Genevieve E. Yates Memorial Centre facts for kids
The Genevieve E. Yates Memorial Centre is a special place in downtown Lethbridge, Alberta. It's a big building that has two theatres where people can enjoy live performances. This centre officially opened its doors on May 1, 1966.
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Discover the Yates Centre
The Yates Centre is a hub for arts and culture in Lethbridge. It was built to give the community a dedicated space for plays, concerts, and other exciting events. Construction started on August 15, 1965, and it was ready for visitors less than a year later.
A Gift to the Community
The idea for the centre came to life thanks to a generous gift. A local business owner named Deane Yates donated more than $200,000 to help build it. He asked that the centre be named the Genevieve E. Yates Memorial Centre, in memory of Genevieve E. Yates. This kind donation made it possible for Lethbridge to have such a wonderful performing arts venue.
The Theatres Inside
The Yates Centre is home to two different theatres, each designed for a unique experience.
The Yates Theatre
The larger of the two is the Yates Theatre. It has 500 seats, so lots of people can come and watch a show together. This theatre is a proscenium theatre. This means it has a "picture frame" stage, where the audience looks through an archway at the performers, just like looking at a picture. It's perfect for big plays, musicals, and dance performances.
The Sterndale Bennett Theatre
The second theatre is called the Sterndale Bennett Theatre. It's smaller and more intimate, with 180 seats. This theatre is a black box theatre. A black box theatre is a simple, flexible space, usually painted black, that can be set up in many different ways. This allows directors and actors to be very creative with their staging.
The Sterndale Bennett Theatre is named after Ernest Sterndale Bennett. He was a talented actor and director who contributed a lot to theatre. He was also the grandson of a famous composer, Sir William Sterndale Bennett. In December 1974, Ernest Sterndale Bennett was recognized for his services to theatre and was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada. This is a very high honour given to people who have made a big difference in Canada.
More Than Just Shows
Beyond the stages, the Yates Centre also has an art gallery. You can find this gallery in the upper mezzanine area of the building. The gallery is managed by the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge. It's a great place to see local art and enjoy different kinds of creative expressions, even when there isn't a show happening.
