Manitoba Theatre for Young People dreams big with new campaign

A home for creativity and imagination for generations, Manitoba Theatre for Young People (MTYP) has helped thousands of children and youth across the province discover the joy of theatre since 1982.

With a new capital campaign underway, the organization is embarking on one of the biggest projects in its 40-year history. And with a long-time supporter by its side—ACU’s Community Financial Centre (CFC)—MTYP is on its way to establishing a bright future.

A bright light in the community

At MTYP, the largest performing arts organization dedicated to children and youth in Western Canada, everyone is welcome, explains Debra Zoerb, MTYP Managing Director.

The organization’s 28,000 square-foot space performance facility—located in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 territory at The Forks—opened in 1999 as the first theatre purpose-built for a company for children and youth in the country.

MTYP offers a broad range of programming, from theatre training and education programs for children from 18 months to 18 years, through after school, weekend classes, courses and summer camps. MTYP is also home to the Indigenous-led theatre program, Indigenous Theatre for Youth, for Indigenous and Métis students ages eight to 18.

Outreach activities are also key to MTYP’s programming, with educators and teaching assistants traveling throughout Winnipeg and the province to deliver workshops, week long residencies and camps.

MTYP mounts six to seven stage productions per year, telling unique stories and hosting globe-spanning guest companies. It also ensures that it shares its facility with other community organizations, such as dance companies and the The Winnipeg International Children’s Festival.

After 25 years of increasingly ambitious programming, Debra says it’s time to invest in the future by updating their facility to better serve students, audiences, and artists.

---

“ACU’s been a strong supporter of Manitoba Theatre for Young People because we see their role as such a community leader in their field,”— Bill Dinsdale, Senior Commercial Account Manager, Not-for-Profit Specialist, ACU CFC

---

Play it Forward

Earlier this year, MTYP embarked on Play it Forward, a $9-million capital campaign to modernize its facility towards ensuring financial sustainability, meet and exceed sustainability and accessibility standards and increase capacity of use. Approximately $1.5 million of the funds raised have already been used to retire debt, closing off the building’s mortgage.

$6.5 million of the money raised will be directed towards significant capital improvements at the facility, starting with greening initiatives such as new windows, an updated roof and an HVAC system.

Debra explains that many not-for-profit organizations that own venues find updating infrastructure challenging.

Part of the project will involve fully converting Richardson Hall—currently a large, multi-purpose space used for rehearsals and classes—into Richardson Studio Theatre, a true ‘black box theatre’. The new space will be a blank slate for MTYP or rental clients, with fully reconfigurable seating for 100.

Other plans involve establishing a $1 million endowment, housed at the Winnipeg Foundation, providing the organization with funds annually to support the development of new plays and productions. Supporting new works is essential to ensuring the stories MTYP shares on its stage continue to be relevant to children and young people now and in future.

A partnership for success

Over more than 25 years, MTYP has been a valued member of ACU’s CFC, which supports small businesses, start-ups, not-for-profits, social enterprises and co-ops.

The CFC offers a full suite of banking solutions, from savings accounts to mortgages, lines of credit, credit cards, and construction financing—but also recognizes that not-for-profits have unique needs and challenges that often require tailored solutions.

“It’s so important to have an organization like ACU see the value in what we do and say ‘we’re prepared to invest in you and partner with you in all of your goals and ambitions’ because that’s extremely affirming to know that others see the impact of what we’re doing.”—Debra Zoerb, Managing Director, MTYP

Bill Dinsdale, ACU Senior Commercial Account Manager and Not-for-Profit Specialist, has been working with MTYP for 10 years, providing the organization with support, guidance and the customized financial solutions it needs.

The two organizations have aligned values, he explains: a focus on accessibility, diversity and supporting the community are paramount.

Indeed, one of the theatre’s key pillars is ensuring that MTYP is a space for all and that everything it does is welcoming to individuals from as many diverse backgrounds as possible.

“I see that reflected in how ACU approaches its business, who they are in the community and how they interact with their membership,” says Debra.

Looking to the future together

Debra explains that MTYP’s relationship with the CFC has always been rewarding. But the team’s care and attention are especially invaluable now, as MTYP navigates large-scale projects for the first time since 1999.

“It’s been essential to have ACU’s support to get our footing and settle into this home to stabilize ourselves. Now, we’re really excited about the ongoing relationship with ACU as they support us through this next part of our journey,” she states.

Bill and the CFC team have advised Debra on deploying funds, filling in knowledge gaps and helping MTYP explore new terrain, like financing construction projects.

“I can navigate that in a collaborative sense with ACU. And that is extremely valuable,” Debra remarks. “I don’t feel like a number, I don’t feel like an account, I don’t feel like any of those things. Instead, we share an understanding—I’m a partner.”

Ultimately, says Debra, meeting the campaign goal will ensure that MTYP is a space that welcomes and serves children and young people—as well as the educators and adults who care for them—for many decades.

Looking at the opportunities ahead, Debra says that, “at the end of this campaign, when construction is finished and the endowment is established, it’s a chance for us to dream again and to look to the future.”

Payworks is currently matching all donations from the community to MTYP’s Play it Forward campaign up to $500,000. Visit playitforwardmtyp.ca to donate.

Learn more about the Manitoba Theatre for Young People’s Play it Forward campaign and ACU’s Community Financial Centre.

---