FY 2014: ANNUAL REPORT

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FY 2014

WELCOME TO THE ROYAL & McPHERSON THEATRES SOCIETYAs we enter our second century of service to the community, we are pleased to present the Royal Theatre and McPherson Playhouse, which together form Victoria’s Performing Arts Centre. These two historic cultural assets are managed by the Royal and McPherson Theatres Society (formerly McPherson Foundation est. 1977), a not-for-profi t charity, established in 1998. The RMTS preserves, maintains and operates the buildings on behalf of their respective municipal partners for the enrichment of the cultural life of the region.

The Royal Theatre is owned by the Capital Regional District and receives funding from the municipalities of Saanich, Victoria, and Oak Bay. The McPherson Playhouse is owned by the City of Victoria and receives funding from the City of Victoria.

The RMTS has consistently provided excellent facility licensing, box offi ce services and professional advice to performing arts organizations in the CRD and throughout North America as well as visiting artists from around the world.

The RMTS Board of Directors is currently made up of one municipal Councillor from each of Saanich, Victoria, and Oak Bay, plus three Directors appointed by the CRD Board of Di-rectors and fi ve elected Directors. The Board endeavours to provide support and strategic advice, as well as governance and oversight, to the management team.

2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS• Byron Smith, President • Councillor Pam Madoff• Pat Ferns, Treasurer • Councillor Tara Ney• Kathy Kay, Secretary • Councillor Vicki Sanders• Bruce Cameron • Richard Schick• Gregory Damant • Raj Wirk• Tiffany Gartner-Bouffard

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FY 2014

MANAGEMENT TEAMThe RMTS is managed by an experienced professional management team:

• Lloyd Fitzsimonds, Executive Director

• Karen Ainey, Web & Software Application Manager• Karyn Anderson, Communications Coordinator & Finance Assistant• Nancy Downer, Accountant/Venue Settlements• Sheelagh Drever, Finance Assistant/Account Payable & Payroll• Roy Hanson, Finance Manager• Debora Johns, Front of House Manager• Blair Morris, Technical Director• Mandy Niddrie, Manager of Client Services/Rental Information• Melissa O’Shea, Box Offi ce Manager• Jennifer Phillips, Administrative Assistant/Marketing

The management team is supported by 200 full and part time theatre professionals, creating:

37 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Jobs$1,961,000 Total Employment Income

88% of the RMTS revenues are earned from theatre operations$3,243,000 Total Expenditures$450,000 Municipal Operating Grant

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FY 2014

OPERATING HIGHLIGHTSA VARIETY OF BIG NAMES! While some patrons felt the Centennial Festival was the highlight of 2014, many were thrilled, entertained, challenged and charmed by the parade of stars who crossed our stages throughout the year.

Alvin Ailey, Steve Martin, Tegan & Sara, Danny Bhoy, Jann Arden, Mother Mother, Tim Hicks, and many more, continued to show us the best and most exciting per-formers the world has to offer.

The Royal and McPherson Theatres Society gratefully acknowledges our municipal funding partners, without whom these buildings would not be fi nancially acces-sible to local presenters.

The Royal Theatre receives a total $100,000 operating grant from: Oak Bay, Saanich and Victoria

The McPherson Playhouse receives a $350,000 operating grant from: Victoria

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FY 2014

COMPARATIVE HISTORY OF EVENT LEVELSRMTS: USE DAYS RMTS: PERFORMANCES

USE DAYS 5 YR Average FY 2014 Royal Theatre 231 227

McPherson Playhouse 192 99

Combined 422 326

PERFORMANCES 5 YR Average FY 2014 Royal Theatre 143 131

McPherson Playhouse 130 75

Combined 273 206

McPherson Royal Combined McPherson Royal Combined

*the McPherson Playhouse was closed for construction 121 days in 2014 *the McPherson Playhouse was closed for construction 121 days in 2014

*2010 2011 2012 2013 2014* 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014*

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FY 2014

ATTENDANCE 5 YR Average FY 2014 Royal Theatre 131,758 122,391

McPherson Playhouse 50,340 34,024

Combined 182,098 156,415

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE 5 YR Average FY 2014 Royal Theatre 921 934

McPherson Playhouse 394 454

Combined 1315 1388

COMPARATIVE HISTORY OF ATTENDANCERMTS: ATTENDANCE PER YEAR RMTS: AVERAGE ATTENDANCE PER PERFORMANCE

McPherson Royal Combined McPherson Royal Combined

*the McPherson Playhouse was closed for construction 121 days in 2014 *the McPherson Playhouse was closed for construction 121 days in 2014

