When Showplace Performance Centre opened in downtown Peterborough on October 5, 1996, the first song performed was “This Is The Moment” from the musical Jekyll & Hyde.
On Tuesday afternoon (June 11) at the performing arts venue, Beth McMaster — the founding chair of the non-profit organization’s board of directors — had her moment, feted by friends and local arts leaders as a plaque denoting her many, and continuing, contributions was unveiled.
Prominently displayed in Showplace’s ‘Sunshine’ Sean Eyre Lobby, the plaque reads “Showplace Performance Centre gratefully acknowledges the outstanding contribution of Founding Chair Beth McMaster. Her inspiration and ongoing commitment to this theatre have made a lasting impact on the arts in Peterborough.”
McMaster was overwhelmed by the tribute, fighting to hold back tears as the plaque was unveiled to rousing applause. Prior, she accepted a certificate from the City of Peterborough from mayor Jeff Leal, who said, “The citizens of Peterborough owe Beth a tremendous debt of gratitude.”
Showplace executive director Scott Lale also addressed he gathering, expressing gratitude to McMaster on behalf of the current board and staff.
Following the plaque unveiling, McMaster reflected on the effort to establish a performing arts centre in Peterborough.
“It was very hard to envision (what Showplace would become),” said McMaster who, in 1992, met with Erica Cherney, Elizabeth Farquharson, and Barb Scott “and decided we had to make something happen.”
A month after that lunch meeting, a board of directors was established. Among its members were former Peterborough mayor Sylvia Sutherland, Doug Armstrong, and Pat Lett — each of whom attended Tuesday’s event.
“We looked at a lot of places in Peterborough,” recalled McMaster of the search for a location for the performance venue. “This was the Odeon theatre, which we decided on. We had people who said ‘It’s not going to be big enough.’ Other people said ‘It’s too big.’ We tried to come up with a mid-sized theatre and that’s what we ended up with.”
Purchased in 1995, the space at 290 George Street North was designed by the Peterborough architectural firm of Lett/Smith to accommodate 650 seats. Aggressive fundraising resulted in the mortgage being paid off by 2000.
Admitting to being “very emotional” during Tuesday’s unveiling ceremony, McMaster said what made it particularly special were the people that shared the tribute with her.
“I was allowed to look at the guest list because they asked who I would like to have here. I (have) here the people who influenced my life and have been great supporters of me over the years. They come to all my shows. They are always there. I can depend upon them.”
Guest list or not, it was pretty clear most all on hand were going to attend regardless.
“Such visionaries,” said Pat Hooper of McMaster et al of their efforts to make Showplace a reality.
Hooper was most recently co-champion, with McMaster, of Showplace’s “Take A Seat for Act II” campaign. That efforts raised funds to replace the venue’s aging seats and for other upgrades.
“We’ve had a long relationship … it’s always fun to be with her and feed off her energy and talent,” said Hooper of McMaster. “She’s patient but she has high expectations, and expects people to meet those. That’s fair enough. And she doesn’t suffer fools but she’s got a great sense of humour, which is so important.”
Meanwhile, Paul Wilson — a Peterborough city councillor at the time that Showplace was discussed, developed, and opened — said he “can’t imagine Peterborough without Showplace, and I can’t imagine Showplace without Beth.”
“She’s very modest,” Wilson added. “She doesn’t extol her abilities and accomplishments. What they’ve done with the plaque in the lobby is marvellous — long overdue.”
Over the years, McMaster has created many fundraising productions for Showplace, including the very popular “Spring Tonic” shows and, more recently, “The Legendary Icon Series” that will continue this October with a tribute to Dolly Parton and Tom Jones.
While Showplace’s founding and reputation as a premier performing arts venue has McMaster’s fingerprints all over it, her resumé is also highlighted by a number of high-profile volunteer roles, including past chair of the annual United of Peterborough and District Campaign and board positions with a number of non-profits, the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough among them.
McMaster is also a founding member of the Peterborough Theatre Guild, and has premiered many of her plays on its Guild Hall stage.
McMaster’s community service has seen a number of honours bestowed upon her, including Peterborough Citizen of the Year (1994), Rotary International’s Paul Harris Fellowship (1996), a Peterborough Pathway of Fame induction (2000), the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2003), Trent University’s Distinguished Alumni Award (2012), and in 2018, the City of Peterborough Arts Champion.
Following the formal portion of the plaque unveiling, the celebration moved to Showplace’s downstairs lounge where entertainment was provided by singers Meg Murphy, Lisa Devan, Wayne Robinson, and Bob Trennum, with Rob Phillips accompanying the quartet on piano.
Among the selections performed was a song written especially for McMaster — a clear crowd favourite.
