The Citadel Theatre is thrilled to partner with CIBC and the Kids Up Front Foundation (KUFF)
in a new initiative called CIBC Theatre for All

Through this initiative, corporate sponsors and/or ticket holders can donate theatre tickets to Kids Up Front, a registered charity that re-distributes tickets to agencies that work with disadvantaged and at-risk children.

The Kids Up Front Foundation was founded in 2000 and was based on a simple premise — to turn empty seats into an opportunity for kids and their families who couldn’t otherwise attend. Today, Kids Up Front in Edmonton partners with 102 agencies serving at-risk children with close to 27,000 tickets to plays, concerts, and sporting events donated each year.

CIBC Theatre for All was modeled after a similar program in Calgary in partnership with Alberta Theatre Projects and was launched in Edmonton at the Citadel Theatre for the 2007/08 Season. Logistically, donated tickets are held in a ticket bank or ticket pool at the Citadel, then Kids Up Front are notified of what tickets are available for which performances. By holding the tickets in a bank or pool, Kids Up Front and their client agencies get lots of lead-time to ensure all tickets are well utilized.

Through Kids Up Front, children and families who would normally not have the opportunity to experience the arts or sporting events now can. A ticket can be something easily taken for granted and even wasted, but to these children and their families receiving the gift of a ticket is a special thing. As Karla Schell, Executive Director of Kids Up Front Edmonton puts it, “Our partner [social service] agencies provide at-risk children basic living essentials — food, shelter, clothing. Kids Up Front complements their necessary support by creating access to worthwhile activities, like theatre, that nourish the children’s spirits. The CIBC Theatre for All program succeeds in contributing to the overall healthy development of the emotional well-being of these children.”

“This unique partnership aligns beautifully with CIBC’s community focus on helping young people reach their full potential,” says Pauline Hughes, Manager, CIBC Community Relations. “I see this partnership as an example of creative and collaborative thinking at its best, and I am proud of the role CIBC played in helping get this initiative off the ground in both Calgary and Edmonton.”

The impact has been incredibly positive. A young girl who attended Hana’s Suitcase, wrote to the program to express her gratitude for the tickets. She writes,

“Thank you for the tickets to Hana’s Suitcase. I am nine years old and I really liked the play. I learned many things about world history, and what we can do to have peace in our world today. My favorite parts of the play were when Hana’s drawings were found and when her brother was discovered to have lived through the holocaust. I also learned what could happen because of hatred and prejudice. Hopefully one day we will live in a world with no more war.”

If you have Citadel Theatre tickets that you are unable to use, they can be donated by contacting the Citadel Theatre Box Office at (780) 425-1820. If you would like to learn more about Kids Up Front, or if you have tickets for other events that you are unable to use, contact Kids Up Front in Edmonton at (780) 409-2632 or visit their website at www.kidsupfront.com.

Additional information on CIBC’s community investment can be found at www.CIBC.com.

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