About the Council
The BAC oversees operation and management of the Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre which opened in 2007 as a first class performing arts facility. The Theatre is located within a modern complex that also houses Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School and the Bracebridge Sports and Recreation Complex.
Our Board of Directors is always looking for members who are energetic, motivated and have a keen interest in promoting Arts Education and in supporting our community theatre. We need members who have special skills or interests in fundraising, business management, community & public relations, legal and accounting skills.
If you're interested in finding our how you can be an important part of our community please contact us.
Our Board of Directors is always looking for members who are energetic, motivated and have a keen interest in promoting Arts Education and in supporting our community theatre. We need members who have special skills or interests in fundraising, business management, community & public relations, legal and accounting skills.
If you're interested in finding our how you can be an important part of our community please contact us.
In 1960 theatre events were staged upstairs in the Town Hall. The stage was large enough to hold about 20 dancers and there was seating for about 100 people. Many fine shows were performed there including a number of performances of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.
The first Rotary musical was South Pacific and was staged in the High School auditorium in 1978. This began a tradition of annual Rotary shows but there was always a struggle to achieve good sight lines and consistent sound and lighting. Despite these difficulties the musicals remained very popular and in 2017, the Rotary Club celebrated its 40th show by bringing a reprise of South Pacific to the Rene Caisse stage.
In 1988 a group of community minded people got together to form the Bracebridge Arts Council which originally was an umbrella group to promote the arts. With time, however, it was realized that what the town needed was a theatre of its own.
In 1990 a suggestion came from the Mayor of Bracebridge that perhaps the Old Woolen Mill would make a good theatre space. The BAC hired an architect and plans were drawn up for a 100 seat theatre. The town Council vetoed these plans as the space was inadequate and at that time there was no parking available.
In 2001 an opportunity arose to purchase and renovate the Norwood Cinema and operate it as a performance venue. Once again an architect was hired and fundraising began. Unfortunately, the untimely death of the owner made it necessary to drop these plans.
In the spring of 2004, the Trillium Lakelands District School Board announced that it would join forces with the Town of Bracebridge to build a new high school and recreation centre. The BAC approached the two partners and offered to fundraise and build a theatre on the same site. An agreement was signed and a fundraising campaign was launched.
In 2007 the Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre opened in conjunction with the new Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School. This beautiful 303 seat theatre is the result of many hours of planning, organization and campaigning by a group of dedicated volunteers with the generous assistance of our donors.
The first Rotary musical was South Pacific and was staged in the High School auditorium in 1978. This began a tradition of annual Rotary shows but there was always a struggle to achieve good sight lines and consistent sound and lighting. Despite these difficulties the musicals remained very popular and in 2017, the Rotary Club celebrated its 40th show by bringing a reprise of South Pacific to the Rene Caisse stage.
In 1988 a group of community minded people got together to form the Bracebridge Arts Council which originally was an umbrella group to promote the arts. With time, however, it was realized that what the town needed was a theatre of its own.
In 1990 a suggestion came from the Mayor of Bracebridge that perhaps the Old Woolen Mill would make a good theatre space. The BAC hired an architect and plans were drawn up for a 100 seat theatre. The town Council vetoed these plans as the space was inadequate and at that time there was no parking available.
In 2001 an opportunity arose to purchase and renovate the Norwood Cinema and operate it as a performance venue. Once again an architect was hired and fundraising began. Unfortunately, the untimely death of the owner made it necessary to drop these plans.
In the spring of 2004, the Trillium Lakelands District School Board announced that it would join forces with the Town of Bracebridge to build a new high school and recreation centre. The BAC approached the two partners and offered to fundraise and build a theatre on the same site. An agreement was signed and a fundraising campaign was launched.
In 2007 the Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre opened in conjunction with the new Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School. This beautiful 303 seat theatre is the result of many hours of planning, organization and campaigning by a group of dedicated volunteers with the generous assistance of our donors.