Dear Patrons:

Thank you for another exciting season at the Highlands Summer Festival and the Highlands Opera Studio. We are very pleased with the response of our audience to the 2009 playbill. Work has already started on the 2010 season.

This year we marked the tenth anniversary of Highlands Summer Festival. We celebrated with a gala performance in April at which we reprised some of the outstanding performances of the past nine years. It was great to see the many individuals who have been part of the growth of the Highlands Summer Festival since its inception in 2000.

In addition to the celebration held earlier this spring to mark our tenth anniversary season, we have just completed our first year as a registered charity. While the new status has not resulted in any major change in our mandate to deliver the best possible theatre and concerts to our patrons, the new designation has been helpful in securing financial assistance from a number of sources previously unavailable to us. As well, it meant we could acknowledge the donations we receive from our patrons not only with our sincere thanks, but with a receipt which can be used for income tax purposes. Your continuing support as patrons and as donors is appreciated.

This also marked the third and most successful season for the Highlands Opera Studio. Working with some of the most talent young opera professionals in the country the Artistic Directors Richard Margison and Valerie Kuinka have developed the program into an outstanding training ground and showcase that is attracting international attention.

Highlands Summer Festival is pleased to welcome Scot Denton back as Artistic Producer. In that role Scot has been instrumental in designing the theatre season and selecting the key individuals to lead the year. He has also directed a production each season. The Highlands Summer Festival team is looking forward to working with Scot again in 2010.

As we move into autumn, I know everyone wants to know what is planned for the 2010 season. At the moment, all I can say is that it will be as interesting lively and vibrant as the one which concluded. As soon as the schedule is firm, we'll announce it here so keep an eye on this website.

Thanks again to our patrons, cast, crew and volunteers for another great season.

Jack Brezina,
President,
Highlands Summer Festival / Highlands Opera Studio