The theatrical fundraiser operated by Ted Price and Anne Laughlin was so successful, this past Christmas, that they are going to do it again. This time, medical causes will benefit.
Their production of Miracle On South Division Street held at ArtSpace during the lead-up to Christmas generated a little over $40,000 to be split between the local office of the Salvation Army and the all-local 27 Million Voices international aid agency. Both recipients had the funds earmarked for children's programs.
According to the retired director-producer tandem that founded Theatre North West, their one foray back into the theatre world caught the attention of other charities. They were approached, during the run of Miracle On South Division Street, to do the same for other local charities.
"The answer is yes," said Laughlin. "And we already have a cause in mind."
Price said the organizational process for Miracle started more than two years in advance. They made the commitment, but then a few months into those plans, Laughlin was diagnosed with blood cancer.
"She received the most wonderful treatment right here in Prince George and her condition is now solidly in remission. You can't imagine how grateful we are," Price said. "It was such a boring and lonely experience, so I'd be along to keep Anne company. We would go in every 28 days, for two days, and what was really jaw-dropping was how many people in there we recognized and recognized us. We became not only aware about how broadly this touches the community, but also how deeply it touched us personally. We decided we could do another play, and the cause we were so aware of on that personal level was supporting cancer treatment in the north."
They might have been moved to earmark the funds for any number of possible destinations within the array of options pertaining to the fight against cancer, and support of those who have been personally affected. They opted to direct the money as close to home as possible. The expected profits of the next play will be channeled through the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation.
The amount could be substantial. According to Price and Laughlin's post-production figures for Miracle, the gross earnings of the play were $84,844. Ticket sales brought in $59,875 over 22 performances, sponsors and donations brought in $16,400, the raffle brought in $7,024 while concession sales brought in $1,545.
The expenses for the play amounted to $44,601.
The remaining proceeds of $40,242 were well over what Price and Laughlin initially imagined could be raised.
The next challenge for Laughlin and Price is to mount a new play. They have to start again in many respects, and they are summer consultants to a theatre company in Prince Edward Island each year, now, too, so that plays a role in their scheduling.
Price estimated the next production to be "the March after next, so about 14 months from now" for the next charity play. He said a balance had to be found in the script search between a show with enough characters doing interesting things so that an audience is engaged, but not so many characters or effects that it takes money away from the final proceeds.
Their search for that script is underway already.
