Gateway Theatre Announces New Strategic Plan to 2028

Richmond's Gateway Theatre announced today (September 25) a three-phase, 15-year strategic plan which will add four major elements to its programming and offerings.

According to the news release issued, Gateway 2028 "will introduce inclusive, culturally diverse programs that connect the community. The plan will bridge the gap between our region's demographics and our audience composition, augment our reputation nationally and abroad, safeguard our company's sustainability, and respect the concerns of our existing stakeholders."

The theatre currently produces six shows annually: four shows in the 540-seat MainStage and two shows in 100-seat Studio B. This programming will continue to be the theatre's foundation. In Phase I the six play series will be renamed the Gateway Signature Series. This phase will also include the launch of Gateway to the Pacific Festival in August 2014. In the first year they will present three contemporary theatrical works from Hong Kong, performed in Cantonese with English surtitles. By 2016, the festival will become the Gateway Pacific Series: the first subscription series produced by a Canadian theatre company in a language other than English or French.

In Phase II, programming for younger audiences will be introduced. The Gateway Junior Series will feature three plays for audiences aged 4-18 and will integrate closely with the existing Gateway Academy for the Performing Arts.

Phase III will include the addition of the Gateway Greenhouse Series featuring performance pieces that will push the boundaries of theatrical form and content, as well as the introduction of the Gateway Pass, providing unlimited access to all four subscription series for one monthly fee. Pass holders will be able to watch a favorite play multiple times or see a different show from any series, any night of the week.

For more information, visit gatewaytheatre.com.