Sept. 1st.2022-David Connolly: Drayton Theatre
Start @ 10:01am in the Trinity United Church
26 Members in attendance
President John Sneyd opened the meeting by discussing this summer’s travel experiences and how things have changed compared to prior to COVID-19.
President Sneyd passed on some correspondence received from Lloyd Taylor’s family thanking the Club for the donation and condolences sent regarding Lloyd’s recent passing.
Peter Turner was welcomed as the Club’s newest member.
President Sneyd thanked the House Committee for their incredible efforts in setting up the chairs and preparing coffee prior to the meeting.
Announcements
On September 29th, Trinity United Church is promoting a ribs and chicken dinner for drive-thru pick-ue catered by Jesse’s-on-the-Green at the Guelph Country Club. Information can be found on our Club website and orders can be placed on-line or phoned in.
Activities – Ken Marchant
- The Night at the Races is tomorrow at Elora Raceway @6:30 pm. At tour of one of the stables is scheduled and you need to be there at 6:00 to attend this. Bring cash to pay at the door for entry and your meal. The seventh race is our race (for recognition) in the name of RCMC.
- There’s a sign-up sheet now available for the Cabaret at the Arboretum in November.
- There will be a performance by “the Elderly Brothers” tomorrow at 1:00 at the Village by the Arboretum and Ken Marchant is one of the performers.
- There is a sign-up sheet to attend the Drayton Theatre production of Mamma Mia on November 12th at St. Jacob’s Theatre Play House and already 20 members including spouses have signed up.
President John Sneyd introduced today’s guest speaker, David Connolly.
Bio: David Connolly
David Connolly is the Associate Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment and the Director of Education of their brand-new Youth Academy for the Performing and Technical Arts. He is also an active Disability and Inclusion Advocate who is deeply committed to changing the statistic of being the only amputee to have performed on Broadway. He has collaborated with artists including Katy Perry, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elton John, Sarah Jessica Parker, kd lang, Patti LaBelle, Sarah Brightman and many others. As an educator, David has been an Adjunct Professor and Advisor to the Musical Theatre Performance Programs at Sheridan College, Randolph College, Fanshawe College, St Lawrence College, Vander Cook College and most recently, the Hopkins Centre for the Arts at Dartmouth College.
For Drayton Entertainment, he has helmed over thirty productions including Mamma Mia!, Hairspray, Kinky Boots, many Panto productions and Disney’s Newsies. For the screen, David has directed and choreographed several series for CBC Kids including their newest live action series, “Ukulele U.” He holds an Honours Bachelor Degree in Musical Theatre Performance from Sheridan College, is a recipient of The Ontario Premier's Award of Excellence, The Waterloo Region Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement, and an Ambassador for both The War Amps’ Child Amputee Program (CHAMP) and The Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Presentation:
Drayton Entertainment is a registered, not-for-profit charitable organization, and one of Canada's most successful professional theatre companies. From Broadway musicals, to laugh-a-minute comedies and riveting dramas, Drayton Entertainment presents the finest in live theatre for all ages on seven unique stages, at six venues, in five communities across Ontario: the Drayton Festival Theatre in Drayton, Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge in Cambridge, Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend, King's Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene, and St. Jacobs Country Playhouse and the Schoolhouse Theatre in St. Jacobs.
After an extended ‘intermission,’ our doors are open once again with memorable music, entertaining stories, laughter, applause, and maybe even a few tears as we celebrate the long-awaited return. Hear from Director of Education, David Connolly, about this exciting reunion with our patrons as well as our newest endeavor - The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy - a performing and technical arts training hub, rooted in belonging, aimed at creating generational change.
The presentation was followed by a question and answer period.
John Sneyd thanked David Connolly for his presentation and gave him a token of our appreciation.
Next meeting: Thursday, September 15th will be John Douglas Dickie: Brief History - Evolution of the Canadian Airline Industry.
