Enjoy haunting tales and revisit the Golden Age of radio plays, where dialogue is delivered live and sound effects are created with live foley. Return to a time when the medium was “magic” airwaves painting a rich audio tapestry which drew families round the radio for story time.
Enjoy haunting tales and revisit the Golden Age of radio plays, where dialogue is delivered live and sound effects are created with live foley. Return to a time when the medium was “magic” airwaves painting a rich audio tapestry which drew families round the radio for story time.
Workshop and Children’s Tea, Ages 5-10
By royal decree you and your family are invited to tea. Learn about royal etiquette and play make believe. Cookies and punch are provided. Prior to Saturday matinee performances of Cinderella.
Created as a fast paced, imaginative 30‑minute wordless performance, it will bring more than 12,000 years of Niagara’s history to life using visual storytelling, movement, music and handcrafted puppets. With no spoken dialogue, the production is engaging, inclusive, and accessible for audiences of all ages, languages, and abilities. All performances are held under the tent next to the Butterfly Conservatory. Featuring Mike Peterson, Katie Ryerson and Tara Rosling.
A Short History of Niagara has been created by artists Alexandra Montagnese (actor, writer, and curator of Toronto’s puppet theatre, Concrete Cabaret) and Mike Petersen (credited on numerous works for film and television including Labyrinth and Fraggle Rock). The show will be performed by Petersen and Niagara-based performer Katie Ryerson (seen on stage at the Shaw Festival in various productions and in Toronto in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).
Book early! Big, beautiful uplifting vocals that will take your breath away. Enjoy this extremely popular, euphoric and inspirational musical experience performed by the glorious voices of the Shaw Festival Company.
Sponsored by Hodgson Russ LLP
Join Shaw Music Director, Paul Sportelli and sing-along to the music of Funny Girl (June 25). Later in the season (December 5) participate in a seasonal sing!
Members of our amazingly talented Ensemble will delight and inspire you with songs from well-loved musical theatre composer-duos. Each performance will be a night of musical delights, celebrated songs and intimate encounters. Join us!
Classical music concerts performed in the Festival Theatre lobby by members of the Shaw Orchestra.
An intimate and interactive evening of songs and stories. Hosted by Associate Music Director, Ryan deSouza, Ensemble members sing songs from their audition songbooks and recount stories about their lives as artists in the theatre.
Sponsored by Hodgson Russ LLP
Extended into September!
Enjoy great food, refreshments and live music. Thursdays in July, August and September following matinees.
Sponsored by Marz Homes.
An evening of jazz hosted by Associate Music Director, Ryan deSouza, and featuring members of the Shaw Orchestra and special guests.
Please join us for a fascinating talk with Anne Cattaneo, the dramaturg of Lincoln Center Theater and the creator and head of the Tony Award Honor nominated Lincoln Center Theater Directors’ Lab. She is the recipient of LMDA’s first Lessing Award for lifetime achievement of dramaturgy. Ms Cattaneo, in her extraordinary career, has worked with and crossed paths with many of the incredible women that will be featured in this talk, including Wendy Wasserstein, Julie Taymor, Zelda Fichlander, and Rachel Chavkin.
Supported by DeRoy Testamentary Foundation
Activate your theatre engagement with Shaw artists and the creative minds who bring our plays to life. Five plays over three days, special presentations, daily lunches and parking.
Welcome to the Theatre of Medicine, co-created by The Shaw and The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, that teaches essential skills like these through techniques found in the performing arts. Theatre of Medicine is a certified continuing professional development (CPD) program, accredited through the University of Toronto’s Temerty School of Medicine. There are half-day and full-day workshop options available, as well as a full-weekend in September. So often these skills are overlooked or part of hidden curriculum in medical education and yet they are essential for effective patient engagement and overall physician wellbeing. They can be taught, learned, and, with practice, become second nature — as part of a whole-system of medical practice.
For more information and to book tickets click here or email Alexis Milligan at [email protected]
Often characterized by formality and complexity in its musical form, the Classical era marked one of the most transformative chapters in music history. Composers Haydn, Beethoven and Mozart created widely admired representatives of “absolute music” including symphonies, concertos, and the sonata. Join us as we examine this incredible period in history.
The Art of Ideas is sponsored by the Shaw Guild.
Join us for a morning of theatrical true-stories and tall-tales, hosted by the legendary theatre critic and historian Anthony Chase of NPR’s Theatre Talk, with special guests.
The Art of Ideas is sponsored by the Shaw Guild.
Join us for a “fireside chat” with Obie award winning designer Adrianne Lobel, as she shares her unique insight of the works of her late father, children’s author Arnold Lobel, author of the book series Frog and Toad. Ms Lobel was the first producer of the musical A Year with Frog and Toad, as well as the scenic designer.
Ms Lobel is an award winning scenic designer, painter, and producer for theatre, opera, and dance, based in New York City. Her scenic design credits include the Broadway productions of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award winning musical Passion, The Diary of Anne Frank (both directed by James Lapine), On The Town directed by George C. Wolfe and A Year with Frog and Toad directed by David Petrarca.
She has worked in most major American regional theaters and extensively Off-Broadway. Ms. Lobel has won the Lucille Lortel Award, the Obie Award, Long Wharf’s Murphy Award, The Joseph Jefferson Award, as well as Drama Desk, Maharam, Helen Hayes, FANY and Tony nominations.
The Art of Ideas is sponsored by the Shaw Guild.
Here’s your chance to peek behind the curtain. An hour-long guided tour of the Festival Theatre reveals the secrets that bring The Shaw’s work to the stage.
Beginning May 2: Saturday & Sunday | 10am
Beginning June 2: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday | 10am
Uncover the creative invention and backstage brilliance that make each performance unforgettable with a lively post-show conversation that reveals the artistry, technique and surprises that bring theatre to life. Following Thursday matinees of Funny Girl and Cinderella.
