Thank you to everyone gave us input for the updated statement.

It was agreed that we should compel granting bodies to review the statement when considering our applications.

If would like to do this, here is some wording you can add to grant applications and proposals, feel free to copy or make it your own. We think it’s an important statement for juries to consider.

RURAL CAUCUS STATEMENT: CONSIDERATION FOR THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF RURAL THEATRE

We would like to bring to your attention the Rural Caucus Statement, crafted by the PACT Rural Caucus, shedding light on the unique challenges confronted by companies like ours. This statement encapsulates the distinctive hurdles and idiosyncrasies associated with producing professional theatre in rural areas. While we acknowledge that some of these challenges are shared with non-rural theatres, it is crucial to emphasize how our remote locations accentuate and intensify these difficulties.

These challenges encompass a range of factors, including issues related to housing, elevated travel costs, limited access to professional services, technology, shared infrastructure, and talent. We have diminished municipal support, restricted corporate sponsorship, and the necessity for higher salaries and fees to attract crew and talent to our rural settings. We are disproportionally affected by climate change, the effects of which are generally felt more keenly outside of urban areas, and many of us have open-air spaces.

On behalf of all organizations grappling with these distinct rural challenges, we sincerely appreciate your attention and consideration in understanding how our situations are unique.

We invite you to review the Rural Caucus Statement, which provides further insight into these matters, accessible at countystage.ca/rural-caucus