* *2010 20102011 20112012 20122013 20132014* 2014*

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FY 2014

2014 SOURCES OF REVENUES & EXPENSESOPERATING REVENUES: $3,173,726 OPERATING EXPENSES: $3,242,844

Production Recoveries $ 998,635 Grants from Owners $ 450,000 Box Offi ce Charges $ 709,968 Building Rental income $ 450,907 Concession Sales $ 288,322 Centennial Sales $ 185,922 Interest Income $ 42,594 Other $ 47,378

Production Expense $ 825,694 Admin Salaries $ 596,087 Box Offi ce Operations $ 511,118 Building Operations & Maintenance $ 464,422 Concession Operations $ 237,501 Centennial Celebration $ 311,930 Admin Operations $ 296,092

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FY 2014

INCOME STATEMENT

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CALENDAR YEAR ENDING 2014 2013 2012

REVENUE

Earned Revenue $ 2,723,726 $ 2,940,275 $ 3,141,103

Municipal Operating Grants 450,000 450,000 450,000

Building Improvement Fee 281,286 311,170 357,290

Total Revenue 3,455,012 3,701,445 3,948,393

DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSE 2,359,516 2,500,353 2,419,510

GROSS PROFIT $ 1,095,496 $ 1,201,092 $ 1,528,883

INDIRECT COSTS 883,328 873,856 906,084

EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS $ 212,168 $ 327,236 $ 622,799

Building Improvement Fee transferred to Capital Funds 281,286 311,170 357,290

EXCESS (DEFICIENCY) OF REVENUES OVER EXPENSES $ (69,118) $ 16,066 $ 265,509

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FY 2014

COMPARATIVE HISTORY OF FINANCIAL RESULTS

FY 2014 YEAR END - DEFICIENCY OF REVENUE OVER EXPENSE:FY 2014 YEAR END - OPERATING RESERVE:FY 2014 YEAR END - BUILDING IMPROVEMENT FUND RESERVE:

($69,000)$1,053,000$1,426,000

Operating Revenues Operating Expenses

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

2,700,00

2,800,00

2,900,00

3,000,00

3,100,00

3,200,00

3,300,00

3,400,00

3,500,00

3,600,00

3,700,00

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FY 2014

CAPITAL PROJECT HIGHLIGHTSThe restoration and maintenance of historic and iconic theatres is an ongoing affair done with care and attention to detail. The theatres are a keystone element in the cultural infrastructure of the CRD. The RMTS identifi es and plans all maintenance and upgrades for the theatres. Theatrical equipment and audience service im-provements are managed directly by the RMTS management team. Building infrastructure projects are managed by the CRD Environmental Engineering Department.

In 2014, our featured project was the installation of modern air handling and air conditioning equipment at the McPherson Playhouse. The McPherson Playhouse will provide the quality of air handling that modern audiences have come to expect. The McPherson Playhouse also benefi ted from renovated dressing rooms and new in-house communication systems.

Energy effi ciency is a goal of the RMTS. To that end, the RMTS has converted 1/3 of the high energy stage lighting fi xtures to more effi cient LED fi xtures. Screens have been added to the lobby windows as part of the ongoing efforts to manage the temperature in a passive manner.

The Royal and McPherson Theatres Society gratefully acknowledges our municipal funding partners, without whom the ongoing maintenance of these buildings would not be possible.

The Royal Theatre receives a total $480,000 Capital grant from: Oak Bay, Saanich and Victoria

The McPherson Playhouse receives a $400,000 Capital grant from: Victoria

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FY 2014

ROYAL THEATRE HIGHLIGHTSECONOMIC IMPACT ON COMMUNITY• $1,830,000 Operating Revenue

• $100,000 Municipal Operating Grant

• $1,930,000 Total Revenue

• $1,928,000 Total Operating Expense

• $5,000,000 Indirect Economic Effect

• $315,000 Discounts to Local Non-Profi t Presenters

• $4,500,000 Total Box Offi ce Activity

• 124,668 Total Attendance

ACTIVITY LEVEL • 227 Total Use Days

• 131 Total Performances

• 138 Total Dark Days

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FY 2014

ROYAL THEATRE EVENTSThe Royal Theatre is often thought of as the “Big Theatre” in Victoria. It is the home of Victoria’s larger non-profi t companies and is often the launching point fornational tours.

