 We hope you are all safe and adjusting to the new realities of life in a global pandemic world. At Theatre on the Ridge, we have been adjusting too and are excited to let you know that, although we won’t be live onstage this summer, we are still committed to bringing captivating theatre experiences to our audiences and communities. Here are just a few programs we’re rolling out in June. Watch for more to come and stay with us as we keep working to bring more performance based events to you as well! Looking for a way to help us make all this happen? All of our program offerings this summer are available free of charge, but we're encouraging you to consider a donation to support keeping the doors open and the programs coming. Click here and learn how your donation of any amount in June could help us win a $20,000 donation through CanadaHelps in the Great Canadian Giving Challenge! Big Theatre/Small Towns Join us on Wednesdays in June, as we launch our very own podcast series! Hosts Graeme Powell and Amanda Jane Smith, and guests from all walks of the theatre community explore the connection of big theatre ideas growing in small towns and vice versa. For details and podcast schedule click here! After listening to any of our "ridgecasts" please consider making a donation to Theatre on the Ridge, especially in June. Why? Read about the Great Canadian Giving Challenge here. Follow Spot/Single Spot Coaching Sessions Are you considering a career in the arts or plan on pursuing theatre as a profession? Or maybe you know someone who is? Or just curious about how to get on stage in a local production? We may be unable to run our regular Pre Professional Performance and Apprenticeship programs this summer, but Theatre on the Ridge is still dedicated to fostering performing arts in Durham Region and is excited to announce Follow Spot and Single Spot Coaching Sessions. Follow Spot is a one on one, social distance correct, online coaching program that pairs youth (aged 16-21) interested in a performing arts career and Single Spot connects new & curious theatre lovers of all ages with one of our mentors for a single private Q & A session to get them on the way to taking the first step on stage. Learn more details and register here. Cut & Paste Theatre Creation/Scrapbook Stories Yes you can make theatre! We’re taking a classic theatre training and composition exercise and switching it up as an easy self expression scavenger hunt for literary enthusiasts and closet thespians of all ages. Known in conservatory programs as a vocal masque, this is “cut and paste” theatre creation at its best! We give you the tools, and you pick the theme, gather the materials and do the assembly to make an original piece of theatre. We even have a junior version, Scrapbook Stories for families and younger creatives! Intrigued? Learn more here about this unique approach to theatre creation here! DIY Theatre Workshops Have you ever wanted to get backstage or behind the scenes to try your hand at props making, scenic painting or costumes? What about lighting or sound design? This year we can’t bring you to the theatre, but we can bring the theatre to you…sort of! Welcome to DIY Theatre Workshops, a general interest production skills video series designed for budding stuck at home theatremakers. These short, learning sessions are fun, informative and hands on. In DIY Theatre you’ll be introduced to basic production skills and create and build simple projects with materials you likely already have in your own home. We’ll start with basic set design and keep going until the “stage” is ready. This is a great free creative learning experience for pretty well any age and for parents to explore with children. Learn more here!
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 The organizers of Giving Tuesday, usually held each year in the first week of December, have recognized the great need for support for charities at this time and have created Giving Tuesday Now on May 5th to cope with the dramatic challenges now being faced by not for profits across the country. At Theatre on the Ridge, we are very appreciative of the many gestures of support already made and can assure our patrons and friends, with your continuing support, that every donation, large or small, does make a difference. Our primary goal right now is to keep the doors open and cover our monthly operating costs. Modest as they are, it’s not easy when we have lost all projected earned revenues for the forseeable future. That’s where Giving Tuesday Now comes in! And this IS the easy part. We don’t need heroes or extraordinary measures. Just ordinary theatre lovers and Theatre on the Ridge patrons doing what they do in normal times – purchasing tickets to our plays. On May 5th, the simple act of redirecting your intended Festival 2020 ticket purchases into a donation will go along way to getting us through this year. At the same time, why not tell us which show from our not-to-be Festival 2020 season you will miss the most! Cottagers & Indians, Cyrano de Bergerac, God of Carnage or Innocence Lost: A Play About Steven Truscott? We’re challenging our audiences to let us know on May 5th! Mention the name of your most anticipated production in the comments section of our donation form and let’s see which production receives the most donations! We’ll announce the winner at the end of the day and as an added bonus – you’ll help ensure that our Festival 2020 productions will return, as all funds raised will be directed to the production you supported through your generosity! With your help on Giving Tuesday Now, May 5th we can keep our doors open, create programming to see us through social distancing, and continue to enrich lives through captivating theatre. Thanks so much for staying with us!  It’s been an extraordinary time for all of us. There have been so many changes in such a short period and we are all travelling unknown roads.
