As the son of Italian immigrants, our home was always full of people; family, friends, neighbours, and our kitchen table and its contents always the centerpiece of the show. From a young age I grew to understand that life is with people. YES Theatre has always been rooted in the idea that our access to community influences our quality of life. The Ref began as a response to the current global pandemic. There were moments early on when it felt like the theatre would never live again, that our stages would remain dark forever. We began to think of ways we could bring our community together. This space will be a communal dining hall for the heart and mind; a place to edify, inspire, and bring people together. The theatre, for me, has always resembled my kitchen table. And now YES Theatre will have its own big, gorgeous table. I can’t wait for us to be together at the Refettorio, drinking the stories of the world and eating the music of life.
With love,
Alessandro Costantini
Artistic and Managing Director, YES Theatre
BECAUSE LIFE IS WITH PEOPLE
This project began as a response to the current global pandemic. There were moments early on when it felt like the theatre would never live again, but it is a resilient thing, the theatre. Help bring this $2.8 million project to life.
WHAT IS THE REFETTORIO?
The YES Theatre Refettorio will be an artistic Neverland intended to strengthen our sense of community and connection through arts and culture. The word “Refettorio” comes from the latin word REFICERE, meaning to “remake and restore”. We will work with local organizations, producers, artists, architects, and community leaders to restore and renovate this underused space, transforming it into a state of the art outdoor theatre. This 175 seat space will be used as a key venue for the YES Theatre Summer Festival and with the introduction of the Refettorio we are creating a world class arts and culture district in the heart of downtown Sudbury; utilizing the STC, Place Des Arts and the Refettorio to create Canada’s largest musical theatre festival.
Design Consultation by Triga Creative, Renderings by Alexandra Lord
Design Consultation by Triga Creative, Renderings by Alexandra Lord
Design Consultation by Triga Creative, Renderings by Alexandra Lord
Cultural Growth
This new infrastructure will support and develop new work, new ideas, and innovative arts based practices. The Refetorio will be a financially accessible space that can be utilized by upwards of 4 different artistic events each day. This space will also continue to allow YES Theatre to produce unique, world class artistic works utilizing local Citizen Artists.
Economic Growth
The vital energy created at the outdoor venue will become an economic engine for the entire downtown core. Bringing upwards of 700 patrons to the area daily will ensure a major boost to foot traffic to the downtown, creating a supportive ecosystem branching between all downtown business: local restaurants, shops, and theatres alike.
Community Growth
Integral to a vibrant artistic ecology is the widespread collaboration between artists, and organizations in the community. The Ref will be an inspiring community hub that will forge new artistic bonds and strengthen old ones, fostering a theatrical community for artists and patrons alike. This will be a haven for all Citizen Artists; those who live, work and play in our community.
THE REFETTORIO IMPACT
It will take $2.8 Million to build the Refettorio, but it's impact will be greater
Annual Increase in Downtown Visitation
21,375
Annual Economic Impact from Tourism
$1,184,061
Annual Artist Engagement
140+
Annual number of artistic offerings
200+
BUILDING THE REFETTORIO
BECAUSE LIFE IS WITH PEOPLE
This project began as a response to the current global pandemic. There were moments early on when it felt like the theatre would never live again, but it is a resilient thing, the theatre.
Your donation support the development of the Refettorio, the beginning of an inspiring community hub that will forge new artistic bonds and strengthen old ones. Donate online through Canada Helps and help us build the Refettorio.
Once we made the choice to produce our plays not to recoup our investment but to recoup some corner of the universe for our understanding and enlargement, we entered into the same world as the sacred spaces, the university, the library, the museum, and became, like them, an instrument of civilization.
– Zelda Fichandler
IN THE NEWS
Sudbury's YES Theatre hopes to build new outdoor venue
CBC News · Oct 18, 2021
There could be a new outdoor theatre venue in downtown Sudbury, as early as next August. YES Theatre hopes to get shovels in the ground this spring, for an outdoor theatre spaced called "The Refettorio."
Sudbury's YES Theatre unveils plans for Refettorio
Timmins Press · Oct 13, 2021
Alessandro Costantini, artistic and managing director, said YES Theatre is looking forward to moving forward full-throttle with the Refettorio, a performance and community space located downtown in...
Outdoor theatre slated to open in downtown Sudbury next year
Sudbury.com · Oct 14, 2021
YES Theatre presented their plan for The Refettorio — an outdoor theatre they’re planning to open in downtown Sudbury next year — to a receptive city council during Tuesday’s meeting...