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City Stage administrative records
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0.18 m of textual records
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Administrative history
City Stage Theatre Centre was a professional theatre company based in Vancouver that operated from 1972-1986. City Stage produced and hosted noon-hour, evening, late-night, and travelling theatre.
City Stage’s mandate was to produce professional theatre with affordable ticket prices for the downtown business and local resident community, and to provide career opportunities to local and emerging talent. The company produced contemporary theatre that tried to reach the general public and encourage public awareness of contemporary life. City Stage produced approximately one show per month. Notable productions include "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" by David Mamet and "Piaf, Her Songs, Her Loves" starring Joelle Rabu, who made her acting and singing debut in her role as Edith Piaf.
In March 1972, with assistance from the City of Vancouver Local Initiatives Program, City Stage first opened an 80-seat theatre in a converted donut shop at 591 Howe Street. Initially named City Stage: Lunch Hour Theatre, the company offered one-act lunch-time shows. In 1973, City Stage began receiving operational assistance grants from the Canada Council, the B.C. Cultural Fund, and the City of Vancouver. The company also received project grants from private foundations. In 1976, City Stage received federal and provincial grants to participate in the Arts and Culture Program at the Montreal Olympics and funding to tour in British Columbia.
On August 30, 1972, City Stage was incorporated as a non-profit organization under the Society Act of British Columbia (certificate number 9869) and registered as a Canadian Charitable Organization by, what was then, the Department of National Revenue (registration number 0401240-22-27).
City Stage was situated at the Howe Street location until November 29, 1975 when they had to vacate due to re-development of the site. In early 1976, City Stage negotiated a lease with Adams Properties Ltd. at 751 Thurlow Street and constructed a 150-seat theatre. Capital funds for the installation of a new theatre were granted by the Department of the Secretary of State (now under the Department of Canadian Heritage), the City of Vancouver, the Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation, as well as private and corporate contributions. On June 3, 1976, City Stage re-opened with a production of the play Herringbone. At the new location, City Stage began producing full length plays and presenting evening shows.
In 1980, City Stage introduced Theatresports to Vancouver. The Vancouver Theatresports League, an improvisational theatre company, held competitive improvisational theatre at City Stage on Friday nights.
Due to a rent increase, City Stage did not renew their lease with the property owners after October 31, 1986. Theatresports, now an entirely separate production company, too over the lease at 751 Thurlow Street and continued to operate at that side.
By December 31, 1986, City Stage vacated its offices at #201-842 Thurlow St. and placed its records in storage, in the custody of co-founder and managing director Ray Michal. By early 1987 the affairs of the company were entirely wound up.
Custodial history
After the wind-up of City Stage Theatre Centre at the beginning of 1987, these records were in the custody of Ray Michal until his death and were made part of his personal papers. From 1991 until donation to the City of Vancouver Archives they were in the custody of the Michal family.
Scope and content
Series documents the administrative activities of City Stage Theatre including incorporation as a non-profit organization and registration as a charitable organization, property lease and maintenance, employment of theatre and production staff, completion of surveys, advertising, and sale of audio recordings.
The series documents City Stage's relationships with the following agencies, corporations, and organizations: Adams Properties Ltd., GSC Management, Canadian Actors' Equity Association, Goldrush Recording Company, Council for Business and the Arts in Canada, Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance, and Vancouver Theatresports League, among others.
The records include correspondence, financial statements and other records supporting company registration filings, lease agreements, employment agreements, surveys, press clippings, floor plans, and permits.
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Access to some files in this series is restricted. See individual file descriptions for details.