Thousand Islands Playhouse facts for kids
The Springer Theatre
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| Location | Gananoque, Ontario, Canada |
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| Founded | 1982 |
| Founded by | Greg Wanless, Timm Hughes, Joan Gardiner, Mo Bock, Kathryn Mackay |
| Artistic director | Brett Christopher (Managing) |
| Festival date | May–November |
| Website | 1000islandsplayhouse.com |
The Thousand Islands Playhouse is a fun summer theatre company. It is located in Gananoque, a town in Ontario, Canada.
The Playhouse started in 1981. It was founded by Greg Wanless and some actors. These actors were also graduates from Queen's University. The group included Timm Hughes, Joan Gardiner, Mo Bock, and Kathryn Mackay. Greg Wanless and Kathryn Mackay retired at the end of 2012. Since 2016, Brett Christopher has been the Managing Artistic Director.
The Thousand Islands Playhouse uses two different theatres. One is the Springer Theatre, which used to be the Gananoque Canoe Club. It has 348 seats and is used for musicals and bigger plays. The other is the Firehall Theatre. This is a smaller "black-box" theatre with 140 seats. It is used for smaller, more experimental plays.
The Playhouse also has other programs. These include a Playwrights’ Unit. This unit helps new writers create plays. They also have a touring show by their Young Company. Plus, there is the Studio ‘S’ Classical Music Series. The company recently updated a new building for making their shows.
Contents
Playwrights’ Unit: Creating New Plays
The Playwrights’ Unit is a special program that lasts a year. It helps new writers who show a lot of promise. The writers chosen for this program create new plays. They think about the Playhouse audience and what works in the Springer and Firehall Theatres.
PlayReading Series: See New Works
Every December, the Playhouse holds workshops. These are part of the PlayReading series. During this series, the public can attend free readings of the new plays. This lets people hear the new works being developed.
Bed and Breakfast: A Play from the Unit
The play Bed and Breakfast was written in the 2014 Playwrights’ Unit. It was then performed in the company’s 2015 season. The story is about two men. They leave their busy city lives. They move to a small town in Ontario. They hope to make it their new home.
Young Company: Theatre for Kids
The Young Company starts its work in mid-April. They continue performing until the end of June. This group introduces children to the magic of theatre. They do this with a traveling show. Their shows include reading, singing, storytelling, and dance.
Bringing High-Calibre Acting to Eastern Ontario
The Young Company has been performing since 1997. They bring great acting to the Thousand Islands Playhouse. They perform their shows across Eastern Ontario. They visit schools, parks, libraries, and special events. The company hires young professional actors. They give them workshops and master classes. Many graduates from this program have gone on to successful acting careers.
Studio ‘S’ Music Series: Classical Concerts
Throughout the summer, on certain Monday evenings, the Playhouse presents the Studio ‘S’ series. This is a very popular program. It features intimate concerts and conversations. World-famous classical musicians perform. Eric Friesen hosts these events. Each season, four new performers are featured. They play in the cozy 348-seat Springer Theatre.
Production Facility: Where the Magic Happens
In May 2014, the Thousand Islands Playhouse started a big project. They began to renovate a large warehouse. This building is 10,395 square feet. It was turned into a top production facility for Eastern Ontario.
Space for Sets, Costumes, and Rehearsals
This new facility has lots of room. It allows the Playhouse to build and store many things. They can keep sets, costumes, and props there. It also has a space for actors to rehearse plays and musicals. The project was finished on March 31, 2015. It includes a special sprung floor. There are also soundproof rooms. Plus, it has rack systems for all the Playhouse’s props and costumes.
