At Issue: The Georgian; Theatre Part 2

In this second part of the conversation, Sam speaks to Lianne Romans and Jocelyn Bertram.

Lianne is the chair of the Kempenfelt Community Players. We talked right after the initial news of the theatre came out -- and much has happened since then.

For her and her organization -- a longstanding part of Barrie’s theatre scene -- the Georgian represents the only viable solution for theatre arts in Barrie. 

She says her group was in shock after the announcement. 

While they haven’t been performing for the past year, she said the group now is forced to pivot again: they planned to be back in the georgian staging musicals this year.

Next Jocelyn Betram is an avid musical fan and performer and publishes the blog and podcast, both sides of the curtain.

For most of her life, the Georgian has been the place she’s gone to to see musical theatre -- and it’s played a part in her current career path in musical theatre too. 

The Kempenfelt Community Players and Betram only represent a small portion of those upset by the Georgian’s closure. 

It’s a sentiment which City Council recognized: currently a motion is on the floor at City Council to develop a taskforce to explore options for a permanent large performing arts space in Barrie. 

“The recent decision to close Georgian Theatre and not to proceed with renovating Fisher Auditorium has highlighted the urgent need for a large performing arts facility in Barrie,” reads the motion, authored by Mayor Jeff Lehman. 

If approved, the taskforce would complement the plan to apply for federal funding to bridge the gap; allowing the city to keep the Georgian lease active for at least a few months. 

It’s estimated the building needs around $1.3 Million in renovations.