Our History
OUR STORY
Since 1978, Pine Tree Players has been at the heart of the Bow Valley’s cultural scene, transforming local stories and talent into captivating theatre experiences. From our humble beginnings to becoming a beloved community institution, our journey is a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration.
Timeline with Key Milestones
Pine Tree Players (PTP) is registered as a non-profit society.
Michael Vincent, one of the founding members, comes up with the name, Pine Tree Players, and creates the first logo.
To help stage the first play, a donation is secured from the Recreation and Culture board in the amount of $250, which is half the board’s annual budget.
One poster advertising the first play, The Bad Children, is made and put up on the telephone pole in front of the Canmore Hotel.
The theatre company performs its first play, The Bad Children, in Centennial Park on Canada Day.
The Favourite Son is the second play produced, which is an original play written by Bow Valley local Stewart Boston. It is staged at the Canmore Golf Course clubhouse (now the Pro Shop).
Kennedy’s Children is staged at the old Red Barn Hall, on the former daycare lands, near Lions Park.
After the coal mines close in 1979, the Miners’ Union Hall falls into disrepair. The municipality considers demolishing the building to create a parking lot.
Before the Provincial Building housing the courthouse was built, Canmore’s weekly court is held in the Miners’ Union Hall. Sometimes the judge holds court with his table and chair on the set of a play.
Bob Snape and the PTP members spearhead a campaign to raise $105,000 to renovate the Miners’ Union Hall.
Three One-Act Plays, Cornered, Still Love and Mirage, go on the road and are staged in Field, Exshaw, Bragg Creek, Banff and at home in Canmore.
Christmas plays are staged: Whatever Happened to Good Old Scrooge and Applause for the Claus.
The company starts to stage plays in the Miners’ Union Hall.
The first musical, By Heart, is staged at the Canmore Drop-in Centre.
Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed officially re-opens the Miners’ Union Hall.
PTP goes to High River to attend the regional One Act Play Festival for the first time. The company performs Still Stands the House and Brothers in Arms
A theatre workshop is held at the Banff Centre for interested participants.
Cinderella is performed as outdoors in Centennial Park.
Members of PTP stage the Story Telling Tent as part of the Canada Day celebrations in Centennial Park.
Pine Tree Players’ future is uncertain due to the lack of volunteers with many active members leaving the area.
A revitalized PTP is back in action after a successful call for volunteers.
PTP Dinner Theatre is staged at the Sherwood House, now known as The Wood.
The Town of Canmore buys the Miners’ Union Hall from the Lions Club.
For approximately 8 years, a youth drama group, the Pine Cones, stages plays under the direction of PTP.
For 17 years, The Shooting of Dan McGrew is performed with the same cast in various venues including the Miners’ Union Hall, Cornerstone Theatre and at the skating show in the recreation centre as part of the Canmore Winter Carnival.
The Farm Show is the last production to be staged in the Miners’ Union Hall until 2002.
The Canmore Collegiate High School theatre becomes the home of PTP.
PTP funds the Alan Hipkins Memorial Scholarship, awarded to a Canmore Collegiate High School student who demonstrates excellence and commitment in theatre, film or TV performance or production, and will be continuing in this area at a post-secondary setting.
PTP takes 1st prize for their float in the Canada Day parade.
PTP Canmore hosts the Zone 8 One-Act Play Festival at the Canmore Collegiate High School theatre.
Until 2002, the Miners Union Hall is known as The Hub, a youth drop-in centre. PTP moves back into the hall that year.
The Singer Songwriter Series is held on evenings when plays are not scheduled to take advantage of the stage and chair set up.
A $90,000 kitchen renovation is completed in 30 days with all costs covered by grants, donations and volunteer labour.
Westray: The Long Way Home, directed by Lawrence Hutchings and produced by Bob Snape, is a play about the 1992 Westray, Nova Scotia, mining disaster. Some of the proceeds of that play are donated to the Canmore bronze miner project which now stands beside the Canmore Hotel on Main Street.
The main entrance stairs are replaced with some that are similar to the original 1913 design.
The company stages The Bad Children again to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
The windows are replaced to achieve a look similar to that of a 1926 photograph.
PTP is awarded the management contract of the Canmore Miners’ Union Hall.
When mould is discovered, a complete washroom renovation is done by the Town of Canmore.
To commemorate the Miners’ Union Hall’s centennial, a major exterior restoration project is completed which restores the 1913 original appearance of the building. The Town of Canmore committed $100,000, while $100,000 was donated anonymously for the project along with a matching provincial grant of $125,000.
Nunsense the Musical is the first play at which tickets are 50% off for those with a Town of Canmore Affordable Services Program card.
Pine Tree Players celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Canmore Summer Theatre Festival brings Theatre in the Park back to Canmore.
Canmore Summer Theatre Festival moves online due to the COVID19 pandemic.
Adhering to COVID19 restrictions, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is streamed online. Rehearsals and filming are done remotely. Filming is coordinated with a green screen and remote cameras.
The company performs its first accessible plays with live audio description and American Sign Language Interpretation.
PTP adopts the values of fun, community and creativity.
Pine Tree Players celebrates its 45th anniversary.
PTP's new logo celebrates the organization's history and reflects our values.