Edmonton comedy theatre launches campaign to keep the laughs coming

The Grindstone Theatre in Edmonton says it's in danger of closing due to financial issues. CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson has details on its new fundraisin

An Edmonton comedy theatre that lowers barriers for independent artists is asking for the community’s support, even when they can’t physically show up.

Grindstone Theatre opened in 2011 as a non-profit aiming to give artists a more financially feasible space to perform.

Its sister company, Grindstone Comedy Theatre & Bistro, was born in 2018 on 81 Ave. NW.

The way the organization works, explained artistic and executive director Byron Martin, is that they’ll subsidize the space for an artist to put on their show.

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“For a long time, we’ve just been eating that subsidy, basically … we’re operating at a loss,” he said.

A loss, Martin said, that can only be salvaged with increased donations in the range of $4,000 a month.

Martin’s been running the company for 13 years and bought it originally with his brother. He said the cost of lowering barriers for artists to put on shows has increased with the times.

There’s also, he said, something to be said for a lack of interest or time for the arts.

“You take a big swing, and sometimes audiences don’t show up, and you take a loss,” he said.

“That’s one of the things that we’re facing in the arts and culture sector … there’s not a lot of revenue, and you rely on a combination of grants and revenue to make it all happen.”

But those grants can’t always account for an artist’s desire to take less than they need, Martin said.

Daniel Barker-Tremblay is one of those artists.

“It means the world to me … I can’t picture a world where it’s not existing,” he said.

He said he was “flabbergasted” when he heard how much money was needed to keep the company afloat.

But Martin said the goal is to not put increased ticket costs on patrons or force artists to pay more to hold shows.

For the next little bit, though, that means reduced programming while the company focuses on its operational budget.

The donation campaign is a monthly sponsored fundraiser that Martin said would “create the opportunity for people to support us, even when they can’t make it.”

Their monthly goal is $4,000. Their annual goal is $80,000.

For their first-ever campaign, which they’re running for 75 days, they’re shooting for $40,000.

In one day, they’ve raised almost $4,000.

On Aug. 2, a special fundraiser performance of The 11 O’Clock Number – “the show that built Grindstone” – will celebrate the history of the company.

Barker-Tremblay said that despite many artistic or non-profit spaces shutting down, he believes it’s not the end.

He said performing arts spaces “help the most” with mental health and community connection.

“As Edmontonians, we have the obligation to help come together shoulder to shoulder to help raise that money when it’s needed.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson