The Garry Theatre has hired an Executive Director and she’s as excited as the community is about its opening.
Julia Brown is originally from Winnipeg but has been living on Vancouver Island for the last 10 years working as the Guest Services Manager at IMAX Victoria. She’s made her way back to Manitoba, is living in Selkirk, and is excited to be here when The Garry reopens its doors, tentatively set for late September.
Brown’s introduction to theatre was somewhat by accident, when she took what she thought would be an easier path to completing her university degree.
“It got started when I was in third year university and I thought I would take theatre for an easy credit,” Brown laughed.
Garry’s new Executive Director brings a passion to the theatre
“And I found out I loved it. It changed the whole direction of my university studies and the degree I came out of it with was a drama degree, but I basically focused on technical theatre, backstage and that kind of thing.”
She’s worked in the industry ever since and is versed in the behind-the-scenes operation of a theatre and well immersed in the community of independent theatres.
“I’ve always been drawn to creative things, but I don’t feel like I’m a creator, so to speak, so the idea of being able to be involved in that industry in a more administrative or technical capacity was very attractive to me. And I just found my people there, if that makes sense,” she says.
“I felt an enormous sense of belonging when I started those programs. That’s sort of been the through line…I’ve always been able to do work that I’ve found very meaningful to me.”
Impressive background in theatre and arts & culture
Kyla Ray, the city’s Manager of Cultural and Recreational Programs, who also serves as Secretary for the Garry Theatre Board of Directors, says Brown has an impressive history in theatre. She was the Front of House Manager at Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre where her duties included budgeting and supervising, as well as training and maintaining relations with 600 volunteer ushers. She did sales and event coordination at Elkhorn Resort and was the producer of the Winnipeg Fringe comes to Clear Lake Festival.
“She has extensive experience running movie theatres as well as managing live theatre,” Ray said.
“She has all the skill sets required to build The Garry, because we are starting from the ground up here.”
Running an independent theatre is much different than working for a chain, and for Brown, that’s a big attraction. She will have a hand in everything from staffing decisions, assisting and educating the board in the world of independent theatres, what movies are playing and how they’re promoted.
“She has all the skill sets required to build The Garry, because we are starting from the ground up here.”
Kyla Ray, Manager of Cultural and Recreational Programs, City of Selkirk
“It’s more interesting, because you have more direct control over what you’re programming, when you’re programming it. The chain cinemas rely on their head office for marketing, whereas when you’re an independent, you’re also figuring out your own marketing channels,” Brown said.
“All of that needs to be built up and it’s an exciting challenge.”
Hitting the ground running
Selkirk CAO and Garry Theatre Board President Duane Nicol says The Garry’s Board of Directors has been working on the business plan, budget and other elements and preparing for Brown’s arrival.
“Everyone was excited for her to start and begin focusing on the day-to-day, core operations of the business. She has just started and has really hit the ground running,” Nicol said.
The purchase and impending reopening of The Garry have generated a ton of community interest and Nicol says Brown’s experience makes her an excellent choice for Executive Director of the non-profit.
A theatre experience shaped by the community
“There will be a feeling out process to learn what the community wants, what works, what we’re able to do, so it will be an evolution of sorts. We know from surveys there are a lot of people who only want first-run movies, but there were also people who couldn’t care less about first run, they wanted live performance, live theatre, and a music venue in the community. So it’ll be more art than science to figure out what’s the right mix for us,” Nicol said.
“The goal is to be community responsive, which is why we have a community board in place. The theatre will not survive without strong community support and we need to make sure we’re listening and trying to respond to those wants. It’s not about opening the doors for the first time, it’s about keeping those doors open in perpetuity.”
Brown was following along with The Garry’s progress from Victoria prior to her arrival in Selkirk and was happy to learn how excited the community was about the theatre’s reopening.
“I’ve always been drawn to creative things and I just found my people there (in theatre).”
Julia Brown, Executive Director, The Garry Theatre
“It’s wonderful,” she said.
“That’s going to be important to its success, because ultimately for it to be viable, we need to have lots of people attending, watching and enjoying films there. And live performance.”
She’s also got her finger on the pulse of perhaps the most important part of the movie theatre experience – popcorn.
“There’s a great expectation of good popcorn, and I know how to make good popcorn,” Brown laughed.