For Theatre on the Ridge, the change was immediate and dramatic. Almost overnight, we lost all our spring events and ultimately we have lost entire our Festival 2020 summer season. The summer season is the annual artistic and financial cornerstone of our company and our single largest source of earned revenues each year. As a not for profit charity, Theatre on the Ridge faces the devastating impact that this loss of revenues will have on our ability to operate for the remainder of this year and we will feel these effects well into 2021. With no ability to earn revenues through live theatre presentation and no clear timeline on when it will be safe to gather together in theatre spaces again, it is very hard to predict the future for Theatre on the Ridge. Live theatre exists in the spaces where we gather - where we come together to share an experience and journey collectively into the worlds created by playwrights, actors and theatre artists. We return safely from those worlds with souvenirs to continue sharing with ourselves, and our fellow travellers, long after the actual event. We cannot make live theatre at this time. We can only keep the ghostlight on and try to keep the engine running until we can return to our stages and performance spaces to greet our audiences and travelmates once more for new destinations. In support of the work of charities in these uncertain and everchanging times, Giving Tuesday is now taking place in one week’s time. Over the next week we will share some of our past journeys and memories on Facebook as a reminder of the unique contribution we have made to our arts and larger communities. Share them with us and then, please consider making a donation in support of Theatre on the Ridge on Tuesday, May 5th to help ensure that we will journey together again.  Theatre on the Ridge announces the postponement of Festival 2020 productions as originally scheduled, with revised online programming being planned due to Covid 19.
In the interest of public health and the safety of our patrons, artists, and production personnel, and in accordance with current emergency and public health restrictions regarding Covid 19, Theatre on the Ridge has made the difficult decision to put its Festival 2020 season on hold. The four productions announced for the festival, now in its 6th year, will no longer run as scheduled. The productions are Cottagers and Indians by Drew Hayden Taylor, Cyrano de Bergerac adapted from the original play by Edmond Rostad, God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza, and Innocence Lost: A Play About Steven Truscott by Beverley Cooper. At this time, the productions have only been postponed, not cancelled; however, no revised dates have been set. Patrons who have purchased a Patron’s Pass will be contacted directly in the near future with more information and details on their options. In spite of the devastating blow to the company’s summer plans, Theatre on the Ridge will not be dark, but will continue to reach its audiences and supporters online with glimpses into creative processes, performances through the digital revival of the radio play format and interactive learning experiences for all ages. One upcoming project will involve the engagement of the larger community to collectively share and document the experiences of this unprecedented time. Details of this revised season of summer “productions” and programs will be announced over the next several weeks. To learn more details about the changes to the summer season, follow Theatre on the Ridge on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or visit us here.  To our Patrons, Artists, Supporters and all members of the Theatre on the Ridge community,
As the situation around the Coronavirus (COVID-19) evolves rapidly, the response from Theatre on the Ridge at this time is to monitor and stay up to date with guidelines, recommendations and requirements of the federal, provincial and municipal governments and health authorities. We will assess and act on the situation as it evolves and the health and well-being of our communities, audiences, artists, staff and volunteers is of the highest priority. With these parameters in mind, we have made the difficult decision to cancel our participation in small town BIG: Scugog Arts Festival, scheduled for May 1 – 10. Even if public space and movement restrictions are lifted by that date, and the festival is able to proceed, the nature of our offerings is such, we are unable to rehearse or prepare for any of our 3 events at this time. Please note that, while our small town BIG dates are cancelled, the programs themselves (Stag and Doe, Monsters & Milfoil, and T’eatre, Tea and Treats) are only postponed and we plan to present them at a later date, yet to be determined. At this point we are also monitoring the longer term impact of Covid 19 on our Festival 2020 season. We are still hopeful that summer theatre will take place but, as we are all becoming increasingly aware, the status quo changes quickly almost daily, and we anticipate that some programming modifications may occur. We will keep all our community, particularly our patrons and artists, informed as promptly as possible of any significant changes to our summer plans. This is a difficult time for all of us, as individuals and for Theatre on the Ridge, with the arts being one of the sectors affected most immediately and profoundly by the current health crisis. The cancellation of our small town BIG events will have a decidedly negative impact on essential revenue generation needed to support our theatre work and community engagement. Thank you for your past support and I encourage you to continue and possibly even increase your commitment, not only to Theatre on the Ridge but to any arts organization in need. Donations of any size are extremely welcome at this time and can be made through CanadaHelps here. In theatre, and in life, action happens when ordinary people are thrown into extraordinary situations. In theatre, the outcome is either farce or transformation. In the real life drama that is now playing out globally, we are hoping for transformation. Best wishes, stay safe and be well.  Scugog has a new arts and culture event happening this spring from May 1st to May 10th. The Scugog Council for the Arts is launching the first Small Town BIG: Scugog Arts Festival and Theatre on the Ridge will be there with 3 exciting events to entertain theatre lovers of all ages.
