The repertoire of the Imperial Theater of Sarnia includes broadcasting. Broadcasting equipment, which was added to the Sarnia Imperial Theater last year, opens up new opportunities for entertainment in the city center.
Broadcasting equipment, which was added to the Sarnia Imperial Theater last year, opens up new opportunities for entertainment in the city center.
The theater, run by the nonprofit Sarnia Theater, was able to use $ 36,700 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation's Permanent Communities Fund, as well as additional funds from the theater's 50-50 lottery to install a full broadcast package. .
The process began last spring, when the theater was still struggling with a pandemic interrupting live performances and equipment was in place in late fall, said Brian Austin Jr., the theater's executive director.
The Trillium Foundation has provided assistance to organizations affected by COVID-19, and the Sarnia Theater was forced to suspend more than 50 shows in 2020 due to health restrictions.
He was also forced to suspend volunteer activities, but offered an alternative to the theater when there were restrictions on enabling recording shows and streaming performances online.
Although these restrictions will soon be lifted and the theater will return live performances, it is expected that the new equipment will still be available.
"I'm really excited about the opportunities," said Austin Jr.
"It has significantly expanded our audience."
During the pandemic, the theater shot a Christmas musical and presented it to the audience online.
"We have and will be watching our content all the way to New Scotland, ”said Austin Jr.
According to him, the theater can now offer to record shows to go to professional activities, such as stand-up comedies.
"We can do in Sarnia what you see on Netflix or HBO," said Austin Jr.
The theater now has three "state-of-the-art cameras" with equipment for recording and recording shows. There is a control room on the balcony.
According to Austin, they have small cameras that can be connected to instruments such as keyboards or drum kits during concerts.
"The few things we've done so far make them feel so professional and it's great to be able to show talent," said Austin Jr.
After the equipment was ordered, the project had "any delays" due to delivery and delivery issues, but everything finally came and went, he said.
Along with the Christmas film, the theater produced and recorded two Broadway reviews and a local band concert.
Offering audiences another way to reach out, the new equipment will allow the theater to expand training and hands-on experiences for its members and volunteers.
"We had a lot of cooperative students, and members of the Sarnia Theater went through our program and then got a post-secondary education for live theater," said Austin Jr.