The Vision
Beyond its already proven success as a summertime tourist attraction and a driver of the local economy, The Grove Theatre aspires to a much larger role as the cultural centre of the Kawarthas, offering high-calibre productions in multiple venues throughout the year. The Grove’s active steps in pursuit of that goal also include a robust program of education, including a drama camp for youth, workshops, and a professional internship program designed to give recent graduates their first jobs in the industry.
A place to gather with friends and family to share the power of live performance. A magnet for visitors from near and far. A centre for training and inspiring the next generation of theatre professionals. This is the heart and soul of The Grove Theatre, a visionary enterprise that dares to dream, even more boldly, of a potential future as one of Canada’s foremost theatre companies.
The vision is of a well-established and highly esteemed festival that creates significant employment opportunities for the local community while also hiring exceptional talent from around the country to provide audiences with pre-eminent artistic experiences.
Theatre Launch
The first summer included nine extraordinary guest artists, opening the amphitheatre to the public. The line-up highlighted Canadian stars Colin Mochrie & Deb McGrath, blues and country artist Crystal Shawanda as well as our very own Fenelon falls female musical talent.
Season One
Programming included a professional production of The 39 Steps, that ran for four weeks (20 performances). 28 Canadian guest artists, including Neil Osborne, Gordie Johnson, and Canadian legend Mary Walsh performed throughout the summer season. The space is available for faith services and ceremonies, musical acts, dance recitals, and anyone who wants to tread the boards of the stage.
Season Two
Beginning in year three, we performed two summer productions, The Comedy of Errors and Million Dollar Quartet in repertory. The season featured 14 Canadian guest artist performances, showcasing talents such as Bruce McCulloch, Sean McCann, and Measha Brueggergosman-Lee. The amphitheatre was brimming with excitement with performers of all kinds and endless spectators enjoying the space.
Years Three to Five
Two summer productions will continue in repertory, along with Canadian guest artists and a four-week youth summer camp program which will run in tandem with the other activities on stage.
Year Five And Beyond
By year six, three summer productions (a musical, a Shakespeare and a contemporary play) will be performed in repertory along with Canadian guest artist performances. Programming will extend into the shoulder seasons, maybe even winter - imagine a concert that you can snowshoe into with some toe warmers and a thermos of hot chocolate.
The camp program will expand to include an additional four-week conservatory program for teens.
The long-term vision is of a well-established and highly esteemed festival that creates significant employment opportunities for the local community while also hiring exceptional talent from around the country to provide audiences with pre-eminent artistic experiences.