Opening at the Prince Albert Community Hall on May 2nd is Stag and Doe, an exuberant comedy by Mark Crawford, featuring company members Demi-Lee Bainbridge, Duncan Gibson-Lockhart, Frances Loiselle, Lexi MacRae, Daniel McCormack and Michael Williamson. With Stag and Doe, Theatre on the Ridge shares a laugh-filled look at the well known and distinctly rural Canadian prenuptial tradition staged in Scugog’s very own Prince Albert Community Hall and shines a light on the nature of love, marriage, and weddings. This ticketed production will run for 5 performances only on May 2, 7, 8 at 7:30 pm and May 9 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. Purchase tickets for Stag and Doe here! On Tuesday May 5th, Monsters and Milfoil: A Tale of Lake Scugog returns with 2 performances (11 am & 1:30 pm) at Town Hall Theatre. Monsters & Milfoil will entertain pre-school to primary/junior elementary age youngsters and share the history and importance of Lake Scugog through interactive fun and song. First presented in 2018, this original production was made possible with the support of the Scugog Council for the Arts in partnership with the Scugog Lake Stewards. Monsters and Milfoil is being presented free of charge during Small Town BIG through the generosity of Vos’ Independent Grocers. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to show time. More details here! Looking for the perfect Mother's Day outing? Make plans to include T'eatre, Tea and Treats: Costume Show and High Tea on May 10th, 2 pm at Utica Memory Hall. Enjoy an exclusive viewing of select costumes from the collection of Theatre on the Ridge, while enjoying scones, tea, entertaining commentary and door prizes, which include tickets to Festival 2020 productions. All ticket revenues and proceeds will support the programs of Theatre on the Ridge. Purchase T'eatre, Tea and Treats tickets here! Full details and events listings for Small Town BIG can be found at https://scugogarts.ca/small-town-big/  Call for Musical Director: Rainbow Valley
performances late October 2020 Production: Rainbow Valley, book and lyrics adapted by Hank Stinson from the novel by L.M. Montgomery, music by Dean Burry, additional music by Hank Stinson Director: Carey Nicholson Production Dates: late October – early November 2020 Rehearsal Dates: late summer through October 2020 Casting & Pre Production: late spring 2020 Theatre on the Ridge seeks a musical director for Rainbow Valley, a musical adaptation of the novel of the same name by Lucy Maud Montgomery. This is a non-union, community production with a cast of approximately 15 – 20 youth (over 10 years of age) and adults. Rehearsals and performances will be held in Leaksdale, approximately 15 minutes north of Uxbridge. Honorarium available. Rainbow Valley is a co-production between Theatre on the Ridge and the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Uxbridge. Please forward inquiries, request for script/score perusal, submissions and resumes to info@theatre3x60.ca. Submissions will be accepted until March 15th, 2020.  Only 24 hours left to purchase your Pre-Season Pass for Festival 2020 - it's our best package ever! Unlimited access to all 4 of our exciting summer productions for only $125!* Get the details and your pass here! * some conditions apply. CANCELLED - Friday, February 28th at 7 pm Mary’s Wedding by Stephen Massicotte returns with an enhanced staged reading at the Scugog Memorial Public Library We regret the cancellation of this special presentation and are working to bring Duncan Gibson-Lockhart and Manon Ens-Lapointe back at a later date. Stay tuned! NEW DATE!
