Over the course of several decades, those who have assumed the role of general manager of FLATO Academy Theatre have shared a common but unstated objective: get and remain on Mary’s good side.
And so it is for Victoria Shepherd who, just more than one year on the job at the historic performing arts venue in Lindsay, has made her acquaintance with the ghost that calls the 134-year-old building home.
When the 900-seat theatre opened its doors in 1893, it was billed as the most technically perfect theatre in Canada. However, it was heated by three furnaces that needed to be fed coal constantly, a task completed by a couple who lived in an apartment on the third floor. Local legend has it that, one day, the female half of the couple lost her footing on the stairs while heading down to the furnaces and died as a result.
Since then, it is said that her spirit — affectionately named Mary — has made her presence known by moving objects, lowering the lights, opening and closing doors, and habitually occupying her favourite seat in the front row.
“Over the first few months, I would go into the theatre when nobody else was there and, because the acoustics are so great, I would hang out in front of the stage and sing a little song,” says Shepherd.
“One night, I was getting ready to do my solo concert and I heard some banging. I didn’t have the courage to go in. I feel like I was judged a little harshly. I feel she exercised some quality control about my singing. I was a little hurt, but I get it.”
Describing the ghost as “mischievous but never malevolent,” Shepherd says whether or not Mary approves of her hiring “is a good question but gosh, I hope so.”
What matters more is the Academy Theatre’s board did, and so here she is.
“I was looking for a new role,” recalls Shepherd, adding “I had been doing some chief of staff stuff, not particularly enjoying it but really enjoying the money. I had this fabulous recruiter who said to me ‘Is this really filling your cup? Your resume is arts leadership. Go do something you want that you’re going to love.'”
“I saw this job posting and I thought ‘Wow.’ It almost seemed like a gift from the gods. I did some googling of the theatre and fell a little bit in love with her age, and her ghost, and very fortuitously got the opportunity to interview for the job.”
At that point, Shepherd says, she “did the thing you’re never supposed to do — I fangirled over a board member.”
That board member is Erica Ehm, the writer, actor, songwriter, entrepreneur, and TV host who is best known as a pioneering video jockey at MuchMusic during the 1980s and early ’90s. After Ehm purchased a property outside of Lindsay, she was invited to become a member of the non-profit theatre’s board of directors.
“Erica Ehm reached out to me and asked me for some information,” Shepherd recalls. “I emailed her ‘I know this is maybe unorthodox, but I have to tell you that you were a huge part of my young womanhood. I’d come home from high school every day, go down to the basement and watch my MuchMusic.'”
While Shepherd wonders if that was a prudent move, what isn’t in doubt is the Academy’s board chose wisely in naming her the theatre’s general manager.
From 2010 to 2016, Shepherd was executive director of CONNECT Music Licensing Services Inc., which administers licences in Canada for the reproduction of sound recordings, and the reproduction and broadcast of music videos on behalf of their copyright owners.
After a one-year-stint as a strategic consultant for the same company, 2017 saw Shepherd take on the role of director of operations for the Canadian Live Music Association, which advances and promotes the economic, social and cultural benefits of Canada’s live music industry.
Come 2022, Shepherd was executive director of Visual Arts Mississauga, a not-for-profit that is one of that municipality’s pillar arts and culture organizations focused on community engagement in the arts education and exhibition realms.
“As soon as I dove into the website and saw its history and who had graced its stage, I thought ‘There’s so much opportunity to do amazing things here,'” says Shepherd of her initial draw to the Academy Theatre.
“I’ve always had a little bit of a love affair with the Kawartha Lakes. Many years ago, we used to cottage here and, and at one point, it was a dream of ours to live here. My husband and I had been thinking about what life looks like for us. He’s a country boy and he had done his time in Toronto, and then this job came up. It checked some very important boxes.”
After a few months commuting, learning “to hate the 401” in the process, Shepherd and her husband moved to Lindsay in January.
