Estate gift to The Estelle Craig ACT II STUDIO ensures the curtain continues to rise at TMU

Richard Carter’s life has been defined by the magic of theatre — in management, backstage, directing, and now through a powerful legacy gift that ensures the spotlight continues to shine on The Estelle Craig ACT II STUDIO at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).

Carter and his late wife, Sandra, devoted decades to the performing arts and to the unique, inclusive programming offered by the ACT II STUDIO. Through a planned gift, arranged in his will, Carter will help to secure the financial foundation for the studio’s future, ensuring older adults can continue to discover their voice and express themselves on stage.

The Estelle Craig ACT II STUDIO, part of TMU’s Programs for 50+, offers an inclusive, nurturing environment for adults aged 50-plus to develop skills in the dramatic arts, honing their talents in acting, directing, playwriting or storytelling.

“We are so grateful to Richard Carter for his generosity, and it has been a joy working with him,” said Clara McBride, Manager, 50+ Programs at The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at TMU. “He and Sandra are forever a part of the fabric of our success.”

A life in lights

“My life with ACT II STUDIO goes back to my wife, Sandra Carter, who was there from the beginning,” Carter recalled. “I had a background in theatre — lighting, staging and that sort of thing — and Sandra volunteered me to come over and help with a play titled ‘Black, White and Yiddish.’ I enjoyed myself and became a part of the ACT II STUDIO team.”

This involvement was a natural fit for Carter, who studied theatre at the University of Minnesota and began working on plays at age 14, learning to build sets and work the lights. His career transitioned from set design and stage management — working with notable figures like legendary Broadway star Mary Martin — to theatre management, taking him from the Orpheum Theater to managing concerts with the Minnesota Orchestra. In the mid-1980s, he and Sandra  settled in Toronto, when he took on the role of managing ticketing at Roy Thompson Hall and Massey Hall. Shortly after, the Carters joined ACT II.

At ACT II STUDIO, Carter focused on directing and management workshops, while Sandra — a medical technologist and educator — became a director and cast member. “Funny thing is, my wife, she went into directing and acting, and she never let me direct her,” Carter said, joking that it was for the best that he didn’t have to critique her on stage.

“Richard often came in as a guest instructor for the stage lighting design and technique component of our Intro to Directing classes,” said McBride. “He also directed several new plays for our program in innovative ways, drawing on his affinity for powerful visual tableaux and effects. During the pandemic, he was instrumental in keeping our productions going by developing Zoom Vignettes for Moving Scenes, our theatre touring company.”

Securing an encore

Carter sees theatre as an essential tool for human connection and enrichment. He stresses the critical, life-affirming work the studio undertakes, putting on plays to help people with Alzheimer’s and cancer — and their families — cope and understand each other during difficult times. His bequest to TMU ensures that this important work continues, funding productions, training and the general operations that will keep the curtain raised. His gift will help sustain and expand the studio’s reach and collaborations.

For Carter, the greatest reward of planned giving is knowing that the contribution will make a tangible and lasting difference. His advice to others considering a legacy gift is simple: ensure your contributions are used effectively. By choosing to support The Estelle Craig ACT II STUDIO, Carter is ensuring that this vibrant creative community, a source of joy and expression for students aged 50-plus, will continue to thrive for years to come.