Globe Theatre kicks off fundraising campaign for upgraded facility

The Globe Theatre is hoping to return to its original home very soon at the Prince Edward Building.

On Wednesday, the theatre announced the start of its fundraising campaign to complete renovation work on the historic facility.

So far, all three levels of government have committed funding to the Globe Theatre’s revitalization project, which will cost more than $30 million to complete.

The theatre is looking to raise $12 million to help complete the project.

An anonymous donor helped get the ball rolling with a $500,000 donation that was announced Wednesday. That donor will match up to $500,000 of donations made to the campaign.

Officials with the theatre say their goal is to help grow the arts community as well as downtown Regina.

“Theatre and art is so important for a community,” said Trevor Boquist, chair of the theatre’s capital campaign. “I think we’re very lucky to have (the Globe).

“We’ve watched many artists today grow up now within the Globe, so a lot of the actors we see on stage grew up with the theatre stage at the Globe. It’s impacting people that live here, work here and all those kinds of things.

“We also talk a bit about downtown Regina. This is a pillar for downtown and it has us really excited about how do we reinvigorate downtown coming out of a pandemic when we know it has been tough getting people coming back to work. The city needs that and if we don’t have a vibrant downtown, we will really lose the lustre of Regina.”

Globe Theatre executive director Jaime Boldt says they really want to re-engage the community with the theatre.

“The idea with this renovation is to also make this space a really public space. We really want to start engaging folks who weren’t traditionally theatre-goers into our building,” Boldt said.

“We’re taking over the whole building. We’re opening it up for community to come, hang out, use our free Wi-Fi and start engaging a little more in the Globe.”

The theatre took possession of the building in 2013.

Boldt says the renovations will vastly improve the theatre experience for everyone.

“Some of the things we’re excited about with our new theatre is bigger seats, cup holders, more legroom (and) our new stage will be bigger,” Boldt said.

“Also, (there will be) a community space which is going to be our community theatre. It will be professionally outfitted and we’re really excited to invite local theatre groups in to access that space.”

There will also be a trap room added underneath the stage, which will be used to help with production of shows.

You can donate by visiting the Globe Theatre’s website.

Construction on the facility is hoped to be completed by 2023.