Theatre on the Ridge Festival 2020 Pre-Season Preview and Volunteer Open House Monday, March 9, 7 – 8:30 pm Scugog Council for the Arts 181 Perry St. Port Perry Please RSVP by Friday, March 6 Join us for the evening and receive a complimentary ticket voucher! Full details here! Theatre on the Ridge 2020 Pre-Season Preview
and Volunteer Open House Monday, February 24, 7 – 8:30 pm Scugog Council for the Arts 181 Perry St. Port Perry Join us for the evening and receive a complimentary ticket voucher! RSVP by Friday, February 21 Spring and summer are just around the corner and we are deep into pre-production for our upcoming theatre festival and events for 2020. Join us on February 24th to hear what we’ve got planned for the year and how you can be a part of it as a volunteer. Theatre on the Ridge offers many of the most exciting cultural events in Scugog and we are actively seeking volunteers and summer production personnel to be part of our 2020 team. The evening gets started with a sneak peek of our season with Theatre on the Ridge artistic director Carey Nicholson, including script excerpts and videos, and the announcement of some of our other exciting 2020 theatre events. Afterwards, take part in an informal conversation on what’s involved in getting in on the action and how, together, we can make this season our most successful to date. Getting involved with Theatre on the Ridge is a perfect way to meet new people, expand your knowledge of theatre and local culture, and share your own skills and expertise while supporting Durham region’s only not for profit professional repertory theatre company. Join us on February 24th to find out what we are all about. Whether for a one time project, or only a few hours a month or a week, we welcome youth and adult volunteers in all areas of operation and production such as event planning, front of house, media and communications, promotion, technical and production support and scenic decoration. As a thank you for your interest and attendance, you will receive a complimentary ticket voucher to Festival 2020. The 2020 Volunteer Open House will be held at the Scugog Council for the Arts from 7 – 8:30 pm, Monday, February 24th. Refreshments will be provided. To RSVP by Friday, February 21, please contact us at info@theatre3x60.ca.  February is the month for love and great love stories!
On Friday, February 28th, Theatre on the Ridge is pleased to bring back Mary’s Wedding, by Stephen Massicotte, for a special one night enhanced staged reading at the Scugog Memorial Public Library. Through vivid and poetic language, Mary’s Wedding tells the poignant story of Mary and Charlie, who discover a charming first love, filled with innocence and humour, but the year is 1914 and the world is collapsing into a brutal war. Returning to read in this special presentation, are Duncan Gibson-Lockhart and Manon Ens-Lapointe, the original cast members of Theatre on the Ridge’s 2017 powerful production of this popular Canadian play. Proceeds from the evening will support the Theatre on the Ridge Festival 2020 summer theatre season. The performance takes place at 7 pm in the Rotary Community Room of the Scugog Memorial Public Library at 231 Water St., Port Perry. Doors will open at 6:30 pm. Preferred advanced seating is available online for $25/ticket, but tickets will also be sold at the door for $20, subject to availability. Purchase advanced seats online here. Photo of Duncan Gibson-Lockhart & Manon Ens-Lapointe by Hark Nijjar  The final countdown to Christmas is on and if you are still searching for the perfect gift for the theatre lovers in your life, check out these great ideas!
It’s the TOTR Holiday Online Auction! Get your bid in now… auction closes December 20, 2019 Looking for a unique theatre themed gift this holiday season? We’ve gathered together 5 great gift ideas and experiences that will please any theatre lover or that person who has everything! Item # 1 – Gift Set of Festival Ornaments Deck the halls with a full set of 9 tree ornaments created from costumes from past productions. Item # 2 – Star for a Night Join the cast of Cyrano de Bergerac this summer and perform onstage with our company for one performance! Item # 3 – Smile For the Camera Capture memories, update your headshot, or document a special occasion or event with this special photo session package with Barry McCluskey, theatre artist and official photographer of Festival 2019. Item # 4 – Let Us Entertain You Let us bring the theatre to you with a private “salon” performance in your home or for your organization. Perfect for dinner parties or barbecues, or as entertainment for a larger social or corporate event. Item # 5 – Buy the Balcony Enjoy the best 25 seats in the house & refreshments for one Festival 2020 performance at Town Hall Theatre! Simply click here for all the details on our auction items! Follow the email links provided to register your bid. Let us know which item you are bidding on and what your bid is. We will update the bids daily until bidding closes at 11:59 pm, December 20, 2019. If your bid is successful, we will contact you on December 21. Payment can be made by VISA/MC, cheque or cash. If your bid is intended as a gift, we will send you a gift certificate by email issued in the recipient’s name. All proceeds to support the programs and productions of Theatre on the Ridge. And our 2020 Patron’s Pass is now on sale and available for a limited time only! Our popular pre-season gift certificate returns with even greater benefits as our Patron’s Pass! See all 4 Festival 2020 productions for only $125! July 8 – August 15, 2020 Cottagers and Indians by Drew Hayden Taylor Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza Innocence Lost: A Play About Steven Truscott by Beverley Cooper That’s a 20% savings on our 2020 individual adult ticket. And we’ve heard from many patrons that they would love to attend some shows not just once, but twice and even three times, so this year, gift certificate holders have unlimited access to the season to come as often as they want. Click here here for details on benefits and conditions and to purchase!  Four Fabulous Productions for Festival 2020!
