. It’s a world where there are no paycheques or contracts; actors, directors and stagehands are volunteers, committing hundreds of hours to each production simply for the love of their craft. This passion for creating quality theatre has driven the Parrys for more than four decades.

David and Patricia Parry were introduced to live theatre in the 1970s in Bristol, England, where David was taking a sabbatical leave. On their return to Canada, they joined Ottawa’s Tara Players, a troupe that honours the tradition of great Irish theatre. With Tara they did everything — acting, directing, stage managing, costume design, and even serving on the theatre’s Board of Directors. At the same time, Patricia lent her talents to a second fledgling theatre group, the Lakeside Players. During their time in Ottawa they were involved in more than fifty productions, on stage and behind the scenes, while also mentoring young performers.

In 2004 the Parrys moved here to Perth, bringing their 30 years of theatre experience first to Smiths Falls, and later to Perth’s Studio Theatre. In 2009, the Studio Theatre endured a radical transformation, and the Parrys were instrumental in its re-birth, directing (Patricia) and starring in (David) On Golden Pond, the first production of what was to become Studio Theatre Productions. Since then, they have been involved in every aspect of the Studio Theatre’s life, mainly as actors and directors. David has also lead the theatre’s play selection process as Artistic Director since 2010, and he is a recent recipient of Theatre Ontario’s Michael Spence Award for Contributions to Community Theatre. Meanwhile, Patricia has directed some of the Studio Theatre’s most memorable shows, including Over The River And Through the Woods, A Christmas Story, The Wonderful Story of Mother Goose, The Butler did It, and The Inheritance, as well as working behind the scenes as a gifted costume designer. Along the way, the Parrys’ skills have been recognized numerous times by the Eastern Ontario Drama League and other important community theatre organizations.

Today, as David and Patricia contemplate taking a well-deserved breather from the day-to-day rigours of the stage, the Studio Theatre is paying them tribute with a very special recognition. At the annual general meeting in July, the theatre’s President, Penny Silberhorn, and Promotions Head/Writer Paul Joyce unveiled The Parry Award, an annual award that will recognize the priceless role volunteers play in the life and work of the Studio Theatre. Recipients will be chosen from within the Studio Theatre family and may include those who have made extraordinary contributions of time, talent, or monetary support. Winners’ names will be etched on the award, and the plaque will be displayed in the lobby as a lasting symbol of the theatre’s appreciation for its volunteers. The inscription on the plaque reads “The Parry Award. Given in recognition of outstanding service to the Studio Theatre. In honour of David and Patricia Parry, mentors, leaders and friends”.

Appropriately, the plaque was created by wood craftsman and Studio Theatre volunteer Rolf Friis.

David and Patricia Parry, thankfully, are still very much a part of the Studio Theatre’s future. With the Parry Award, the roles they’ve played as volunteer actors, directors and mentors will be forever celebrated. In the meantime, for the Parrys, community theatre is a labour of love that continues.

Presenting the Parry Award. Left to right are the Studio Theatre’s promotional writer Paul Joyce, Patricia Parry, Studio Theatre President Penny Silberhorn, and David Parry. The Parry Award will be a permanent tribute to the work of David and Patricia Parry, and to the scores of other volunteers behind the success of Perth’s Studio Theatre.

Help us install the best seats in the house – Yours!

It’s a dream come true — the comfy “new” seats the Studio Theatre has just received from the National Arts Centre. Yes, the seats were free, but the installation? Let’s just say we can’t take those costs sitting down.

So we’re asking friends of the Studio Theatre to help us finish the job. For just $60 you or your business can “adopt” one of our new theatre seats, which will assist with the cost of transportation, removal of the old seats, installation of the new, and the purchase of construction materials. What will you get in return? Besides knowing you’ve helped the theatre fulfill a dream, we’ll etch a name of your choice on a handsome plaque in the theatre lobby. You might choose to recognize a family member, a friend, someone you’ve lost, or even the name of your business. The plaque will be seen by thousands of people each year, a permanent recognition of your contribution to Perth’s community theatre.

So don’t sit this one out. Help the Studio Theatre install our new seats with a one-time gift of $60. And when you adopt your seat we’ll also enter your name in a draw to win a seat free!

You can make your gift at the theatre Box Office at every performance by cash, cheque or credit card, or send cheque with the name and/or dedication you would like on the plaque to Studio Theatre, 63 Gore Street East, Unit 2, Perth ON, K7H 1H8.

Thanks for your support!

NAC renos mean “new” seats for STP

Studio Theatre Perth one of three community theatres to receive seats from the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall.

Little Theatre, Big Festival!

Studio Theatre to host the Eastern Ontario Drama League One-Act Play Festival this November

[columnize]Perth’s Studio Theatre is making news again! November 11 to 13, 2016, the Studio Theatre will proudly host the Eastern Ontario Drama League One-Act Play Festival, an annual competition at which community theatre groups from across Eastern Ontario perform their best one-act play — bite-size plays no less than 35 minutes and no more than 1 hour in length.
Awards will be given for acting, direction, costume design and more, as judged by a professional adjudicator. This year, nine of Ontario’s finest community theatres will showcase their one-act plays at the event, including the Studio Theatre.

Our theatre has been a stand-out in recent years, winning prestigious acting and directing awards, plus the ultimate recognition, the People’s Choice Award. The participating theatre groups and their plays will be announced in September, and tickets will be available for this exciting event. So mark your calendar, and watch this space for more details coming soon![/columnize]

Book now to get the EODL Festival Rate at this year’s Festival Hotel, the Best Western Perth Plus.