Miranda Holmes has been involved with Gabriola Players since 2011. She has served on the board for a dozen years now in a number of roles – artistic director, communications director and currently as President. As she prepares to step down from the board after next month’s AGM, she reflects on her time with Gabriola Players and her hopes for our future.
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It all started in September 2011. I was reading the Sounder and came across an ad for auditions for The Pied Piper, that year’s panto. Six months earlier my partner Mike had died suddenly of a massive heart attack. My first reaction when I saw the ad was: ‘Oh, the panto. Mike and I used to love going to the panto. I don’t think I can face going on my own this year.’ I started to turn the page, then stopped, remembering how much I’d enjoyed being involved in school plays. Perhaps I should go to the auditions, maybe get a small role or some backstage job to get me out of the house and out of my head?
I went and was cast in the smallest role in the show (Rat 2 – my character didn’t even merit a name). And I had a blast.
I won’t say Gabriola Players saved me, but it certainly played a major role in bringing me back to life.
I had no idea when I went to that audition that three years later I would be in the director’s chair for Will Shakespeare The Panto or that earlier in 2014 I would make my directorial debut with a widely-praised production of Inherit the Wind.
Since that first successful audition, I have acted in and directed a lot of plays – some of which I also wrote. Every one of those productions has been a joy in its own way and much of that has been down to the company – the people on and off the stage who band together and put their all into creating the best piece of theatre we possibly can. It’s a family affair – the director who leads, the stage manager who herds, the props people who find exactly what you need, the costume and makeup people who ensure you look exactly the way you should.
I have been on the board of Gabriola Players for the past 12 years. During that time, I’ve met and worked with some utterly fantastic people – on the board, on the stage and off the stage. It has been a privilege.
For much of that time Gabriola Players went from strength to strength, producing sold out heartbreaking dramas and hilarious comedies. We even somehow thrived online – thanks to our wonderful, dedicated audiences – during Covid lockdown.
I am stepping down from the board in September to begin the next chapter (or act, if you prefer) of my life. As I do so, I wish I could say Gabriola Players is finishing its first 20 years stronger than ever. I really do wish I could, but I can’t.
We’re in great shape financially, but the bottom line only counts for so much. Many of our longstanding stalwarts (including myself) have reached a certain age and need a rest. Unfortunately, post-Covid it seems volunteers have become thin on the ground – not just with Gabriola Players, but with every volunteer-driven organisation on the island and far beyond.
I can’t sugarcoat this. Gabriola Players has reached a crisis point. If new people do not come forward, I can, for example, pretty much guarantee there will never be another panto and that would be a terrible shame.
Over the coming months – led by the board and anyone else who loves theatre and wants to help – Gabriola Players will be reaching out to the community in as many ways as we can think of in an effort to encourage islanders to consider theatre as a recreational activity.
There’s a reason they’re called “plays” and the people who produce them are a “company”. Being involved in mounting a piece of theatre is enormous fun and incredibly rewarding. And the camaraderie is amazing.
We understand the thought of memorising lines can be terrifying. That’s why the coming season will focus on one-act plays (minimal memorisation) and staged readings (no memorisation at all!). Crippled by stage fright? No need to miss out on the fun. There are plenty of backstage roles and people able and willing to mentor you.
I cannot tell you how much I hope Gabriola Players will continue to entertain and edify for another 20 years. Whether or not that happens is now up to you. If you love live theatre and want to see it thrive, it’s time to get involved. I look forward to seeing what you create.
Miranda Holmes