Adjournment @11:05am
Recording Secretary: Kerry Gennings
26 Members in attendance
President John Sneyd opened the meeting by discussing this summer’s travel experiences and how things have changed compared to prior to COVID-19.
President Sneyd passed on some correspondence received from Lloyd Taylor’s family thanking the Club for the donation and condolences sent regarding Lloyd’s recent passing.
Peter Turner was welcomed as the Club’s newest member.
President Sneyd thanked the House Committee for their incredible efforts in setting up the chairs and preparing coffee prior to the meeting.
Announcements
On September 29th, Trinity United Church is promoting a ribs and chicken dinner for drive-thru pick-ue catered by Jesse’s-on-the-Green at the Guelph Country Club. Information can be found on our Club website and orders can be placed on-line or phoned in.
Activities – Ken Marchant
- The Night at the Races is tomorrow at Elora Raceway @6:30 pm. At tour of one of the stables is scheduled and you need to be there at 6:00 to attend this. Bring cash to pay at the door for entry and your meal. The seventh race is our race (for recognition) in the name of RCMC.
- There’s a sign-up sheet now available for the Cabaret at the Arboretum in November.
- There will be a performance by “the Elderly Brothers” tomorrow at 1:00 at the Village by the Arboretum and Ken Marchant is one of the performers.
- There is a sign-up sheet to attend the Drayton Theatre production of Mamma Mia on November 12th at St. Jacob’s Theatre Play House and already 20 members including spouses have signed up.
President John Sneyd introduced today’s guest speaker, David Connolly.
Bio: David Connolly
David Connolly is the Associate Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment and the Director of Education of their brand-new Youth Academy for the Performing and Technical Arts. He is also an active Disability and Inclusion Advocate who is deeply committed to changing the statistic of being the only amputee to have performed on Broadway. He has collaborated with artists including Katy Perry, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elton John, Sarah Jessica Parker, kd lang, Patti LaBelle, Sarah Brightman and many others. As an educator, David has been an Adjunct Professor and Advisor to the Musical Theatre Performance Programs at Sheridan College, Randolph College, Fanshawe College, St Lawrence College, Vander Cook College and most recently, the Hopkins Centre for the Arts at Dartmouth College.
For Drayton Entertainment, he has helmed over thirty productions including Mamma Mia!, Hairspray, Kinky Boots, many Panto productions and Disney’s Newsies. For the screen, David has directed and choreographed several series for CBC Kids including their newest live action series, “Ukulele U.” He holds an Honours Bachelor Degree in Musical Theatre Performance from Sheridan College, is a recipient of The Ontario Premier's Award of Excellence, The Waterloo Region Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement, and an Ambassador for both The War Amps’ Child Amputee Program (CHAMP) and The Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Presentation:
Drayton Entertainment is a registered, not-for-profit charitable organization, and one of Canada's most successful professional theatre companies. From Broadway musicals, to laugh-a-minute comedies and riveting dramas, Drayton Entertainment presents the finest in live theatre for all ages on seven unique stages, at six venues, in five communities across Ontario: the Drayton Festival Theatre in Drayton, Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge in Cambridge, Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend, King's Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene, and St. Jacobs Country Playhouse and the Schoolhouse Theatre in St. Jacobs.
After an extended ‘intermission,’ our doors are open once again with memorable music, entertaining stories, laughter, applause, and maybe even a few tears as we celebrate the long-awaited return. Hear from Director of Education, David Connolly, about this exciting reunion with our patrons as well as our newest endeavor - The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy - a performing and technical arts training hub, rooted in belonging, aimed at creating generational change.
The presentation was followed by a question and answer period.
John Sneyd thanked David Connolly for his presentation and gave him a token of our appreciation.
Next meeting: Thursday, September 15th will be John Douglas Dickie: Brief History - Evolution of the Canadian Airline Industry.
Adjournment @11:05am
Recording Secretary: Kerry Gennings