Cape Breton has a guardian angel, and her name is Annette Verschuren.

That’s what staff at the Highland Arts Theatre learned this week when Annette and her husband, Stan Shibinsky, made a commitment to match new donations that are pledged during the first hour of the Save the HAT Telethon this Sunday, July 19^th.

The HAT has been fundraising for three weeks now in an effort to stabilize the organization from the catastrophic effects of COVID-19 over the past four months. In exchange for monthly tax-deductible donations, the Sydney theatre will commit to a wide variety of community projects including – if they make their total goal – 12 productions of plays and musicals free of charge for the entire community.

“The Telethon is the crescendo of our July campaign and we’ve harnessed dozens of incredible Cape Breton performers who’ve come to our rescue.” said HAT Artistic & Executive Director, Wesley J. Colford. “There may even be a few celebrity surprises…”

As a matching sponsor, Annette and Stan have pledged to match all new donations pledged in the first hour of the telethon up to a total of $60,000 or $5000 per month.

“We’re just about at 40% of our goal now, so this has the potential to boost us a full 20% in just one hour, bringing our efforts past the 60% mark. It’s a massive goal, but we have a massive dilemma and it calls for radical action.” said Colford.

The campaign goal of 2000 people pledging at lest $25 in donations per month represents less than half of the HAT’s actual expenses from 2019 and closer to a third of budgeted expenses for 2020. Even with potential limited opening, the theatre stands to lose $1 million in 2020 which would be devastating for the local society that has already struggled with a lack of funding since opening in 2014.

Verschuren spoke very highly of the fundraising efforts of the group, as well as the need for a theatre in downtown Sydney for both cultural and economic reasons.

“The HAT is a true gem in Sydney's downtown,” said Verschuren.  “There is nothing more magical than being in a theatre and the connection between audience and performer. It is very important what the HAT is doing, both for the cultural health of our island and for downtown regeneration."

The Telethon will broadcast digitally from the HAT website and Facebook page this Sunday, July 19^th from 5:00 to 9:00.

Headliners include The Barra MacNeils, Bette MacDonald, The Ashbys, Jordan Musyscyn, Joella Foulds, Ciarán MacGillivray, Michelle Stephens, and many more.

“We have the best talent on the island lined up, now we just need the island to show up.” Said Colford. “We have two live shows planned for August. We want them to be free for everyone. Your donation and the extreme generosity of Annette and Stan will make that happen.”

For full information on #RadicalAccess fundraising goals, as well as information on how to make your donation pledge, visit the HAT website at: www.highlandartstheatre.com

Highland Arts Theatre

40 Bentinck Street, Sydney, NS B1`P 1G2

T: 902.565.3637

E: [email protected]