Stouffville has a unique historic building tucked into Civic Square behind Main Street’s clock tower. Built in 1903 as a concert hall, it is one of the oldest and most culturally significant buildings in Stouffville’s downtown core. In the early years, an upstairs concert hall (with a small area for a temporary library) entertained performers above Stouffer’s garage downstairs. From 1923 – 33 it was Sidney Schmidt’s silent movie house until remodelled as The Stanley Theatre, which in 1949 became the National Theatre Services. The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville bought the building, and it served as municipal offices for many years.
In the new millennium there was a move afoot to demolish the building to make way for a higher use. But with valuable support from the arts community, heritage experts and nostalgic residents, the town designated funds to revitalize the building, now their centrepiece, Lebovic Centre for Arts & Entertainment. Launched as a multifunctional cultural facility in May 2009, the venue is affectionately called Nineteen on the Park.
On June 3, I went to see the play Storm Warning by playwright Norm Foster and directed Kathryn DeLory. Read my review of this excellent production presented by Markham Little Theatre, posted on the Stouffville Sun Tribune website.
Community theatre groups are made up of volunteers with a passion to entertain. Hard work goes into set design, rehearsals, ticket sales and promotion. Please consider supporting community theatre in your area.
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