The Spotlight Circle
A Collective of Women and Allies Uplifting Creative Voices in Theatre
Co-Chaired by Erica Pretorius and Camila Merlano
At Bard on the Beach, we believe theatre is about more than just a performance. It’s a place for a shared experience. A space where stories unfold against the backdrop of sky and sea. A home where timeless works are adapted to reflect the present moment.
The Spotlight Circle is collective of engaged and like-minded humans who power those beliefs through individual giving. This initiative invests in uplifting bold creative voices with a powerful story to tell at Bard on the Beach while creating meaningful connection, a shared purpose, and a lasting experience.
We invite you to join us. Please click on the link below and it will take you to our donation page where you make your annual contribution of $1,000 paid at once OR in monthly instalments of $84.
The Spotlight Circle's Mission
The Spotlight Circle’s mission is to:
- Uplifting creative voices that deserve a wider stage to bring powerful (women-led) stories into focus
- Invest in stories that challenge and resonate
- Build a community of humans connected through culture and a united mission
Together, members of the Spotlight Circle will help Bard continue to spotlight these voices on our stages.
2026 Support
In its inaugural year, The Spotlight Circle will collectively underwrite our production of Antigone—a fearless, contemporary staging of one of the most enduring stories ever told, wrestling with the limits of power, one’s loyalty to family vs. loyalty to the state, and the role of women in society.
About Antigone
This bold new adaptation by local playwright Kate Besworth presents Sophocles’ classical Greek tragedy for a contemporary audience. Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, defies King Creon’s decree by burying her rebel brother in the aftermath of a civil war, setting off a chain of events that pits family loyalty against political authority—with devastating consequences.
Adapted by Kate Besworth
Directed by Ming Hudson
Female-forward in both writing and directing, the production explores themes of resistance, moral resolve, and generational reckoning. Though written thousands of years ago, Antigone speaks powerfully to the present moment—asking what happens when conscience collides with authority and what it costs to stand up for what is right, ultimately offering a story as relevant now as it was in ancient Greece.
Benefits
Please note that all dates are for the 2026 calendar year.
As a member of the Spotlight Circle, you are invited into the creative journey itself.
Your contribution of $1,000 includes behind-the-scenes experiences such as:
- Invitation to the First Rehearsal (May 7 at 11:30am)
Step inside the process from the very beginning and experience how a production takes shape, including a first peak at the set, costume, and sound designs. - Opening Night Access (July 9 at 7:30pm)
Join us for the official opening performance of Antigone. - Post-Show Celebration (July 9 ~10pm)
Celebrate alongside fellow Spotlight Circle members and artists at an exclusive gathering after the production on Opening Night
Additional perks include:
- Meet the Creative Team
Connect directly with the artists, directors, and designers behind the work. - A Community of Peers
Engage with a network of like-minded women across Vancouver through the Bard-hosted events. - Tax Receipt
A full charitable tax receipt issued for your contribution.
Contact
Join the Circle
The Spotlight Circle is an opportunity to be part of something both intimate and impactful: a shared investment in art, community, and the amplification of women’s voices.
We invite you to join us.
Annual Contribution: Please click on the link below and it will take you to our donation page where you make your annual contribution of $1,000 paid at once OR in monthly instalments of $84.
For more information, please contact Jillian Reynolds, Bard’s Individual Giving Manager, at [email protected] or 604-737-0625 ext. 2224.
Spotlight Circle Members
We are grateful to the following members for their leadership and support:
Erica Pretorius, Co-Chair
Camila Merlano Co-Chair
Jodi Evans
Theresa Azari
Lynda Farmer
Jean Weaver