Cottagers and Indians by Drew Hayden Taylor Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza Innocence Lost: A Play About Steven Truscott by Beverley Cooper There may be fewer shows on this season’s roster but just as much great entertainment! Festival 2020 still presents outstanding emerging and local talent in a captivating mix of the thought provoking, classic and entertaining plays that Theatre on the Ridge is becoming known for. We launch our season with Drew Hayden Taylor’s comedy Cottagers and Indians, which explores the politics and issues surrounding a real-life event still occurring in the Kawartha Lakes region of Ontario. Cottagers and Indians is a powerful mix of comedy and commentary about contemporary confrontations between environmentalism and consumerism, Indigenous and non-Indigenous sensibilities and is being presented with the generous support of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. Next up is the swashbuckling romantic adventure of Cyrano de Bergerac, featuring an ensemble of Theatre on the Ridge summer company favorites. Reimagined in a contemporary urban setting, this all ages story remains as popular and timeless today as when it was first performed in 1897. Our third production is a remount of the contemporary biting comedy, God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza, first staged by Theatre on the Ridge in 2015. In this tour de force for 4 actors, the veneer of civilized adulthood is tested when two sets of parents try to resolve a playground incident between their children, with disastrous and comic results. Our 2020 production features most of our original cast and is definitely worth a second look. The season closes with Innocence Lost: A Play About Steven Truscott by Beverley Cooper. This play premiered in 2008 at the Blyth Festival and is a perceptive examination of community and how good people make bad choices, through the true Canadian story where a 14 year old boy is wrongfully convicted of the rape and murder of a 12 year girl in a small Ontario town. Attending summer theatre with Theatre on the Ridge is even easier this year! The 2020 Patron’s Pass Available for a limited time only! Our popular pre-season gift certificate returns with even greater benefits as our Patron’s Pass! See all 4 Festival 2020 productions for only $125! That’s a 20% savings on our 2020 individual adult ticket. And we’ve heard from many patrons that they would love to attend some shows not just once, but twice and even three times, so this year, gift certificate holders have unlimited access to the season to come as often as they want (some limitations apply). Purchase your Patron’s Pass here! More Performances and More Matinees By popular demand, we are scheduling more performances and adding more matinee options, including Sundays. We are also moving our evening curtain time to 8 pm to give you more time for travel and dinner! Age 25 and Under Can Attend Free* We want to encourage the next generation of theatre supporters and this season, all patrons ages 25 and under can attend one performance of each production for free, making it easier for students and families to attend. * Individual seat sales only. Please contact us for information on special youth group packages. We Welcome Groups! Groups are always welcome and will save when 10 or more seats are purchased for only $30/ticket for a single performance.  Giving Tuesday is a global movement dedicated to giving back, and a great day to help Theatre on the Ridge enrich lives through captivating theatre in 2020 by making a donation!
Supporting Theatre on the Ridge is an opportunity to have an impact on emerging artists and theatre practitioners, playwrights, and the community. Our goal this Giving Tuesday is $2,020.00 for 2020! From $20.20 to $2,020.00, your donation today, large or small will make a difference and today only! Every donation of $25 or more will generate an additional $5 from CanadaHelps! Please donate now at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/theatre-3x60/  Mark your calendar!
It’s Giving Tuesday on December 3rd and we’re aiming for $2,020.00 for 2020! Help us to our goal and make an impact on our next season of captivating live theatre. From $20.20 to $202.00, your donation through CanadaHelps, large or small will make a difference! One day only and less than 20 minutes of your time will make an impact on the opportunities, skills and possibilities we provide on and offstage to emerging artists, theatre practitioners, playwrights, our audiences and the community. Since 2014, we are proud to have supported the work of The Scugog Historial Society, Scugog Council for the Arts, The Scugog Lake Stewards, The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, Ontario Black History Society, Durham Regional Police Services, Elder Abuse Ontario, have partnered with Scugog Recreation, and through sponsorships we have also impacted Simcoe Hall, Operation Scugog, Big Brothers/Big Sisters North Durham and Clarington, and over 3,500 students in Durham Region. Since 2015, we have been committed to launching a captivating summer repertory festival to be proud of and we believe we are doing just that. We are thrilled to bring such high quality, professional theatre to Scugog and we’ve been overwhelmed by the positive critical response we had to Festival 2019, which presented 6 productions, 3 music cabarets, 1 staged reading and 3 educational programs for youth. Wow, we’ve come so far in five years! Can we go further? Yes we can…with your support! Do the math anyway you want and help us raise $2,020.00 for 2020. Whether your donation is $2.02, $20.20, $202.00, 2 X $20.00 or even 20 X $20.00, you’ll be helping get our 2020 season off to a great start! This Giving Tuesday give to Theatre on the Ridge and make your impact on the opportunities we can create together. It’s your chance to join us in the future. Your donation through CanadaHelps, large or small, will make a difference! Click here to donate now!  This December, Theatre on the Ridge has two performance events to make the holiday season even merrier!
