Greetings everyone. I hope that you all had a wonderful summer recharging your batteries by being away from school, taking a break from work, travelling, spending time at the cottage or experiencing the wonderful things at home with all that our great city of Ottawa has to offer.
Although we are just finishing our 6th show of our 2025 Season, did you know that we have actually completed our 2024-2025 fiscal year? I know it may seem a little confusing, but an August 31 year-end works very well for us for a number of reasons which I won’t get into now. All that being said, I would like to report that the 2024-2025 fiscal year has been a successful one both from a creative and a financial perspective.
Thank you to everyone involved, from our cast and crew to our volunteers, our patrons and our generous donors. All information and audited statements will be unveiled at our November Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Now as always, please permit me a moment to fill you in on what’s been going on at your theatre since I last wrote to you in May.
The Season to Date
I won’t drone on about the success of our first three plays (The Shawshank Redemption, Now and Then, And Then There Were None) as detailed in my last message, which you can read on our website. They were just fabulous!
The fourth show of the season, 37 Postcards, was truly a quirky comedy both hilarious and very touching. Riley Stewart once again solidified his reputation for developing a truly eye-popping set in collaboration with Gillean Denny, this time in the form of a house that is tilted and sinking. That visual coupled with the performances and the colourful costumes made this show an outstanding entry in our current season.
Could we compete with that one? Yes, we certainly did with our fifth entry Always a Bridesmaid, detailing the adventures of four lifelong friends fulfilling their vow of always being each others’ bridesmaids. The dialogue, written by the creators of The Golden Girls, and the whole production directed by Lisa Dunn had the audience howling with laughter. Who can forget the uproarious costumes at the last third wedding – when the bridesmaids are asked to choose their own dress for a French-themed wedding! Fun fact: did you also know that the gown worn by the bride was from her own wedding?
What better way to celebrate summer than with a fair and chili cookout. The sixth show of our season, Five Alarm, provides us with a hilarious story about a decades-long competition between two archrivals at, of all things, a chili cook-off. Greg Hancock has developed a knack of turning smalltown antics into nights of great entertainment for us city folk. And did you notice the walk-on cameos from some of our local politicians and influencers?
The 2026 Season
Ladies and gentlemen, very shortly our current subscribers will be receiving 2026 Season brochures and renewal information. On September 14, the new season’s information will be available for everyone to explore on our website.
Thanks to Jane Morris and her Season Planning Committee, we are sure that the nine chosen shows will entertain and delight you. I bet you can hardly wait for the details, but I’ll whet your appetite now by hinting that the line-up includes our annual Agatha Christie, some award-winning entries, a 20th century classic, and an exciting new adaptation of a 19th century classic, all wrapped up with a Norm Foster Christmas show.
The brochures and your membership cards are in the mail as we speak. We are looking forward to receiving your renewals.
Our 2025 season ends December 20, 2025, and our 2026 season begins Feb 25, 2026.
Promotion and Publicity
We have received tremendous success in promoting our shows and our theatre through social media.
If you have not already done so, please take the opportunity to read articles and updates about the OLT on:
We also would like to thank the Rideau Street BIA for displaying our show posters on their Rideau Street displays every month.
Theatre Improvements
Having already renovated practically all the bathrooms at the start of the year, there was not much left on our to-do list for this fiscal. We have painted the Besserer entrance to integrate it better into the rest of the theatre.
Our big modification has been the implementation of our brand-new ticket system. You may have noticed that the website to purchase your tickets is a little different. This new system was a tremendous undertaking and learning curve for all involved. It was necessary and we will be using it to its full extent to make the subscription and ticket purchase experience as pleasant as possible. A big shout-out to Ian Fraser and Bob Hicks who have been working on this project since January of this year.
Finally, I just want to quietly mention that the leak in the Janigan studio and backstage has been fixed. I say it quietly because I don’t want to jinx it.
During the new fiscal, which began a few days ago, we will undertake the process of replacing the front doors in the main lobby and at long last installing a security gate at the emergency exit on King Edward Street.
Donations and Recognition
We are so thankful for the donations in both time and money that our donors and volunteers have provided us over the years. We could not begin to put on a season without your help.
In the upcoming year we will look into ways that we can provide recognition to all who donated. We currently recognize all donors in our show programs and many of you have “adopted” a house seat through our ongoing campaign.
In addition, we will be having a special evening to celebrate our donors and volunteers. If you are one of those, you’ll have received your invitation and we hope you can all join us.
Survey Results
We have completed our survey. Thank you for your participation.
The results provided us with your views on what we are doing right and how tweaks and improvements can be made in other areas. We look forward to addressing in the upcoming months your suggestions and recommendations.
Paid Previews
As a way to help other organizations raise much needed funds for their causes, we open our theatre up to what we call Paid Previews. On the weekend prior to opening night, we offer a performance free of charge to a charitable organization where they can invite their guests to a preview of the upcoming show. This provides an opportunity for cast and crew to perform in front a live audience and the firm gets to raise funds. A win win for all.
If you have an organization that is interested in participating in this program, please have them contact me at president@ottawalittletheatre.com
Most of the shows are already spoken for through our regular charities but we always have openings each season. They do fill up rather quickly though.
Parking Outside
We just want to remind everyone that, as reported in the news, the City of Ottawa is implementing changes to on-street paid parking including extending hours starting in September 2025.
Paid parking hours will be extended to 7:30 pm in the ByWard Market including around the Theatre from Monday-Saturday.
Sunday parking around the theatre will still be free of charge.
It’s best to check the street parking signs before leaving your vehicle.
Upcoming Events
In addition to the continuation of our great 2025 season, stay tuned for information about upcoming additional events such as:
- Thank You Gala for Volunteers and Donors – Saturday, September 13
- Annual Halloween Party and performance of a winner of our National One-Act Playwriting Competition and EODL entry – Saturday, October 25
- Annual General Meeting – Saturday, November 29
Details can be found on our website. We hope that you all can join us.
Video: Designing Mr. Pim at Ottawa Little Theatre
Thank you for making it through yet another one of my long emails. That being said there is certainly a lot going on at your theatre.
We have perused our files and came across a fascinating video on YouTube of the creation of one of our sets, that of the Nov-Dec 2012 production of Mr. Pim Passes By.
The video shows how a set is actually developed and assembled. It was part of our 100th season celebration. What is extra special is seeing at work some of our beloved members who sadly are no longer with us and some younger versions of those who are still today active.
Please enjoy.
Well, that’s it for now. Enjoy Ottawa in the summer and autumn. I am very often around the theatre and always available by email if there is anything that you would like to discuss.
In the meantime, please enjoy the shows.
Best Regards,
Albert Lightstone
President
Ottawa Little Theatre