Category: History

Today, we hear from Gabriela De Lucca, Marketing and Communications Director!

Hi! It’s hard to choose one thing that makes this place great, but I love that we celebrate Canada’s diversity. One of the first things I noticed about the Firehall was how culturally diverse and varied our productions have been, and I recently learned that the Firehall was the first theatre company in Canada to make cultural diversity a priority. We live in a country comprised of people from all over the world and from every background imaginable, and I’m so proud and happy to be part of a theatre company that embraces and celebrates that.   

To donate to our $30 for 30 Campaign on our website,click here! To donate via Canada Helps, visit them here.

Today we hear from Associate Producer/Operations, Caitlin McKee. She has an abnormal obsession with Hello Kitty. It’s scary.

My name is Caitlin and I am the Associate Producer/Operations for the Firehall Arts Centre.  My position here is actually split part time with the Firehall’s sister organization the Dancing on the Edge Festival, where I also function as the Associate Producer.  I’ve been working with the Firehall for just over two years, but actually first began here 10 years ago in my first arts job as a Box Office and Front of House representative.  After spending two years working here as well as completing a summer internship, I knew I loved what I was doing and everything that was happening within the Firehall and was encouraged to think about making it a career.  Long story short, it led me to my passion as an Arts Administrator and took me to the University of Toronto’s Arts Management program until I was approached 6 years later to return to the Firehall to my current position.

It is incredibly difficult to name my favourite thing about the Firehall.  From the “Firehall Family” that works so hard to make sure everything runs smoothly, to the history and stories that have developed and been retold over the years, to the fact that I get to come to work every day to a job I care deeply about, it’s hard to pick one thing that sticks out from the others.  But if I had to pick one of my top ten things it would be the Firehall’s Youth Training Program.  I’ve been involved with the Training Program from its beginning in 2010.  Since that time we have completed three successful programs and started our fourth earlier this month.  The training program has seen so many successes with all of its participants.  We have seen them go on to the Stage Craft program at Douglas College, continue on to Capilano University in the Acting program, return to school to complete their GEDs, transfer their newly attained skills to full time employment, and continue to work with the Firehall in all sorts of capacities.  Best of all, they continue to come back as volunteers, patrons and supporters of the Firehall, making them some of our strongest advocates.

None of this would be possible without the Firehall’s amazing team who take time out of their already busy days to mentor individuals and help train them in positions like Technical Production, Customer Services, and Marketing.  The training program itself receives a very small amount of funding, and was extremely fortunate this year to receive extra funding from the Vancity Community Foundation, but we continue to look for new means to support the program to ensure we can keep it running for years to come. 

We need your help to maintain the high level of work we do! To donate to our $30 for 30 Campaign on our website,click here! To donate via Canada Helps, visit them here.

Today’s focus: The Firehall’s newest member, Terri!

My name is Terri Le Gear and I am the Administrative Coordinator for the Firehall Arts Centre. I have been with the Firehall since November 2011, and as the newest member of the Firehall family I’d like to say I am thrilled to be here!   

It’s wonderful to be a part of the small group of individuals who are so lovely and who are genuinely passionate and dedicated to keeping the Firehall the respected cultural institution that it is. There are many positive things about the Firehall, which makes it difficult to pick just one aspect that makes working here enjoyable, or that makes the Firehall a special venue for performing and visual arts. However, I value how the Firehall is supportive of the communities it is a part of by supporting emerging artists and by having initiatives that make going to the theatre affordable and accessible to the greater public.

Located in possibly what are Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods (Chinatown and Gastown) I love how the Firehall has a vintage, timeless, as well as edgy quality that is reflected in our programming, and reflective of the two neighbourhoods with which we are connected. I have lived in Vancouver for the last seven years and have been fortunate enough to work in several of Vancouver’s heritage buildings from the Europe Hotel (1909), to the Marine Building (1929), and now the Firehall (1906).   From the beautiful brick work and tile mosaic work to the creaky steps, working at the Firehall makes me feel like I am a part of the greater art history of Vancouver.

To donate to our $30 for 30 Campaign on our website,click here! To donate via Canada Helps, visit them here.

Today we pick on (er, feature) Susan, our Bookkeeper!

Susan is wonderful and keeps us on track financially.  She also likes to bake cakes into unusual shapes, like Storm Trooper helmets and Pikachu. She said she will make one in the shape of the Firehall soon! Wait, would that just be a square?