The Stephenville Theatre Festival offers a compelling mix of performances to attract visitors from all over while serving as a valuable contributor to the economy of the Bay St. George area. The festival's nearly 30-year legacy of theatre continues with an investment of $25,000 under the Cultural Economic Development Program (CEDP) of the Department of Tourism, culture and Recreation, and a term loan of $33,000 from the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Fund of the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development.

The theatre festival has been operating in Stephenville since 1979 to produce works of theatre in the classical and contemporary styles, with special emphasis on musical theatre. The funding will support the festival's 2007 season, which runs for eight weeks, an increase of three weeks from the 2006 season.

"I just had the great pleasure of being in Stephenville to attend a performance and meet the cast of Heave Away, which celebrates traditional and contemporary Newfoundland and Labrador music and stories," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "Witnessing this great performance was a tremendously entertaining and moving experience. With an extended season of outstanding theatre, the 2007 season is looking to be a great success for the festival."

"The Stephenville Festival, in addition to promoting the culture of our province, is also an economic generator for the region that boosts tourism and helps local businesses," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "I am pleased that my department is able to contribute to the festival."

"The Stephenville Theatre Festival is a source of great pride and entertainment for our community," said the Honourable Joan Burke, MHA for the District of St. George's-Stephenville East. "I am very pleased to be part of a government that recognizes and supports the festival's contribution to both our culture and economy."

"Through our cultural plan, Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: The Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture, the Provincial Government champions the promotion of culture throughout the province," said Minister Hedderson. "Our financial support of the Theatre Stephenville Festival is recognition of the profound and lasting influence it has had on culture throughout Newfoundland and Labrador."

Under the CEDP program, the Provincial Government will invest a total of $2.15 million this year to assist with the development of arts and heritage initiatives across the province. The arts sector will receive support for operations, marketing, professional development and export for cultural products. The heritage sector will receive support to assist with conservation, presentation and interpretation of heritage resources, as well as professional development for heritage professionals.

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