Series S175 - Civic Theatres Department general correspondence

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Civic Theatres Department general correspondence

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COV-S175

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  • 1.32 m of textual records
  • 2 photographs

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Administrative history

On October 16, 1956 City Council passed by-law no. 3601 to provide for the management of the proposed Vancouver Civic Auditorium by a commission. The first manager of the Auditorium was hired on December 3, 1957. On July 5, 1959 the auditorium, now called the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth. Since then, two other theatres have been added: the Queen Elizabeth Playhouse in 1962 and the Orpheum Theatre in 1977.

The Civic Theatres Department was established by City Council in May 1961, while the Vancouver Civic Auditorium Board assumed an advisory role only with the passing of by-law no. 3941 in October. For a temporary period only, 1983-1989, the Civic Theatres Department was a division of the Social Planning Department. The following functions have been carried out by the Civic Theatres Department.

(1) Booking management. Includes booking, accounts, and publicity.

(2) Building and equipment management. The first manager oversaw the construction process of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and prepared for the official opening. Building management has included stage management and event staffing.

(3) Civic cultural development. The mission statement speaks of building partnerships to support and be responsive to the development of regional cultural organizations and future audiences.

The Civic Theatres Department has reported to the Board of Administration (1961-1974), then to the City Manager. For the 1983-1989 period the Division Head reported to the Director of Social Planning.

The following individuals have served as Manager/Director: John Panrucker, 1957-1960; Charles Gregory (acting), 1960-1961; Ian H. Dobbin, 1961-1982; Jack Allman, 1983-1984; John Dyck, 1984-1990; Rae Ackerman, 1990- . The position title changed to Director in 1986.

Related Resources:
See also the City Permits and Licenses Department fonds (series 164 -- City owned buildings management files), Civic Theatres Board records within the City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds (series 43 and 537), Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation fonds records (series 65 -- Site subject files), and the Social Planning Department fonds (series 586 -- Published reports and other documents).

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Scope and content

Series consists of correspondence, minutes, financial statements and reports. Included are specific files for the construction of the Playhouse and restoration of The Orpheum. Minutes and Manager's reports have been separated out from 1955 to 1968. Minutes and reports for later years are held in Vancouver Civic Auditorium Board files. There is no discernible order among the files.

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For Civic Theatres Board records see series 43, part of the City Council and Office of the City Clerk fonds.

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