The Stratford Festival has asked the federal government for $8 million in financial relief to help them with what they say is a $20 million deficit in their budget due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The federal and provincial government’s have a track record of assisting the festival, recently pitching in funding for their new Tom Patterson theatre, which was set to open this year prior to the postponement of shows.
Executive Director Anita Gaffney says 95% of their revenue stems from ticket sales, and they bring in about $135 million each year to the region. Their shows have been postponed this year.
They’ve been in conversation with the feds since early April and Gaffney notes they haven’t been given a timeline to expect an answer.