Long before then, in the downstairs office she shares with assistant manager Vangi Patton and administrator Alan Couttreau, Shepherd contemplated the job at hand.
“When you come in as the new kid, you don’t want to create upheaval right away,” she says.
“I was really lucky. Allan is a fantastic resource of institutional knowledge. He sort of held my hand and let me know the state of the nation. The board is absolutely brilliant. We have 12 committees that keep this place running.”
“I spent my first six months learning the lay of the land. As time went on, one of the things I realized I really want to focus on is community involvement with the theatre. She’s such a gem.”
Crediting board member Andrew Archibald and the programming committee he heads up, Shepherd says the theatre is seeing increased use by local groups. She cites a Remembrance Day-themed play presented in partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion as one example, but there are many more.
“We’re really want the community to feel like this place has always been here overlooking Kent Street,” she says, the goal being “to welcome more people through its doors so it becomes a no-brainer — ‘It’s Friday night. What am I doing? I’m going to the Academy to see a show.'”
Another aim, says Shepherd, is convincing seasonal residents and visitors that “this is a must-attend while they’re here vacationing.”
Anchoring Shepherd’s confidence over attracting new audiences on a scale never seen before is her conviction that “there’s something really magical about this place” — and that’s not just a good-natured spirit named Mary.
Not unlike every performance venue manager, Shepherd’s challenge lies in striking the right balance between bringing in big-name acts that virtually guarantee a full house and making the venue more accessible to local events as per her stated desire. After all, the theatre, which is owned by a foundation, has to be viable when all is said and done.
Based on her track record in past roles meeting challenges head on and overcoming them, the safe money is on Shepherd doing likewise at the Academy.
In the meantime, one year on and one week on, she’s more convinced than ever that this is where she belongs; where she’s meant to be at this point of her life.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind,” she reflects. “I worked at my first industry job for 19 years … loved it. I eventually chose to leave it and I honestly thought I would never find another job that I loved, but here I am. I still get a thrill every time I walk into the theatre.”
“One of the things I’m really excited about is we have a brilliant board member who is an actor and leads the theatre committee,” Shepherd says. “In the fall, we’re bringing our own theatre company back with a production of Clue.”
“And we have an amazing woman in our community, Beth Wilson, who does a fall musical for us every year. She is just a shining star. She did A Christmas Story for us last November. She had 45 cast members and she sold almost 2,000 tickets.”
“For many years, there was summer theatre here. It’s always been a dream of this particular board member, and myself, to bring theatre back here. I do have my eye on directing here on our stage one day.”
An admirable ambition, for sure, but first things first, and that includes a crystal ball-like look into the future.
“Here’s where the Academy is going to be in 10 or 15 years. We will have a full season of at least three to four plays produced by the Academy Theatre Company. We will continue to welcome the community through our doors. Things like Music Monday and the open mic series will be beloved traditions.”
“We’re going to get to the point where people’s agents reach out to us asking for the opportunity to perform here,” Shepherd affirms. “And we’re going to expand our membership program offerings so people are here in the theatre, and they’re bringing business colleagues, friends, and family, and the theatre is full every night. Not sold out — I’m realistic — but at least 75 per cent.”
Ambitious? For sure. Achievable? Absolutely in Shepherd’s view, which is what really matters. That, and ensuring all who come to the Academy have a great experience thanks to the theatre’s volunteers and staff.
“We have this incredible army of volunteers and they make everything magic,” says Shepherd, adding “There’s a personal greeting. ‘Did you have a good time? Can I help you find your seat? How can I help you?'”
“Last week, we had the Snowed In Comedy Tour. I came in after and there were emails from audience members saying ‘We had so much fun. Please book them again.’ But my favourite emails are the ones complimenting the staff and volunteers. Those make me smile.”
For more information about the FLATO Academy Theatre and for details of upcoming shows, visit www.flatoacademytheatre.com.
