Not funny: Sault comedy guild scrambling to find new home

The Musical Comedy Guild’s 60th anniversary season is in jeopardy.

Just weeks after kicking off their highly anticipated season with a bang, the Sault's second-longest running theatre group is now requesting the public’s immediate assistance in finding a new space that will allow them to host rehearsals and store their large sets and props.

Operating out of the old St. Ignatius church on Cathcart Street since 2019, the MCG received a notice from the property owners several weeks ago that they would begin using the building for other purposes.

Requested to move out by the end of June, the guild has been on a desperate search to find a new home that will accommodate their rehearsal and storage needs.

MCG president Louise Stephens says she hasn’t been sleeping much these days as the clock continues to tick with no answer in sight.

“We don’t know where to go,” Stephens says. “We’re doing Fiddler on the Roof at the end of November, so we’ll be starting our big rehearsals in September.”

To run their rehearsals, the comedy guild requires around 3,000 square feet of open space which would provide enough area to mimic a theatre centre stage and wings, plus additional room for the cast and crew to work and not interfere with what is happening on the stage.

A bathroom and safe parking close by would also be preferable according to Stephens.

“We’ve looked at storage space, which is very difficult for the size we need since our pieces are big,” she says. “There aren’t any schools available for rehearsals right now. We also looked at St. Andrew’s, but they require security which we can’t afford.”

“To use the theatre centre is very expensive as well. You always have to have at least one technical director, whether we’re using them or not – we have to have them there.”

“There’s commercial real estate, but we can’t afford that either. We’ve had no income for basically three years.”

While those alternatives are too costly, the not-for-profit says they can still afford to pay several hundred dollars a month to a local organization that is willing to help them out.

But if the comedy guild is unable to secure a spot by September, Stephens say the logistics of running Fiddler on the Roof will be put into serious question.

“We’re struggling to get a place even for short-term use,” she says. “I don’t want the comedy guild to have to fold on my watch. My parents were both founding members – I can’t let them down like that.”

Louise Stephens can be reached by dialing 705-945-9698 or by emailing [email protected].

“We’d be thrilled if someone could help us out.”