Recognizing it was a significant outlay of money to the Stephenville Theatre Festival, Mayor Tom Rose said the $35,000 is well-deserved in the festival’s 40th anniversary season.
At its regular general meeting on Thursday, council approved a grant of $15,000 for a top-level sponsorship and a grant of $20,000 to help out the organization in its anniversary season.
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Rose recognized the Stephenville Theatre Festival as the longest running professional theatre festival in Newfoundland and Labrador and said you don’t come by that easy.
He said there are accrued benefits of attracting professional performers to this town and province and that it results in people from all over the world coming to see the festival.
“We’re proud to be a gold top-level sponsor,” he said of the $15,000 grant.
Coun. Mike Tobin called the festival a hallmark for the town, still running after all this time.
He said while the arts are very challenging, especially when the economy is not the best, the festival’s board of directors is to be praised for the professional actors they continue to bring in.
“I wish them a great year in this special anniversary season,” Tobin said.
