by Shanna Wilson
For 15 years, Eva McKimm has been the first face people see at the Capitol Theatre. She says she has loved her time at the vibrant performance space.
“It’s a positive place to work. It’s a positive place to come,” she says.
McKimm has gotten to know many people in the community during her time working in the theatre’s box office and has been a kind presence to all that have passed through. She’s done a little bit of everything including managing shows, selling tickets, marketing and working with volunteers. The list goes on.
But this year, McKimm is going to pass the torch to someone else.
“You reach a point of saturation where, OK, it’s been 15 years, what else do I want to get up to?”
Her role in the 93-year-old theatre has given McKimm a chance to observe the takeoff and growth of many local performers. She says there’s nothing like the feeling of seeing local shows produced and launched in front of an audience.
She has enjoyed watching theatre kids grow up and see some continue to follow paths in theatre and production after leaving Nelson. McKimm thinks it is important that these kids were able to do theatre from a young age because it gives them time to figure out if this is something they want to be part of their lives.
“We’re like a little incubator for that world,” she says.
Capitol Theatre executive director Stephanie Fischer says McKimm contributed a positive energy and community engagement in her role.
“People didn’t even need to tell her their name,” says Fischer. “Like she would say, ‘Here is your ticket and you’re sitting in your usual spot and enjoy the show.’”
McKimm has had fun being in theatre productions herself. She has sung in the operas KHAOS and Jorinda as well as been part of Mamma Mia!, The Armed Man and Chess. “She was amazing in them,” says Fischer.
She’s also going to be part of an upcoming production of Little Shop of Horrors, and of course part of the audience for future shows.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she says.
McKimm plans to spend more time in her ceramics studio and see where that leads. She is going to keep her options open.
“I don’t really want to fill the space yet,” she says. “I kind of want to leave it empty.”