44th Annual Grand Gala Welcomes Special Guest Marc Hall

LONDON, ON, May 24, 2018 – The Grand Theatre is thrilled to host the 44^th Annual Grand Gala presented by Sterling Marking Products on May 24, 2018.

The sold-out event will honour Marc Hall, whose true-life story inspired PROM QUEEN: THE MUSICAL, announced in February of 2018 as the selection for the Grand’s 2018 High School Project.

Marc will be joined at the Gala by his partner Jerrod, his mother and father, as well as his brother, sister-in-law, and nephew. Other guests of distinction include last year’s Gala honouree, Michael Rubinoff.

“I can’t wait to share this special evening with my family at the Grand and am humbled by London’s support of my story.  It was almost 16 years ago to the day that I successfully won the right to take my boyfriend to Prom. The support from my friends, my family, and my teachers helped me find my voice.  I know the High School Project, through theatre and the arts, gives students the very same opportunity to find their voice,” said Marc Hall.

Proceeds from the Gala support the Grand’s Make a Difference youth programs which include the High School Project as well as the Grand’s 100 Schools Program that tours a professional theatre production to 100 schools at no charge. 

Billed as a ‘come WHO you are event,’ Gala attendees have been encouraged to don Prom attire for the evening. Gala Co-chairs Peter Markvoort and Collin Johnstone have led an inspired committee over the past several months to plan a night to remember.

The Gala’s goal of raising $200,000 will be kicked off by Libro Credit Union’s announcement of its continued support as the Lead Community Partner of the Grand’s Make A Difference programs with a commitment of $30,000.

The Grand Theatre gratefully acknowledges the 44th Annual Gala sponsors:

About the High School Project
The only theatre program of its kind in North America, the High School Project offers an opportunity for students to receive education and training in the working environment of a professional theatre. High school students from London and area are mentored by professional artists in acting, stage management, props, wardrobe, scenic art, sound, lighting, orchestra, and photography, culminating in a production on the Grand's Spriet Stage.

This year’s HSP will be PROM QUEEN: THE MUSICAL, onstage from September 18 to 29, 2018. This new, Canadian, award-winning production, originally developed through Sheridan College’s Canadian Music Theatre Project tells the true story of then 17-year-old Marc Hall. It’s graduation time and Marc wants to take his boyfriend to the prom. But the principal and the school board trustees won’t allow it. Suddenly, Marc finds himself fighting not only for his right to choose his prom date, but also for the right to be different and have his voice heard.

About 100 Schools Program
The 100 Schools Program launched in the 2017/18 Season by the Grand Theatre. A professional production tours to elementary school gymnasiums and auditoriums across London and the surrounding area at no cost to the schools.

This past season, the Grand worked with the Thames Valley District School Board and the London District Catholic School Board to tour Beethoven Lives Upstairs across the region. By the end, the cast and crew performed 119 shows to over 33,000 elementary school students, and traveled about 3,000 kilometres.

The 2018/19 Season title will be announced in the coming months.

About the Grand Theatre
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum and Executive Director Deb Harvey, the Grand is a leading cultural hub located in the heart of downtown London, Ontario. The Grand offers diverse, relevant, and original stories from around the globe through collaborations with national and international performing arts organizations and is committed to developing, producing, and premiering original stories through COMPASS New Play Development program. The Grand supports educational programming with The High School Project, the only program of its kind in North America, and 100 Schools, a community initiative that brings professional theatre to London-area schools at no cost.

For more information, contact:
Kate Rapson, Communications Manager, Grand Theatre
519-672-9030 ext. 247 | krapson [at] grandtheatre.com (krapson[at]grandtheatre[dot]com)