The Regent Theatre

Local landmark embraces community in 102nd year

Alexandra Seay has occupied her new role for just five weeks, joining an organization in existence for over 100 years. The 450-seat Regent Theatre, fondly known as the Monarch of Main Street, has graced Picton’s downtown as a theatre since 1918, although the structure was originally built in the 1830s. It has seen its fair share of ups and downs during its illustrious history, including experiencing a number of leadership challenges over the past decade. The Regent’s new theatre manager fills a position that sat vacant for seven months, as she notes it’s been a rough year for the organization. Going forward, Seay plans to change that. She comes with a special energy, unique and relevant skills and an indescribable enthusiasm, not just for the theatre, but for a community she barely knows yet. She plans to change that too.

Seay considers herself a permanent Prince Edward County resident, having purchased a home here four years ago. While she still ventures back to Toronto when the need calls, the County is home now and she is here to stay. “Before getting this position, I was here part-time and I still maintained my business in Toronto, and this position came and I made the switch in the ratio, so I am here most of the time and only in the city some of the time.” What brought Seay to the County originally was the sense of community she felt here, and the recognition there were different communities. She talks about the ‘come from away’ community, the city expat community, the local community, the young families coming here to raise their kids, the creative types, and those running businesses from home. “To me, that was balance, that variety was balance and I was interested in living in a place where those elements were in balance.”

With a theatre background coupled with film and project management experience, Seay calls the job a perfect storm, bringing together her education, experience and skill set. “I’d done a number of things on the administrative side of a variety of arts organizations and educational institutions; this job is the perfect amalgam of all those different facets of my professional career.” She acknowledges the role is a significant one that comes with many challenges, but it is also one that will evolve as she grows into the role. She talks about programming, managing staff that includes the many volunteers, as well as maintaining an old building, and the challenges that come with a designated heritage building. “Now, maybe for the first time of my entire career, my day job and my passions and my training have connected.”

She sees this major undertaking as a long term process. “There will be a growth period for me as I get to know the community, and that is my first priority right now, getting to know the community , and the community is multi-faceted; it’s our members, it’s our volunteers, it’s our sponsors, it’s our funders, it’s our staff.” Seay expects her role as theatre manager to transition into one of general manager over time. “At the moment, my job is to keep the lights on, to answer phone calls, to book people, to make sure things are running smoothly, and that there are boots on the ground.”

Alexandra Seay, the Regent’s new theatre manager.

A year-round facility, the Regent runs and survives on volunteers, as well as the community’s great contribution to this iconic institution in downtown Picton. “This is a not-for-profit organization, but 95 per cent of the work that happens here is volunteer-based,” Seay adds. With 500 events per year on screen, satellite and stage, the Regent’s diversity of programming is one of its strengths. Programming includes satellite opera and theatre screenings, live music concerts, movie screenings and more. “The fact that we can sustain that is largely due to our volunteers running events and to our sponsorship committee, and our sponsorship committee is run by volunteers themselves, but they solicit sponsors from the community,” she says. “They have raised money for us in the last year specifically that has far exceeded anyone’s expectations, and we are so grateful.”

Seay emphasises that maintaining a key communications flow is vital, but notes it needs to be two-way. “We are not saying here we are come see us, we are saying what do you want to see and bringing it. That’s another thing I’m committed to bringing to the organization and the community because it needs to reflect the community.” She speaks fondly of the stories she hears from people coming to see a show, and how the experience of the place is very special and uplifting. “It speaks to the importance of the theatre over generations, and I am committed to keeping that and making sure that stays alive.”

While the Regent does receive some support from the municipality, it does not receive operating funding from any level of government. “We run because of our members, our sponsors, our volunteers, and our loyal audience base.” She sees her role as ensuring the theatre is able to continue to function as a community hub and a community builder, and an opportunity for people to come together. “The only way we are going to be able to do that is by going out into community and building community and inviting people into our space; we can’t just sit here and say come to us.”

The cost of maintaining a heritage space is enormous she says. “Maintenance of the building is a huge factor in our operating expenses, and that’s maintenance from every level, from running the utilities, to literally fixing the holes, to making sure we meet fire code. All of those things are essential for us to be able to continue to run this as a business.” Seay says her starting point will be to build upon the theatre’s strengths. “People are our biggest strength right now; our people, our building and our programming, but our programming is in relation to our people.”

The Regent Theatre is currently recruiting for board members, and is looking for people with expertise in the areas of community building, fundraising and legal. They are also looking for volunteers, as well as new members. The Regent Theatre can be reached at theregenttheatre.org