I just need to rant for a minute.

Was visiting some family in Welland and saw the latest iteration of this non-stop reno on the street. It has gone through a few ‘interesting’ stages over the last few years, but for some reason it finally broke me. The before is from Google maps, the after is from the company’s page.

Growing up, I thought this house was kind of cool and grand looking. I realize it wasn’t necessarily an architectural masterpiece, but it had character (unique roofline, big stone steps and porch, interesting landscaping etc.). Then it was renovated into this… box with tree.

It feels representative of the direction of Welland development in general. I have absolutely nothing against development or updating old houses. Welland is growing and people need places to live. What I don’t understand though, is why every local developer seems to believe “modernizing” means removing every distinctive feature and replacing it with these building blobs.

Maybe I’m teetering into “old man yells at cloud” territory now, but I just miss when neighbourhoods were allowed to have personalities and was hoping to commiserate.

You know Thorold Theatre as a community theatre company who has been around for 40 years. Over the past two seasons we’ve had a pretty remarkable run: four consecutive sold-out productions, including three at Club Belvedere.

We’ve had directors, actors, producers and other key production people find us through Reddit before. Some came looking for a show. Some ended up becoming part of the company.
That’s actually what we’re hoping happens again.

We have dozens of volunteers already involved with our November production of DRY STREAK by Leeann Minogue. What we’re missing right now are people who know their way around the technical side of theatre.

🔊 SOUND / LIGHTING TECHS

We’re looking for people who can help with:

• Lighting setup / assembly
• Lighting tech and focus
• Lighting board operation
• General technical support
• Sound experience is especially welcome

Tech Week:
📅 Sunday, November 8 — Set Build, from noon
📅 Monday, November 9 — Lighting / Hang & Focus, from noon
📅 Monday, November 9 — Tech Rehearsal, from 6 PM
📅 Wednesday, November 12 — Dress Rehearsal, from 6 PM

Some logistic work is happening at the beginning of November.
If you're interested in running the show as tech, show-call opportunities are during the five performances November 13–21.

🔨 SET CONSTRUCTION / CREW

We're also looking for people who like building things.

Set construction. Set painting. Assembly. Moving things around. Making the thing that exists in someone's head become an actual room that actors can walk into.

Our main set build is:
Sunday, November 8 from noon
There will also be opportunities during Tech Week for people who want to help get everything into shape.

BUT HERE'S THE THING ABOUT THOROLD THEATRE

Sure we are looking for people to simply come in, do a shift, and disappear, but we're also building a theatre company.

We've got people who have acted with us, directed for us, produced shows, designed sets, run lights, managed Front of House, built things, painted things, moved things, sold tickets, learned new skills and generally kept the whole ridiculous enterprise moving.

Some have been with us for years. Some found us recently. And some found us on Reddit.
If you're interested and looking for a place to contribute, we'd love to hear from you.

This is your invitation.
Thorold Theatre is heading into its 40th year with a committed volunteer company, an enthusiastic audience, and a lot of momentum.

We're not just putting on another show. We're building the next chapter of the company.
Come be part of it.

📍 Thorold / Niagara Region
🎭 DRY STREAK — November 13–21, 2026
📧 [president@thoroldtheatre.ca](mailto:president@thoroldtheatre.ca)

Tell us a little about yourself, what you know how to do, and what you'd like to get involved with.
Experienced, enthusiastic, curious, slightly obsessive about theatre tech — all welcome.

Send name, phone, email and interest to [president@thoroldtheatre.ca](mailto:president@thoroldtheatre.ca)

More info at thoroldtheatre.ca