If all the world is indeed a stage, rest assured David Goyette has staked out his little piece of the world right here in Peterborough, much to the benefit of Showplace Performance Centre.
On Wednesday afternoon (March 21) at the downtown performance venue, it was announced the grand stage in The Erica Cherney Theatre has been named The David Goyette Stage.
That moniker, bestowed as a result “a healthy five figures” donation over 10 years from Goyette and his wife Victoria Pearce, is displayed just below the facing of one of the theatre’s side balconies.
The naming is the second Goyette has funded. The former executive assistant to Mayor Daryl Bennett gifted dollars last spring for the naming rights to the theatre’s green room, a backstage space that serves as a lounge and waiting area for performers.
That contribution allowed for upgrades to the space and its décor, including the addition of original paintings by local artist Peer Christensen and furnishings from Bennett’s.
“I’ve got the green room, I’ve got the stage … clearly I’m taking over,” jokes Goyette before talking on his motivation behind the donation.
“Victoria and I just celebrated our 10th anniversary here (in the Kawarthas). When we came here, Showplace was the first organization that said ‘You’re welcome here’ and allowed me to be a volunteer. Because they were so gracious in that regard, I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for what Showplace does and what it’s all about.”
In late November of last year, Goyette was on hand for the naming of The Erica Cherney Theatre. That, he says, left an indelible impression on him.
“She set an example for all of us,” he says. “It’s important to give back. There are times in your life when you can and times when you can’t. This is a good time for me and I can. I’m looking at her standard of philanthropy and saying, in my own gentle way, I’m trying to aspire to that.
“This is the best arts institution in the entire region. It’s important to our community. It has to survive. When we celebrate the arts, the arts allow us to celebrate each other.”
Goyette walks very comfortably in arts circles, not only as a songwriter and guitarist with three CDs to his credit, but also as an artist and a playwright. Along with being a past chair of the Showplace board, he is a former director of The Royal Conservatory of Music, and founded the Toronto Beatles Celebration and the Orillia Beatles Celebration.
For her part, Pearce, who has performed at Showplace as legendary singer Patsy Cline, says the naming “is very exciting.”
“I’m very proud of him. It’s something he has wanted to do for a long time. We love Showplace. Great people, great shows … we’d like to see that continue.”
When it is pointed out there’s room for her name on one of the other theatre balcony facings, Pearce laughs, saying “You never know, I just love it here.”
The Goyette naming was secured via Showplace’s multi-year Securing The Future fundraising initiative that, along with Goyette’s two namings and the Erica Cherney dedication, has also resulted in the naming of The Nexicom Studio, The Darling Insurance Box Office, and The Publican House Bars.
According to Showplace interim general manager Emily Martin, Goyette’s donation has enabled the purchase of a state-of-the-art theatrical lighting console that will greatly improve the range and quality of stage lighting. It replaces the original console that had been in place since Showplace opened in 1996.
Martin explains Goyette’s donation couldn’t have come at a better time, as the venue has been without a console since late January.
“The last show we did with it was (comedian) Jeremy Hotz,” she explains. “It actually died during the show. The audience didn’t know because luckily the lights stayed on, but that’s how badly we needed this.”
Martin notes naming opportunities remain for Showplace’s marquee and its lobby.
“This (the naming) is a different kind of excitement,” adds Martin.
“There’s nothing like walking into a full theatre. You feed from the audience’s energy but this kind of event, it’s your own energy. And to be able to give this kind of equipment to a team member who desperately needs it, that in itself is a huge plus for me.”
According to Showplace board chair Pat Hooper, recent financial challenges faced by Showplace have eased but, she notes, remaining viable is always a work in progress.
“We are planning to do a capital campaign this spring with the community,” Hooper says.
“We’re calling on some folks that have been integral in our getting started — Beth McMaster, Sylvia Sutherland, Ann Farquharson, Doug Armstrong and Michael Cherney. We’re doing a focus group to discuss what they think in terms of how we should move forward with a capital campaign, mostly to focus on replacing the seats.”
For more information on becoming a Showplace member or sponsor, or to make a donation, visit www.showplace.org.