Buy your $15/ticket advance preferred seating online here! On Saturday, December 14 at 7 pm artists and guests of the company present a staged reading of It’s A Wonderful Life at the Anglican Church of the Ascension. This classic holiday favourite reminds us that each person’s life touches the lives of others through the story of George Bailey who, with the help of an angel, is given the chance to see how life in Bedford Falls might have been without him. The seasonal theatrics continue on Sunday, December 15 when we present The Christmas Tree by Norm Foster in the courtyard of Old Flame Brewery, featuring summer company favourites Duncan Gibson-Lockhart and Frances Loiselle. This delightful one act play is filled with laughs, heartache and good old-fashioned Christmas spirit and is the perfect break from the bustle of holiday preparations and shopping. Performances at 1 pm, 3 pm and 5 pm. Seating is limited for both It’s A Wonderful Life and The Christmas Tree. Buy your $15/ticket advance preferred seating online here! Tickets will also be sold at the door for $10, subject to availability. Event Details Saturday, December 14, 7 pm Staged Reading: It’s A Wonderful Life Anglican Church of the Ascension 266 North St., Port Perry Limited seating Admission: $10 at the door, $15 advance preferred seating online only at www.theatreontheridge.ca With artists and guests of Theatre on the Ridge Approximately 2 hours with intermission. Sunday, December 15, 1 pm, 3 pm & 5 pm The Christmas Tree, a one act play by Norm Foster Old Flame Brewery Courtyard, 135 Perry St., Port Perry Limited seating Admission: $10 cover at the door, $15 advance preferred seating online only at www.theatreontheridge.ca Featuring Duncan Gibson-Lockhart and Frances Loiselle Each performance is approximately 35 minutes, no intermission.  We are taking a look at our artistic vision for the next 5 years and we want to hear from our patrons. Your input, whether you’ve seen one TOTR production or several (or even none at all!) is important to us. Please take a few moments to complete our 20/20 Looking Forward Patron Survey and help us see our way to the future. The survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete and you may receive season tickets to our 20/20 summer festival! Follow the link here to get started - 20/20 Looking Forward Patron Survey  Sunday, November 10, 2 pm
Reflections from The Great War Anglican Church of the Ascension 266 North St., Port Perry Admission: $10 at the door, $15 advance preferred seating online here With the artists and guests of Theatre on the Ridge Theatre on the Ridge recognizes Remembrance Day with a special afternoon of readings, songs and reflections from World War 1. Artists and guests of the company tell of life at the front and at home, from the early days of enthusiastic recruits to the heartbreaking aftermath of battles conducted on a scale never seen before. Approximately 2 hours with intermission. And coming in December... Saturday, December 14, 7 pm Staged Reading: It’s A Wonderful Life Anglican Church of the Ascension 266 North St., Port Perry Admission: $10 at the door, $15 advance preferred seating online.Purchase here. With the artists and guests of Theatre on the Ridge Sunday, December 15, 1 pm, 3 pm & 5 pm The Christmas Tree, a one act play by Norm Foster Old Flame Brewery Courtyard, 135 Perry St., Port Perry Limited seating Admission: $10 cover at the door, $15 advance preferred seating online. Purchase here. Featuring Duncan Gibson-Lockhart and Frances Loiselle Production details at www.theatreontheridge.ca/whats-on.html  Take our Post Season Patrons' Survey!
