Cranbrook Community Theatre celebrated two milestone anniversaries this year on Sept. 10, with a gala at Studio Stage Door.
2024 marks 60 years since the group formed and 50 years since it took up residence at Studio Stage Door in downtown Cranbrook. The group has seen a lot of change over the years, but its dedication to delivering live entertainment has remained the same.
Board president Peter Schalk said interest in the group is still growing, thanks to the efforts of generations of passionate thespians who have devoted their time to building sets, crafting costumes and making magic on stage.
"There's lots of new people. The word is getting out there. We're getting kids from high school, people moving into the community wanting to partake in theatre," he said. "It's for the community, by the community. It's just great to see the collaboration that's taking place."
Cranbrook nearly lost Studio Stage Door to development in 1974. The owner of the Baker Hotel wanted to buy the property to convert it into a parking lot for a hotel, but theatre members Budd Abbott and Cornel Sawchuk stepped in to purchase it as a performance venue.
Prior to this, CCT gathered at various locations around town to perform including Mt. Baker Secondary School and at Sam Steele Days. Early shows included musicals like Oklahoma and Annie.
Schalk estimated CCT has spent $800,000 to $900,000 on renovations to Studio Stage Door in order to preserve its heritage character. The building, built in 1909, was originally used as a Masonic Temple.
"There aren't that many buildings this old, or in such good shape," he said.
Melodie Hull has been working on archiving all of CCT's performances. She said the group is fairly unique, as it's among the eight oldest ongoing theatre groups in the province.
CCT's first performance of the 2024-25 season is Pippin, which pays homage to the anniversary year, as it just so happens to be the first production shown after CCT moved into the upper theatre of Studio Stage Door in 1980.
David Stock worked on the first showing of Pippin, and he said it's a musical with lots of possibilities. It had a medieval theme when he was involved, but this time director Sanjay Fisk and crew are taking it in a completely different direction.
"It's the kind of show that you can do all kinds of different things with," he said.