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As we are barely into 2023, I would like to take a few moments to reflect and share with all of you reading this some thoughts from this past calendar year.
This was a year as close to 'normal' as normal can be, after having been in limbo for the past two years. We were, once again, open for business. But we didn't really know how that would look anymore.
We were living in an age where 'being together' was still seen as taboo. Would people want to gather for events anymore? Thankfully, the desire seemed to be there.
The Sudbury Performance Group opened for business, and we were delighted that audiences did come out and gather. Audiences came together once again. They laughed. They smiled. They enjoyed themselves. They immersed themselves in culture. And that was beautiful.
Our audiences are one of the two reasons all of us at the helm of Sudbury Performance Group survive.
The second reason? I was blessed to work with such a fantastic group of volunteers — on the stage, and behind the scenes. We had a wonderful group of performers who graced the stage with The Rocky Horror Show, Who's in Bed With the Butler?, On a First Name Basis, RENT, Things My Mother Taught Me, and most recently, A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Currently, I am knee-deep in actors performing The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This charming show has been a passion project for me, and the fact that I get to work with performers on this show is a dream come true.
I am proud that we also employed more than 75 local musicians over the last year in our weekly offerings at the Trevi Bar & Grill, The Coulson Nightclub and Hilton Garden Inn Sudbury. These three local businesses are amazing supporters of Sudbury Performance Group.
I encourage you to visit them at least once during the first two months of 2023. Together, we team up to bring incredible local music to audiences. Support them. Support the musicians.
Finally, we welcomed back our dedicated team of other volunteers — those who run spot lights, build sets, create costumes, sell 50/50 tickets, work at the box office, serve on our board of directors, etc. We welcomed several new, enthusiastic people. And all the while, these volunteers shifted from volunteers to friends. How magical is that? I am so blessed for the team of volunteers who have helped out.
The year 2023 will be a big year. We have a lot in store.
We will continue to evolve.
We plan on supporting more and more local artists.
We plan on staging more offerings.
We plan on diversifying our programming.
Simply put, we plan on doing more … more together.
I invite you all out to a SPG event. See what we're all about.
Get a taste of what we offer our community.
Personally, I plan on being more accessible to each and every one of you reading this. Let's talk. Share your ideas. Let me know what you want to see, or what you think might be innovative and fun. It's over to you, Sudbury. You can contact me at any time, at [email protected].
Be a part of the team.
Be a part of the family.
Be a part of the art in 2023.
Mark Mannisto
President
Sudbury Performance Group