Festival 2019 was an outstanding theatre season full of rich experiences and rich collaborations on and offstage and we are already planning next year’s season. Before we put the finishing touches on Festival 2020, we want to hear from our audience! Take our post season survey and be entered into a draw to receive a pair of Festival 2020 season tickets. The survey takes only 2 minutes to complete! Click here now to get started!  Festival 2019 has wrapped and what a strong season it was! Once again we were proud to present a season of diverse, powerful and captivating live theatre and we’d would like to recognize all those who played their own important role in making this season so artistically successful! Thanks to our valued sponsors and partners including Town Hall Theatre (formerly Town Hall 1873), Vos’ Independent Grocers, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, the Church of the Ascension, North Durham EcoWater, HandtoHeart Healing, Scugog Lake Stewards and Scugog Council for the Arts for their ongoing support. This season we also welcomed new support from Courts of Canterbury by Geranium, Sunnybrae Golf Club, West Shore Village, Old Flame Brewery, Queen Beans Coffee, The Port Social. Port Olive Oil Company and The Perfect Scoop. A special thanks goes to our many private donors and our billet hosts, all making such a positive personal contribution and impact on our company experiences this summer. Welcome to our theatre family! And of course, our season would not be possible without the support of the above or without the commitment and enthusiasm of our actors, artistic, production, marketing and front of house teams, our many volunteers and the staff and board of directors, not to mention our loyal patrons. Together we have created an outstanding theatre season full of rich experiences and rich collaborations on and offstage. We will see you in 2020!   Indigenous Futurisms
Tell your stories of future worlds: a FREE theatre camp for First Nations youth (ages 12 – 15) in Durham Region August 6 – 9, 2019 Make the intention - create the action and image - Speak the worlds into being. From August 6-9th, 2019 Theatre on the Ridge, in relationship with Dr. Karyn Recollet (urban Cree) and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, offers a unique 4- day program of theatre, craft and performance to First Nations youth in theatre arts and creation. Indigenous Futurisms: Tell your stories of future worlds includes acting, movement/dance, music, and playwriting to encourage self-expression to explore the many ways we can tell our stories and share our hopes and dreams for the futures. Participants from ages 12 – 15, will be led and guided by the professional instructors and guests of Theatre on the Ridge in the creation of collaborative and individual theatre pieces. The program is free to First Nations youth in Durham region and takes place at Town Hall 1873 in Port Perry. Indigenous Futurisms: Tell your Stories of future worlds has been made possible with the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation to help access to arts-based learning opportunities and compelling artistic, cultural and heritage experiences. Learn more program details by contacting info@theatre3x60.ca and learn more about Theatre on the Ridge at www.theatreontheridge.ca.  Our summer season continues at Town Hall 1873 in Port Perry with The Valley by Joan MacLeod, through the generous support of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.
Four lives intersect and collide in The Valley. Based on true events and built on the concept of a First Nations healing circle, The Valley is a timely and powerful perspective on the complex issue of police interaction with the mentally ill. Playwright, Joan MacLeod wrote The Valley in 2013, basing her story on an incident in the Vancouver Airport. The play also eerily foreshadows a similar occurance several years later on a Toronto streetcar. The beauty and power of Ms. MacLeod’s writing is its ability to share each of her characters’ stories to create empathy and compassion. Drawing on the philosophy and model of a First Nations healing circle as the overarching structure of the play, Ms. MacLeod invites the characters and audiences of The Valley to shift perspectives, see past stereotypes and misconceptions to create a better understanding of the complex issue of mental health. As Janie in the play states, “It’s called a healing circle, not a blaming circle.” and by the play’s conclusion, there is resolution and hope that healing is possible. A portion of net proceeds from ticket sales from The Valley will be donated to Durham Mental Health Services (DMHS), supporting their work to raise awareness in our community of mental health issues, fighting the stigma too often associated with them, and offering support and assistance to help people suffering from mental illnesses. DMHS began operation in 1987 when a coalition of parishioners at Whitby All Saint’s Anglican Church recognized that others in the community, suffering from severe mental health issues, were in desperate need of safe, affordable housing. Now, over 25 years later, DMHS has grown into an agency with over 180 employees. DMHS offers a range of mental health services, at locations spread throughout the Durham Region. The Valley opens Thursday, July 25 at 7:30 pm, with additional performances July 27, 30, 31 and August 2 at 7:30 pm. Two matinees on Wednesday July 24 (preview) and Saturday, August 3 at 2 pm are also available. Recommended for ages 14+. Coarse language and mature subject matter. Tickets are available at www.townhall1873.ca More information on Durham Mental Health Services can be found at www.dmhs.ca  The Pine Grove Plots Performances scheduled for July 21, July 28, August 4 and August 11 have been cancelled. We regret that we are unable to offer Pine Grove Plots this season as originally advertised. Our thanks to all the individuals and organizations who have supported this project for the past two years. We hope that, with greater resources, we will be able to bring our unique cemetery walk back in 2020. For more information, please contact us at info@theatre3x60.ca  Take a Trip to Newfoundland with Guest Director Jeannette Lambermont-Morey
