The Regent Theatre

Alexandra Seay: Theatre Manager, Picton, Ontario

Who is The Regent?

The Regent Theatre is a cinema and live performance venue located in the heart of Prince Edward County. Known as the entertainment heartbeat of the County, the Regent has been a landmark on Main Street Picton since its inception in 1918.

How has the pandemic affected you?

On March 16 we closed our doors ‘until further notice’ due to COVID-19 and expect to be closed through the summer. When we are permitted to open as part of Phase Three of the provincial rollout, it will be with limited capacity for the foreseeable future.

It is impossible to break even, much less make up the lost 80% of our revenue potential with 50 people in the house per show. This reality forced The Regent to re-examine who we are and what we bring to our community. COVID has accelerated a timeline that otherwise would have taken many months of strategic planning to arrive at a new hybrid programming model that will allow us to weather this pandemic and flourish in the post-COVID future. A hybrid programming model creates the capability for the Regent to livestream content from our stage (with or without an audience). This will provide access to affordable entertainment to the entire County and beyond. With the option of streaming content to satellite partner venues, like the Mustang Drive-In, there will also be opportunities to gather and engage with the performing arts presented by the Regent outside our walls.

In addition to providing us with an alternate revenue stream, a hybrid programming model allows us to give back to our community by spotlighting local artists and providing equipment resources and expertise to community members interested in streaming or creating video content.

As the first step in a broader fundraising campaign, on June 9 we requested funding from the City Council to begin the process of changing our entire business model. We see Council’s recent decision to grant us funds as an investment in the future of the arts in PEC. Without the support of Council for our programming pivot the consequences to the Regent would have been dire. We are grateful for their support and for the outpouring of goodwill from our community.

theregenttheatre.org

Peter Blendell: Publicist, Milford, Ontario

How has the pandemic affected you?

Cinefest normally screens movies at the Regent Theatre. Because of COVID-19 we have begun to make our programming available online.

What has brought you joy during this time?

Some joy comes from people’s willingness to make sacrifices for the health and safety of their community.

How has this experience affected your perception of the importance of art and artists?

This experience hasn’t changed our perception, but rather strengthened it— that artists provide stimulus and connection.