LOCAL NON-PROFITS: 202 DAYS / 106 PERFORMANCESVictoria Symphony, Pacifi c Opera Victoria, Dance Victoria, Victoria Jazz Festival, Ballet Victoria, Pearson College, Boston Dance Collective, Crystal Pite, Chris Botti with the Victoria Symphony, Rock The Royal, Allegro Performing Arts Centre, St. Michaels University Junior School, Raino Dance, Dansko Studios, Royal Roads University, Alma de Espana, The Huron Carole, Salvation Army, Naden Band.

COMMERCIAL EVENTS: 25 DAYS / 26 PERFORMANCESThe Backyardigans, Tegan and Sara, Goo Goo Dolls, Bill Burr, Collective Soul, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Danny Bhoy, Bachman & Turner, Steve Martin & Edie Brickell, Cheech and Chong, Pat Benatar, Melissa Etheridge, Jann Arden, Real Taste of India, Investors Group Comedy Tour, Disney Imagination Movers, Gordon Lightfoot, Stuart McLean, Current Swell, Ken Lavigne, Mother Mother.

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FY 2014

ROYAL THEATRE USE DAYS BY USER

Pacifi c Opera Victoria: 29%

Victoria Symphony: 30%

Dance Victoria: 8%

Other: 20%

Other: 4%Comedy: 2%

Concerts: 6%

CHART BASED ON 5 YEAR AVERAGE (2010-2014)

Commercial Non-Profi t

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FY 2014

ROYAL THEATRE NON-PROFIT / COMMERCIAL

The Royal & McPherson Theatres Society supported local non-profi t users by providing discounts amounting to $315,000

CHART BASED ON 5 YEAR AVERAGE (2010-2014)

Commercial Non-Profi t

Revenues

Attendance

Performances

Use Days

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

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FY 2014

McPHERSON PLAYHOUSE HIGHLIGHTSECONOMIC IMPACT ON COMMUNITY• $893,000 Operating Revenue

• $350,000 Municipal Operating Grant

• $1,243,000 Total Revenue

• $1,315,000 Total Operating Expense

• $3,327,000 Indirect Economic Effect

• $64,000 Discounts to Local Non-Profi t Presenters

• $955,000 Total Box Offi ce Ticket Sales

• 34,694 Total Attendance

ACTIVITY LEVEL • 99 Total Use Days

• 75 Total Performances

• 145 Total Dark Days

• 121 Closed for Construction

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FY 2014

McPHERSON PLAYHOUSE EVENTSThe much loved McPherson Playhouse has been the home of intimate theatre in Victoria since 1914. In the Centennial Season, the McPherson was a busy theatre in spite of being closed for 1/3 of the year to accommodate renovations.

LOCAL NON-PROFITS: 75 DAYS / 48 PERFORMANCESChor Leoni Men’s Choir, Spamalot, Orphee, BC Cadet Honour Band, HMS Pinafore, Shriners Variety Show, Young Frankenstein, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Victoria Academy of Ballet, RMTS Centennial, Folk/Roots/World Music Show, VOS Broadway Review, Raffi , Dance Unlimited, Centrepointe Ballet School, The Addams Family, Community Living Victoria, Dracula, A Christmas Story.

COMMERCIAL EVENTS: 24 DAYS / 27 PERFORMANCESSnowed in Comedy Tour, Debra DiGiovanni, Randy Elvis Friskie, Buckcherry, Brent Butt, Liona Boyd, Elvis Elvis Elvis, Snowbird: Anne Murray Tribute, Zucchero, Ron James, Tommy Emmanuel, Coast Capital Savings, Ryan Stiles and Greg Proops on the Couch, Law Society of BC, Coronation Street, Steve Earle, Ian Tyson, Theory of a Deadman, Just for Laughs, TEDx, Tim Hicks, Rock n Roll Christmas, Canada’s Best Karate, Frank Mills Christmas, Toopy & Binoo, Max and Ruby Nutcracker Suite.