This summer, we welcome guest director Jeannette Lambermont-Morey to Theatre on the Ridge to bring us Robert Chafe’s Tempting Providence, set in early 20th century Newfoundland. Jeannette has directed countless shows across Canada and the United States, from the Stratford Festival, to the Virginia Stage Company and including, near-by summer theatres like The Guild Festival Theatre (Scarborough) and Festival Players in Prince Edward County. Jeannette has felt drawn to Tempting Providence for several reasons. It is a great story with a dynamic and inspiring glimpse into the life of remarkable real-life legend, Nurse Myra Bennett), secondly, it is an invigorating and finely-crafted piece of original theatrical writing and finally “and because I am in love with beautiful Newfoundland.” In Jeannette’s words “Everything about this play fires up my imagination. It makes room for all the things I love most about the magic of theatre. There are jumps in time and place that are achieved in an instant, without scene or costume changes, allowing the story to roar ahead when necessary, inviting delicious suspense. In addition, actors morph seamlessly from one character to the next as needed by the narrative. It is a story of tenacity and endurance, and it is a love story.” Tempting Providence is in preview Wednesday, July 17, 7:30 pm and opens Thursday, July 18, 7:30 pm. The run continues until July 27 and has been made possible through the generosity of production sponsor, Sunnybrae Golf Club. Tickets available online at www.townhall1873.ca, by phone 905 985-8181 or in person at Town Hall 1873, 302 Queen St. Port Perry. Full Festival 2019 season information available at www.theatreontheridge.ca.  Join Rat, Mole and Badger as they try to keep their friend Toad out of mischief and save him from himself, not to mention the weasels and the skunks! The Wind in the Willows previews July 10 and opens on July 11 at Town Hall 1873 in Port Perry, running until July 20.
This unique adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic family story has been penned by Canadian playwright, Michael Shamata and staged by the Theatre on the Ridge ensemble under the direction of company member, Barry McCluskey, who says “this collective of imaginative actors have encouraged me to see new perspectives grow from this familiar piece, set in the far-off fields of rural England”. While full of adventures and fun, The Wind in the Willows is also a story about the ties of true friendship and selflessly going to any length possible for friends - even if that friend is a self absorbed Toad enamoured with automobiles! With a little music and song, clever costumes and a lot of imagination, The Wind in the Willows is a delightful way for children of all ages to spend two hours at the theatre this summer. The Wind in the Willows runs July 10 (preview), July 11, 18, 20 at 2 pm and July 11, 13, 19 at 7:30 pm. Tickets on sale at the Town Hall 1873 box office at www.townhall1873.ca, 905 -985-8181 or in person at 302 Queen St., Port Perry. Children, family and group ticket packages available. For more information visit us here!  Welcome to Festival 2019
Click here for a sneak peek of this year's season! Now celebrating its 5th year, Theatre On The Ridge continues to be Durham’s entertaining and innovative professional theatre company that captivates on and offstage. Since 2013, we have consistently committed to artistic excellence, accessibility, education and audience engagement while nurturing new artists and theatre works. Things are definitely looking brighter here on the ridge…literally! With new lighting systems in both the Town Hall 1873 theatre and the patrons lounge studio, we are able to deliver more of that big city theatre experience and quality in one of Ontario’s most appealing Victorian small towns. This summer, we welcome new directors, new company members and new sponsors as Festival 2019 brings six diverse productions to the stage, engaging and entertaining our audiences with classic, Canadian and international plays, including a world premiere Canadian production – Willow Quartet Musical by Joan Burrows, Ron Cameron-Lewis and Jason Saunders. Find details on the full season here. Our favorite Pine Grove Plots vignettes also return to Pine Grove Cemetery and we renew our successful partnership with the Township of Scugog for high quality summer theatre camps for youth, in addition to our own production, performance and mentorship programs. All this has been made possible through the generous support of our production & supporting sponsors – The Courts of Canterbury by Geranium, Vos’ Independent Grocers, Sunnybrae Golf Club and The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. So come spend some time with us this summer - in the theatre, and in downtown Port Perry. Bring your family and friends. We’re close to the waterfront, restaurants, shopping and accommodations and working hard to bring you the best theatre possible, with something for everyone and great ticket packages for families and groups. Make a day or a weekend of it - our Wednesday and Saturday doubleheader deal allows you to see two plays and Port Perry all in one day! The season opens on July 3rd and the Town Hall 1873 box office is open – online, by phone at 905 985-8181 or in person at 302 Queen St. Port Perry From comedy to drama to Sunday concerts, 2019 is going to be a great season. Hope to see you this soon this summer! |
