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NACTV launched its new program called Exploring Community Spaces where we will explore and delve into some of the community spaces in Neepawa and surrounding areas. Our first episode is a Tour around the Roxy Theatre in Neepawa hosted by NACTV Volunteer Don Walmsley. Kate Jackman- Atkinson, Chair of the Roxy Theatre and Dale De’Ath, Board member and projectionist gave us a tour around the theatre and explained some of the accessible features that they currently have.

Liway Cabrera – Local Journalism Initiative
 

History of the Roxy Theatre

Roxy Theatre is a community owned and volunteer run organization that provides affordable weekly movies, a venue for the performing arts and community events. Atkinson shared some historical information about the Roxy Theatre building. “This building itself was built in 1904. It replaced the original opera house which was destroyed by fire.  It was renovated to its current art deco style in 1940. We’ve seen some updates but the style has remain the same despite its update in 1940. Now that we are a municipal heritage site, that look is not gonna change a lot going forward.” said Atkinson.

A Community Owned And Operated Theatre

The Roxy Theatre Board is all volunteers who decides on different aspects of the operation and managing the theatre and running it. “The Board is all volunteers from the community. We have a Chair and then amongst our Board we have members who look after specific things like Dale who is in- charge of our projection side. We have a Treasurer, we have a Secretary. We have a volunteer Board member who is in-charge of coordinating all of those volunteers who work the movies which is a very important job to the continuation of our theatre. We have a volunteer who handles the concession.. making sure that everything is stocked and ordered and then we just have members at large who participate in the Board and decision making and we have a Facilities Chair as well.”, said Atkinson.

Sustainability of the Local Theatre

When asked if they are funded by regular government support, Atkinson responded “No! Day to day operation is certainly funded by our day to day operations. So it’s funded by ticket sales, concession sales, facility rentals, bringing in movies and opening the doors. For our upgrades and our projects, we have been able to secure grants to cover most of those from various levels of government, Beautiful Plains Community Foundation, Town of Neepawa which actually falls into the levels of government. But in terms of day to day operation, it is strictly run by ticket sales, facility rentals, concession sales.”

Accessibility Features of the Roxy Theatre

One of the most important feature of the Theatre is their accessibility features which includes the
wheelchair accessible area on both sides of the theatre. Through an accessibility grant, they were also able to purchase assistive devices for the deaf and hard of hearing. “We are really excited about these devices and opening up the theatre experience to more people for whom it may not be enjoyable because of hearing or visual impairment. So we are really excited about these devices to be able to make the theatre experience more inclusive.” said Atkinson.