Speaker
Gateway Theatre Presentation – Summary
Susan Ness introduced our guest speaker, Barbara Tomasic, Executive Artistic Director of the Gateway Theatre. Susan spoke warmly about Barbara’s long career in Canadian theatre—as an administrator, director, actor, performer, and producer—calling herself “Barbara’s number one fan” and praising Barbara’s creativity, generosity, and artistry.
Barbara began by thanking the club for its hospitality and acknowledging the strong community spirit she has witnessed in Richmond, including from previous visits. She shared a light-hearted note about recent power outages affecting both her work and our meeting, remarking on the adaptability and resilience that theatre demands.
Barbara then provided an overview of Gateway Theatre’s history, mission, and current work:
Founded in 1984 by Richmond residents who believed the performing arts were essential to a healthy community.
Originally a community venue, Gateway later developed into Richmond’s only professional theatre company, employing trained artists—actors, musicians, designers, and technicians—who are paid for their work.
Gateway remains a hub for community engagement, hosting youth academies, dance recitals, cultural celebrations, rentals, and professional productions.
The theatre includes a 540-seat mainstage and a 100-seat studio, the latter now used for Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) to help introduce local students to live performance.
Barbara spoke about the wide-ranging impact of Gateway’s programs:
4–6 professional productions per season, including the annual holiday musical that blends community performers with professionals.
50+ community rental events each year, drawing more than 13,000 attendees.
Over 4,000 hours of youth education through the Gateway Academy, serving more than 200 students annually.
She highlighted this season’s productions:
Annie, the holiday musical (opening December 12).
A Bear, a Boy, and the Buffalo, the TYA production, already sold out for school audiences.
Wild Woman, a comedic, Canadian play about Catherine de’ Medici.
Barbara also described Gateway’s special events designed to welcome new audiences, such as Mid-Autumn Festival activities, Lunar New Year concerts, and “The Flame,” a storytelling event where community members share true personal stories.
She spoke briefly about the importance of arts funding, noting that the arts significantly contribute to the economy and community well-being, even though cultural philanthropy remains limited in Canada. Barbara expressed deep appreciation for the City of Richmond, which remains an outstanding supporter of the arts and Gateway’s sustaining partner.
She closed by inviting Rotarians to engage with Gateway through attending shows, joining the board, subscribing to newsletters, or supporting the organization in other ways.
SERGEANT At Arms Tidbits
Here is a flashback S @ A of a simpler time.
Mary Lou
Sounds like Oscar had such a big week that he might need a Rotary attendance credit.
Amanda
Eight years on Zoom? At this point, your screen should get its own Paul Harris pin.
Chris M.
Forty thousand pounds of soil moved… and pizza and beer was still the heaviest thing on the committee budget.
Brian
A thousand BBs? At this point, the BB gun should be applying for club membership.
Dalbir
A trip to the Okanagan with the grandson—proof that grandparents are braver than any triathlete.
Garth
Painted three stories high, stung by a wasp, and insulted by a waitress… honestly, the wasp was the polite one.
Debbie S.
A yearly barn raising with university friends? Most people can’t even schedule a group chat.
John
Back from the Okanagan and already going again—pretty soon they’ll start charging you property tax.
Sandra
Renovations so chaotic she can’t find anything… including the will to keep renovating.
Melinda
Thinking about a covered patio until you saw the price? Classic example of a plot twist that even The Mousetrap didn’t see coming.
Susan
People signing up for committees really is a miracle—we should alert the Guinness World Records team.
Michael
Your daughter argued her way out of three tickets? She needs to run Rotary’s next membership drive.
Peachey
With all the home-care coordination you’ve been doing, you basically deserve an honorary nursing degree.
Larry
Waving at the policeman waving you off the road? That’s next-level Canadian friendliness.
Sam
Skipping Black Friday to paddleboard 7 km? You’re the only person who chose physical pain over retail chaos.
Blair
A flat tire fixed by a small-town mechanic for $44 and a beer? That’s not a repair—that’s a Saskatchewan rite of passage.
Peter
Banned from soccer, reinstated by a judge, and now champions—talk about turning defense into offense.
Judy
Jax laughed the whole time—probably because Spencer hasn’t figured out who’s really in charge yet.
Debbie M.
Winning silver and not falling in the cesspool? That’s called an overachievement double-medal.
Kal
Room at your table next week? The rarest Rotary announcement of them all.
Bill
Weekly photos of your car in the mail—finally, a fan club! Too bad they’re all parking enforcement.
Debbie T.
Jumping during Jurassic Park and again at a bullwhip that looked like a snake… nature is clearly out to prank you.
