This week we spoke with Caleb Marshall, Managing Director of Festival Antigonish and Theatre Antigonish to address the rumors that the Bauer Theatre is closing. Highlights from this episode:
The bad news: The Bauer Theatre faces significant fire safety compliance issues - A recent fire marshal inspection identified needed upgrades including sprinkler systems, roof vents, and fire separation barriers, with costs potentially ranging from $300,000 to over $1 million.
The good news: The summer 2025 Festival Antigonish season is completely unaffected, and completely safe! Festival Antigonish will be staging two shows; "For Love nor Money" and "The Secret Garden of An Sìthean," with fire safety personnel on watch during all performances to ensure audience safety.
The Bauer will likely be (temporarily) pausing shows after August - While engineers are proposing less expensive alternative safety measures to the fire marshal, the extensive repairs can't realistically be completed during the summer festival season, meaning repairs will start in the fall and the building may lose its assembly space designation temporarily.
Both theater organizations will continue regardless - Theater Antigonish and Festival Antigonish are exploring alternative venues for fall/winters shows, like the university chapel auditorium or Immaculata, proving their adaptability after successfully staging shows on Keppoch Mountain during previous challenges.
A new arts facility is being seriously considered - The organizations are conducting a feasibility study for a purpose-built, fully accessible arts center that could be realized within 5-8 years.
Despite the uncertainly of the future of the Bauer Theatre building, the good news is that Festival and Theatre Antigonish will continue to produce programming for the foreseeable future. With a bit of luck, the Bauer will be able to host shows again after repairs are completed. Regardless, a brand new theatre facility is likely coming at some point, which is also exciting news.
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