Thorneloe

President's Report

January 2008

It may be winter, but all the groups are working hard with their seasons and we are also looking forward to the Festival in Elliot Lake in March. Of course, there is a lot still to be decided, particularly as we are having our first pre-adjudication round in ages. I think that that is good indication of the health of the organization. We should be very proud that we are able to field so many entries, and that so many groups are willing to travel through what is proving to be quite the winter!

I would like to thank Michael Hennessy for agreeing to be our pre-adjudicator. Michael has long been a member of the QUONTA executive as the representative of Family Life Theatre in Sault Ste. Marie and is an award-winning director. I am certain that his insights during the pre-adjudication round, when each production is still in rehearsal, will be extremely helpful, whether or not the particular production makes it to Festival. I know, as the director of one of the productions, I am eagerly awaiting Michael’s input and I am sure that others are as well.
This is a special year for QUONTA in that we are hosting two festivals, one regional in Elliot Lake in March, and then the Theatre Ontario Festival in May in North Bay, ably organized by our “dear departed” (as in quietly slipped away into the depths of New Liskeard to take up new jobs) Rex Hiscock and Gabe Giroux. Although they had to give up most of their QUONTA responsibilities, they kindly offered to stay on as chairs of the organizing committee for the Theatre Ontario Festival.

We expect to announce the participating groups in the Elliot Lake festival by 15 February, weather permitting. Once we do, make sure you get all your reservations in to the Algo Inn. We are cutting it rather fine this year in terms of deadlines, I know, but we should be very pleased that our strength is the reason for this.

I look forward to seeing you all in Elliot Lake from 11-16 March. Now all we have to do is pray to the weather gods to be kind to us!!!

See you at the Algo!
Ian
Ian Maclennan, QUONTA President