Astor Theatre holding information meeting for members before AGM

Howe of the Astor Theatre, the Liverpool Town Hall Arts and Cultural Centre. Photo Ed Halverson

UPDATED 8:33 p.m.

The Astor Theatre is holding an information session on Thursday in advance of its annual general meeting on May 9. 

Thursday’s meeting is for members of the Astor Theatre Society. It will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Astor.

It’s in response to a request from the ad hoc community group Queens County Community Theatre Advocates, according to Astor board chairman John Simmonds.

“The meeting was requested by a group of community members which we’ve agreed to, and the purpose of the meeting is to clarify voting procedures and entitlements, and nomination procedures for new directors at the AGM.”

The group was formed after Ashley-Rose Goodwin resigned as the theatre’s associate artistic director in mid-March.

The group said it was concerned about recent decisions made by executive director Jerri Southcott and the Astor Board. It said it was worried how those decisions affected the Astor’s legacy as a community-based theatre. As Astor members, it said it was trying to hold the board accountable.

Simmonds said Wednesday he couldn’t say much more about the meeting on Thursday.

“It’s an information meeting basically. There’s no motions. There’s nothing that’s going to take place other than questions and answers.”

The meeting was originally scheduled for Queens Place Emera Centre, but Simmonds said late Wednesday they were able to juggle the schedule at the Astor and have the meeting at the theatre.

The Astor put out a call in April for nominations to its board. Simmonds said the Astor has a slate of possible candidates for vacant board positions. He said that will also be discussed at Thursday’s meeting.

Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com

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