The Carleton Coalition for a Sexual Assault Centre has found a new ally after five years of fighting for a place on campus.
The Classic Theatre Festival performed John Van Druten’s romantic comedy, “Bell, Book, and Candle” to raise funds and awareness for the coalition, July 27 at the Mason Theatre in Perth, Ont.
Julie Lalonde, coordinator of the coalition, said she founded the of the sexual assault support line.
Matthew Behrens, director of outreach for the theatre company, contacted her because Lalonde said he “was a big believer in our cause.”
The goal of the Classic Theatre Festival is to “always tell the stories of women and youth,” Behrens said.
The plot of the 1950s play, in which a witch is faced with the challenge of choosing between falling in love or keeping her powers, follows a consistent theme in women’s history — that they have to “give up their career and independence in a relationship,” Behrens said.
Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards the operating cost of the cell phone-based support line and Consent is Sexy Week, which includes workshops and speeches.
For Lalonde, it’s not just about the money, either. She said the coalition has received little help from Carleton’s administration. On the other hand, she said: “[The Classic Theatre Festival] gave us unanimous support . . . it’s been a real moral boost that people outside of Ottawa support our cause.”
Since the play is being staged in a small town, Lalonde said she was concerned they wouldn’t be able to sell any tickets.
To compensate, they introduced the “Save-a-Seat” program, which allows you to buy a ticket for someone in Perth who cannot afford to attend. These tickets are donated to the Lanark County Interval House, a community women’s shelter.