Join fellow patrons for an engaging and guided discussion, exploring unique perspectives on a shared experience. Following select Tuesday, Friday and Saturday matinees (except those marked P and O).
Led by the Intern Directors at the Shaw Festival each season, enjoy an introduction to that evening’s play. Talks start half an hour before select performances (except those marked P and O).
Pre-show fun! Enjoy an interactive workshop prior to each performance of The Wind in the Willows and A Year with Frog and Toad.
A brief history of cabaret, from its birth in the cafés of Paris to its development into large-scale productions in the United States. Join us for an insightful half-hour talk about this delightful art form. Pairs perfectly with select performances of Perfect Parings!
Shaw’s long-running and ever-popular informal question-and-answer session with actors following Tuesday evening performances (except those marked P and O), in all three theatres.
Mix yourself the monthly signature cocktail and join us online for an engaging conversation (and a few stories!) with Shaw Company members and artists. Invitation, recipe and information emailed prior to each event. Offered on the last Thursday of each month (excluding December).
To register, please click here.
Learn to captivate an audience, your colleagues, or perhaps your friends and family, with the artful skill of storytelling – whether it be true story or pure fiction. Join Carlyn Rhamey, award-winning storyteller and performance artist, on keeping your audience engaged and the fundamentals on what makes a story a good one. Participants will engage in this two-part workshop online via Zoom, with a link to the workshop provided 24 hours prior.
Part I – Sept 21 and Part II – Sept 28
A fun and engaging class where participants explore the art of improvisational theatre. Through various exercises and activities, seniors boost their creativity, confidence and communication skills while having a great time. It’s a fantastic way to socialize, laugh and keep the mind sharp! Drop in. No prior booking required.
About the Facilitator: Katie Ryerson
Katie is a Niagara Falls based multidisciplinary artist with a passion for comedy and ensemble based work. Past productions includes two holiday seasons with The Shaw Festival in A Christmas Carol (2024 and 2025) and playing Moaning Myrtle in the Canadian premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Mirvish).
A scene study is a collaborative and lively activity where participants come together to perform and explore scenes from plays or films. Through this process, everyone works together to understand the characters, emotions and storylines, bringing the scene to life on its feet. This process involves learning lines, understanding the motivations of the characters and engaging in group discussions to fully embody the material. This experience offers a wonderful opportunity to stay mentally active, connect with others and express oneself, fostering joy, creativity and a sense of fulfilment on the stage and in this stage of life. The workshop will culminate in a scene study invited presentation on November 18.
About the facilitator: Marla McLean
Marla has been with the Shaw Festival for 19 seasons, and is stretching her expertise beyond the stage. Her most recent Shaw Festival credits include Dear Liar (2025), Tons of Money (2025), Witness for the Prosecution (2024), Prince Caspian (2023), and The Playboy of the Western World (2023).
Join us for this series where actors reveal how they learn all those lines. Memorization is a healthy way to exercise your brain. Each session takes you through the techniques that actors at The Shaw use in their daily practice to prepare. You’ll have friends asking, “How do you learn all those lines?” Strengthen your brain and boost your confidence. Perfect for theatre lovers, lifelong learners and anyone who is aiming to support their cognitive health.
About the Facilitators
Session 1 – Tara Rosling
Tara is a seasoned Canadian theatre artist with a distinguished career spanning over 30 years. As an actress, she has built a rich and rewarding body of work across independent theatre, the Stratford and Shaw Festivals, as well as film and television. Tara has had the great pleasure of helming numerous educational programs with participants of all ages.
Session 2 – Kerry Ann Doherty
Kerry Ann is an international and critically acclaimed theatre artist. Beside her extensive performance credits (which include performances on the Shaw Festival stages), she earned her MFA in theatre directing from the University of Essex in 2018, participated in the Shaw Festival Neil Munro Directors Project (2025), and has earned several Dora and Sterling Award Nominations.
Fun for All Ages (8+) and Experience Levels
This progressive four-week session is a playful intro to the basics of different dance forms, led by a Shaw Ensemble member. You will learn some technique and even a bit of choreography!
About the Facilitator: Matt Alfano
Matt has been with the Shaw Festival for five seasons, and has quickly become a recognized figure on the stage for this dance and movement expertise. Matt will be performing in Funny Girl and The Wind in the Willows for the 2026 season. Previous Shaw Festival credits include Anything Goes, La Vie en Rose, One Man, Two Governors, White Christmas, and Gypsy.
Step into Niagara’s natural landscape with a guided walking experience through Paradise Grove. Led by experienced guide Owen Bjorgan, this immersive walk invites participants to explore the beauty of its historic oak canopy and the Niagara River, while engaging in a gentle, restorative journey through nature. We will start with a group stretch before departure.
A special opportunity for older adults to bring young adventurers on an expedition through Paradise Grove, led by experienced guide Owen Bjorgan. Adventurers will be provided a magnifying glass and scavenger hunt to spark curiosity and connection across generations. Recommended for explorers 4 years-old and up. We will start with a group stretch before departure.
Our lives have become digitally connected – sometimes a little too close for comfort. Between spam emails, unknown friend requests and Scam-Likely phone calls, confidence in our digital world is essential. This session offers participants the tools to recognize scams and protect their personal information, led by the Shaw Festival’s IT Security Administrator, Tony Riches. Free to the public, no prior registration required.
Find the limelight in your Golden Years and engage with others who are young-at-heart. The Shaw offers short, delightful concerts with heartwarming stories, songs and nostalgia as we bring artistic excellence to your long-term residence or retirement residence.
Please contact [email protected] for information.
