The Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre...
Amidst a pine and tamarack forest, The Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre, opened it's doors September 2007, in the newest cultural jewel in Muskoka landscape.  As part of the new 200,000 square foot Bracebridge Recreation Centre and Secondary School complex, this elegant 300 seat theatre fulfills a long-standing need for a performing arts facility in Bracebridge, ON. 

Built to professional standards, The Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre is fully accessible, air conditioned and features a balcony with two boxes and a rich decor inspired by the Group of Seven.

The BAC...
The Bracebridge Arts Council was founded in 1988 to promote the Arts in the Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Area. At that time the BAC served as an umbrella organization and held many events to showcase artists of all kinds. In 1990 the BAC became an Ontario Corporation whose mission statement is to promote stimulate and enhance the enjoyment and understanding of the arts as well as to encourage the pursuit of excellence in performance, craftmanship and design. With the building of The Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre, we will be able to realize these goals for our future students as well as develop a new and innovative curriculum. The Rene M Caisse Memorial Theatre will give the Bracebridge Arts Council an opportunity to make a difference in our community.  For more information and/or to support the capital campaign, please contact Tara Bartok, Marketing and Box Office Manager.

The Architects...
The theatre was designed by the award-winning architectural firm Carruthers Shaw and Partners, Allen & Sherriff Architects.  It features 300 seats, including a balcony and two loges (boxes) and features the most up-to-date sound and lighting equipment.

Who is Rene M. Caisse Anyways???
Believe it or not the name is pronounced as 'REEN M. CASE'.  Rene M. Caisse was born in Bracebridge, ON on August 11th, 1888.  She was baptized as Mary Anna but throughout her life she would be best known as Rene M. Caisse.  Her lifetime ambition was to become a nurse and ease the suffering of humanity.  To achieve her goal she left Bracebridge at age 21 and studied nursing in Connecticut, returning to Bracebridge in 1910 as a graduate nurse.  In the 1920's Rene developed a cancer treatment, based on an Indian herbal remedy, which she name Essiac (her last name spelled backwards).  For many years she treated men and women from Muskoka and abroad, all of whom had been diagnosed as having cancer.  Relying only on donations for her services.  In her 90th year, Rene provided her carefully guarded list of ingredients in a sealed envelope for safekeeping to Lieutenant-Governor Pauline M. McGibbon in 1977.  Essiac Canada International now manufacture Essiac and distribute it world-wide.  Rene died on December 26th, 1978.  The Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre and a cabinet displaying a collection of artifacts are testimonials of her determined efforts to cure cancer.