Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto: Robin Hood is almost ready to close at The Cultch’s York Theatre. To celebrate their return as the Panto Partner this year, we asked The Discovery Group’s Director of Philanthropy, Allyson Haug, a few fun questions.

Q: What is it about seeing the Panto with your family that brings you the most joy?

Allyson: I think it says a lot about the East Van Panto that it has remained our family’s favourite; as the kids get older what they enjoy in the Panto changes – they start to get the political humour, they know more of the pop parodies and the jokes that went over their heads, land! I also love that even the musical-haters in our crew, come away singing!

Q: Any favourite moments from attending the East Van Panto over the years?

Allyson: One year, our daughter was chosen to sub in for a “sick performer’ during the performance. The production was The Wizard of Oz – she was 7 or 8yrs old and couldn’t believe her good fortune – someone was sick, and she was right there ready and able to jump in!

Q: What makes the East Van Panto experience unique?

Allyson: Theatre Replacement writes an incredible script that is so marvellously anchored in all things Vancouver. Yet, it is inclusive enough that those audience members from ‘away’ are still in on the jokes. There is nothing quite like it!

Q: Tell us a bit about The Discovery Group’s values, and why you decided to come back on board as Panto Partner this year?

Allyson: The Discovery Group is back as a Panto Partner because we value the arts and how they enrich our community. In these heady days, when we are all trying to make sense of the things in the world that really don’t make sense at all, there is comfort in knowing artists, performers, writers, and musicians are getting out of bed, getting down to work, producing something to elevate us, fill us with joy, suspend our disbelief and allow us to come together for a few hours at the York Theatre to laugh and sing.

Q: You mentioned The Discovery Group valuing the arts, can you tell us a bit more about the importance of building back the arts sector in Vancouver?

Allyson: The arts unite us. Engaging and participating in this sector gives us an opportunity to share emotions and to expand our notion of lived experiences. I read a New York Times opinion piece on the importance of arts and culture in community and it cited Ralph Waldo Emerson, noting that we consume culture to enlarge our hearts and minds. Big hearts and big minds are what we need now.

Q: Is there anything you’d like us to know about The Discovery Group’s long-standing partnership with The Cultch?

Allyson: Our values at The Discovery Group are: make it exceptional, lead with compassion, and always be learning. These same values are alive and evident at The Cultch, which makes donating to The Cultch an easy decision.

Q: Do you have any last words or wishes for our Cultch community?

Allyson: Giving is an act of love. The clue is in the word – philos is Greek for love and anthropos is Greek for humanity. A love of humanity. When philanthropy becomes an exchange or a transaction, it loses its powerful intention.

Donors ought to be filled with joy when they give.

It is not the size of the gift, it’s how meaningful it is.