Shakespeare by the Sea, Halifax facts for kids
The Shakespeare by the Sea drama group performing The Comedy of Errors in Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 1996.
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| Formation | 1994 |
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| Type | Theatre group |
| Purpose | Outdoor theatre |
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Artistic director(s)
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Notable members
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Shakespeare by the Sea is a professional theater group in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They are known for performing plays by the famous writer William Shakespeare. This group also helps the community as a registered charitable society.
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Discovering Shakespeare by the Sea
Shakespeare by the Sea started in 1994. They are experts at performing plays by William Shakespeare. They perform outdoors in a special open-air theater. This theater is made from the old ruins of the Cambridge Battery, a military fort in Point Pleasant Park. Sometimes they perform in other cool places too.
The group gets some money from the government and businesses. But most of their money, about 70%, comes from people who donate to them. This support helps them keep putting on amazing shows.
The Studio: Learning Theater
They also have a theater school called The Studio at Shakespeare by the Sea. Here, young people can learn about acting in Shakespeare plays and musical theater. It's a great place to develop acting skills.
Who Started It All?
The company was started by Patrick Christopher-Carter, Elizabeth Murphy, and Jean Morpurgo. Since 1994, they have performed every summer in Point Pleasant Park. They usually put on three to four plays each season.
Family Shows and Fun
In 1999, Shakespeare by the Sea added a "family" show to their summer lineup. These shows are based on classic fairy tales or legends. The actors and director work together to create the script. These shows often include music written by a composer.
From 1999 to 2004, the family shows were famous for using only colorful Styrofoam pool noodles as props and set pieces. Imagine a whole play made with just pool noodles!
In 2005, they changed things up. The family show became a musical called The Adventures of Robin Hood. Jesse MacLean directed it, and Jeremy Hutton wrote the music. This musical was so popular that it was performed again in 2011. It even had a new version called "Robin Hood: The Legendary Musical Comedy" in Toronto in 2013.
Special Performances and Changes
In 2005, a very special performance of The Midnight Twelfth Night happened on Canada Day. It started at midnight and ended with the marriage of the founders, Patrick Christopher-Carter and Elizabeth Murphy. Later that year, Patrick Christopher-Carter passed away.
In 2006, Elizabeth Murphy and Jennie Raymond worked together as co-artistic directors. Then, in 2007, Elizabeth Murphy became the main Artistic Director.
Sometimes, the company performs plays in different historic places around Halifax. They have performed Hamlet at the Prince of Wales Martello Tower and Richard III at the Halifax Citadel. They have also performed Henry V and King Lear at the Halifax Citadel. These special shows make history come alive!
The Park Place Theatre
Elizabeth Murphy also helped create The Park Place Theatre. This is an indoor theater with 82 seats. It's used when the weather is bad during summer performances. This theater also lets the company put on shows in the spring and fall. Other small theater groups in Nova Scotia use it too.
New Leadership and Awards
In 2012, Jesse MacLean joined Elizabeth Murphy as a Co-Artistic Director. Jesse MacLean has directed many plays for the company since 2003.
The year 2013 was their 20th season! That year, 13,000 people watched their 68 performances in Point Pleasant Park. It was one of their most successful seasons ever. In 2013, Shakespeare by the Sea also won the Theatre Nova Scotia Robert Merritt Legacy Award.
In 2019, The Studio at Shakespeare by the Sea officially launched its theater school programs. Jade Douris O'Hara became the first Resident Artist and Studio Director. Drew Douris-O'Hara also joined the team as Artistic Associate and later as Associate Artistic Director.
Past Productions
Here are some of the plays Shakespeare by the Sea has performed over the years.
1994–1999 Productions
| Year | Productions |
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| 1994 | Twelfth Night |
| 1995 | A Midsummer Night's Dream |
| 1996 |
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| 1997 |
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| 1998 |
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| 1999 |
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2000–2009 Productions
| Year | Productions |
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| 2000 |
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| 2001 | Twelfth Night |
| 2002 |
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| 2003 |
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| 2004 |
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| 2005 |
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| 2006 |
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| 2007 |
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| 2008 |
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| 2009 |
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2010–Present Productions
| Year | Productions | |
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| 2010 |
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| 2011 |
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| 2012 |
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| 2013 |
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| 2014 |
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| 2015 |
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| 2016 |
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| 2017 |
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| 2018 |
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| 2019 | The Wizard of Oz
Henry V Love's Labour's Lost |
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| 2020 | Flagship Season cancelled due to COVID-19.
Introduction of the By the Sea series:Hello City ImprovHalifax Fringe Festival |
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| 2021 | A Midsummer Night's Dream (dir. Drew Douris-O'Hara)
By the Sea Series featuring Hello City Improv, Adventures by Gillian Clark presented by Keep Good Theatre Company, Halifax Fringe Festival, A Tale on Two Wheels presented by Gale Force Theatre |
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| 2022 | Cinderelly (dir. Jesse MacLean)
Hamlet (dir. Drew Douris-O'Hara) By the Sea Series featuring Hello City Improv and Halifax Fringe Festival |
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| 2023 | Pinocchio (dir. Jesse MacLean)
Romeo and Juliet (dir. Drew Douris-O'Hara) |
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| 2024 | Alice in Wonderland (dir. Jesse MacLean)
Twelfth Night (dir. Drew Douris-O'Hara) The Unrehearsed Macbeth on Sept 1, 2024 |
See also
- Culture of Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Shakespeare by the Sea (Australia)
