Stone Fence Theatre

At last night's Annual General Meeting of the Stone Fence Theatre, we premiered our new music video, I'm the Law! from the hit show Up at Fred's - Allons-y! It was shot last fall at the Balmoral Hotel in Barry's Bay by Terry Mask, produced and directed by Chantal Elie-Sernoskie, and performed by the show's cast members, with background music by Gaston Nolet. We hope you love it as much as we do. Here's the link. Check it out!... https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=hAuyGCqF00o Also at our annual meeting: - We re-elected our hard-working Board of Directors: Chris Hinsperger, President; Lorraine MacDonald, Treasurer; Arlene Goldie, Secretary; Irene Daly, Carmen Schulz, Mark Woermke, Johanna Zomers. We are very very thankful for their hard work and dedication! - We reported that thanks to the wonderful generosity of our sponsors and donors, we raised more than $12,000 this year, which enabled us to keep going, pay our administrative and operating expenses, and bank a little for next year. - We did some great brainstorming about what Stone Fence Theatre will do in 2021. It won't be business as usual, but we look forward to having a great deal of fun with all of you.

Hi Folks, forgot to post this way back in 2019 and I'm glad I waited because it has so much more sentimental value now seeing the hustle and bustle of Rankin community center at the Up at Fred's show. Don't know if we'll ever see it again like this, hope so. Enjoy!

We're still missing our wonderful audience, but in the meantime, many of us have been active in the community. Three Stone Fence Theatre folks have helped create a website for Renfrew County's 11 food banks. Evan Burgess of Bluenorth Studios designed it. Eganville artist Beverly Lewis created poster art. And SFT's producer, Ish Theilheimer, worked with the food bank volunteers on text and management. Please visit the site and share with friends. If you need help, you can find out where to get it. If you can donate to support your local food banks, please do! They're doing essential work in a difficult time. www.renfrewcountyfoodbanks.ca/

Stone Fence Theatre's president, Chris Hinsperger, welcomed Serena and Dexter Sernoskie to the Bonnechere Caves this week. Ish Theilheimer backed them up. It was great fun!

Wednesday night was to have been opening night for Tom Thomson & The Colours of Canada. We are sad that we can't perform this unique show with our wonderful cast - THIS YEAR - but one way or another, we'll do it next year, even if we have to perform outdoors. We thank everyone in our wonderful, supportive audience for all your support!

Despite the pandemic and being inactive this season, Stone Fence Theatre is maintaining its tradition of recognition and support for local high school graduates who have been active in the performing arts. The company, which has been "putting the Ottawa Valley onstage" since 2003, donates to four local high schools - Equinoxe, Fellowes, Madawaska Valley, Opeongo - which select bursary recipients. "Our company recognizes the incredible work students across the county have giv...en to the arts," said Chantal Elie-Sernoskie, Creative Director of Stone Fence Theatre and a cultural animator at Equinoxe in Pembroke. "From step-dancing, to piano, to musical theatre, Renfrew County is blessed to enjoy and nurture their passions. Stone Fence Theatre recognizes and is thankful that so many volunteer students have allowed vitality and energy to the company." This year's bursary recipients are Maddy Baird (Fellowes), Jordan Amo (Equinoxe), Luna Nordholt-McPhee (Opeongo), and Andrew Sernoskie (Madawaska Valley). Maddy plans to attend Queen's University for Visual Arts. She has been in competitive dancing with Atyeo's Dance Studio for many years and has taken visual arts and photography at Fellowes . Jordan, Luna and Andrew have all been active with Stone Fence Theatre productions. Luna has played roles with the company since 2012, as well as acting at Opengo High School and with Ottawa theatre companies. She plans to attend Randolph College in Toronto. Jordan, who has enjoyed playing onstage and being a comedian at Equinoxe, has worked as a technical assistant with Stone Fence Theatre and will be attending Algonquin College in Pembroke. Andrew has drummed in groups around the Valley and volunteered with Stone Fence Theatre . He will also be attending Algonquin College in Ottawa. "We hope to continue helping students engage in the company through volunteering in the kitchen staff, box office, assistance to the technical team and, of course, onstage," said Ms. Elie-Sernoskie. "We know it is not an easy time for these graduates or any students," she said. "We know, however, that we will need their energy and intelligence to sort things out, and we wish them the best."

This spring, Stone Fence Theatre has produced a music video showing our take on how the covid-19 pandemic has shown us who and what matters most in life. It started with a poem I wrote in early April, which turned into a song. Then, we had to learn how to rehearse, brainstorm and record in isolation from one another. It took a lot of time and effort, especially from Terry Mask, our wonderful Technical Director, but hope you will agree with us that the video packs a powerful message. https://youtu.be/69YZ2BIJnTk Please share with friends and family!