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FY 2014

McPHERSON PLAYHOUSE USE DAYS BY USER

Other: 3%Comedy: 4%

Concerts: 6%

CHART BASED ON 5 YEAR AVERAGE (2010-2014)

Commercial Non-Profi t

Non-Profi t: 87%

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FY 2014

McPHERSON PLAYHOUSE NON-PROFIT / COMMERCIAL

The Royal & McPherson Theatres Society supported local non-profi t users by providing discounts amounting to $65,000

CHART BASED ON 5 YEAR AVERAGE (2010-2014)

Commercial Non-Profi t

Revenues

Attendance

Performances

Use Days

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

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FY 2014

RMTS PRESENTS: THE CENTENNIAL FESTIVALThe Royal Theatre opened on December 30, 1913, and the McPherson Playhouse (then called the Pantages Theatre) opened May 18, 1914. The two theatres have been Victoria’s window on the world of performing arts for the past century. Gracing its stages have been exciting global superstars, such as Sarah Bernhardt, Carlos Montoya, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Luciano Pavarotti, Karen Kain, Leonard Cohen, Crosby Stills and Nash, Tony Bennett, Nelly Furtado, David Foster, plus many more big names and incredible talents.

In May of 2014, the RMTS, in partnership with our resident companies, presented a Centennial Festival in celebration of 100 years of presenting the best in classi-cal and popular entertainment. Funders included the RMTS, Canadian Heritage, the Province of BC and the CRD.

The seven indoor events thrilled over 4600 patrons while the outdoor birthday party charmed family groups with over 3000 people attending. Concerts included Crystal Pite’s Kidd Pivot, the Victoria Conservatory of Music & Vox Humana presenting Then and Now, a West Coast Roots Celebration and Rock The Royal!Victoria Operatic Society celebrated VOS the American Musical and Chris Botti performed with the Victoria Symphony. Raffi provided a sell-out concert for children of all ages.

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FY 2014

RMTS & THE NADEN BAND: A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPTwo Canadian cities enjoy the privilege of being home to the fl eets of the Royal Canadian Navy. Victoria plays host to Canada’s Pacifi c Naval Fleet, which like the RMTS, is a vital part of the community. The Royal Theatre and the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy have shared a long history together.

Navy Bands, starting with the Royal Navy Band that arrived with Sir James Douglas, have always been a part of the cultural life of the region. Over the past 100 years they have been regular performers at both the Royal Theatre and the McPherson Playhouse.

For the past 37 years, the Naden Band Christmas toy drive has proved to be a valuable contribution to the community. Partnering with the RMTS at the RoyalTheatre, this past year’s concerts served over 4500 adult patrons and 3000 students with the donation of over 4000 toys.

The Royal Theatre hosts the International Military Band Concert, which brings in bands from many different countries. Every spring the McPherson Playhouse is fi lled for the BC Cadet Honour Band Concert. The RMTS is honoured to be part of this important tradition.

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FY 2014

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMINGA VARIETY OF CHILDREN’S EVENTSChildren’s theatre is important. Like much of the work done at the Royal Theatre and the McPherson Playhouse, children’s programming is as much about citizenship development, community involvement, and education as it is about entertainment.

Many of our adult companies have children’s programming included in their season. The Victoria Symphony through their Community and Children’s Programs, the Pacifi c Opera through their Student Dress Rehearsal Nights, Dance Victoria through their “Pay Your Age” and “Nutcracker Kids” Programs, the annual Nutcracker per-formance, and the Naden Band through their student matinees, provide many opportunities for young audiences.

Some very good work is done by companies who perform especially for children and young people. Kaleidoscope Theatre Productions, the Cadet Honour Band, Victoria Academy of Ballet, Dance Unlimited, Centrepointe Ballet School, Dansko Studios, Allegro Performing Arts, Boston Dance Collective, St. Michaels University School and Canadian College of Performing Arts all work with children in the cast, providing opportunities for future performers.

Touring theatre companies bring us the most popular children’s performers from around the world, such as The Backyardigans, Raffi , Toopy & Binoo and Max and Ruby Nutcracker Suite.

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FY 2014

LOCAL NON-PROFIT SERVICESThe Royal & McPherson Theatres supports local non-profi t organizations with the provision of discounted fees and charges for their use of the Royal Theatre and the McPherson Playhouse. In FY 2014, these discounts benefi ted local non-profi ts in the amount of:

Royal Theatre $315,000

McPherson Playhouse $64,000

Grand Total $379,000

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RMTS Administration Offi ce625 Fisgard Street

Victoria, BC V8W 1R7

250.361.0800Box Offi ce: 250.386.6121

RMTS Administration Offi ce, Mailing AddressRoyal & McPherson Theatres Society

PO Box 1000Victoria, BC V8W 2S6

Royal Theatre805 Broughton StreetVictoria, BC V8W 1E5

McPherson Playhouse#3 Centennial SquareVictoria, BC V8W 1P5

www.rmts.bc.ca