Western Ontario Drama League | |
- What the Prez Sez
- WODL General Meeting -19 April 2026 - Hanover- 1:00 pm
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Adjudications - A Masterclass in Suspense, One Category at a Time
- Festival 2026 - Hanover
- MiniFest Update
- List of Workshop Leaders
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Periscope Playhouse Presents the Canadian Premier of Laugh, Cry, Pee, Repeat!
- Community Theatre in the WODL Region
- What's Happening in the Waterloo-Wellington Region
- What's Happening in the Bruce-Grey-Huron Region
- What's Happening in the Halton-Hamilton-Niagara Region
- Off the Wall - Summer Workshops
- Playwrights Canada Press
- Resource Stage - Accessibility Solutions – Assistive Listening Systems
- Playwrights Guild of Canada - Canadian Play Outlet
- Concord Theatricals New Plays
- If you are Producing Canadian Plays this Season - Check This Out
- Is your WODL Membership Information Up-to-date?
- Dates for your Diary
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Hi everyone,
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I can't wait for Sun April 19! Join our WODL General Meeting in Hanover or on Zoom. Meeting includes all the nominations for Out-of-Festival awards from Travelling Adjudicator, Mark Mooney.
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I can't wait for Festival 2026 in Hanover May 14-17. The team at HCP under Chair Bricklin Perkins is very hard at work to make it a great event. Join us for 3 plays, Detailed Adjudications each morning, 3 workshops, and of course being part of all the conversations in the lobby and after-hours room. I have been going to Festivals since 1981 and always learn something new. And then there's the Awards Gala Brunch on Sunday May 17th. And a 1950's theme!
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I can't wait to see which groups will sign up to be part of the Minifest workshop weekend August 7 & 8. Our team at Thistle Theatre Embro will welcome 6 groups of actors and lots of spectators. Now is the time for your group to get a director lined up and register with us - first 6 groups get in. Then rehearse your version of our 25 minute play Jerseys. Thistle will provide a common set, and lighting, and a lot of FUN. You bring your props, costumes, sound and creative interpretations. Especially good for people interested in trying out directing in a simpler, shorter play. Welcome to Workshop Leader Heather May.
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And finally, breaking news! The host group for Festival 2027 will be Theatre Woodstock. Thank you, thank you to TW for taking this on. Take a look at your group's upcoming season and consider entering a show "In-Festival" next year, and possibly being selected to perform in May in Woodstock.
There is more info on each of these in our newsletter. We love it when y'all come to the theatre!
| | WODL General Meeting -19 April 2026 - Hanover- 1:00 pm | |
All members welcome
When: Sunday April 19, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Where: Hanover Civic Theatre, 443 10th Ave, Hanover, N4N 2P1, Ontario
Attendance at the General Meeting is in person or via Zoom.
During this meeting the travelling adjudicator, Mark Mooney, will announce his nominations for the out-of-Festival awards. The winners of these awards will be announced at the Festival brunch in Hanover on Sunday May 17. All the awards will be presented at this brunch.
Invitations have been sent to all the presidents, and delegates, of member groups, that we have on record.
All members in good standing with a WODL member group are entitled to attend this meeting and to vote at this General Meeting.
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If you want to attend this meeting via Zoom, and you have not received an invitation, contact the secretary to the WODL board at secretary@wodl.on.ca.
In your email please include your full name and member group affiliation (no acronyms) and whether you are a group delegate, group member, or other.
You will receive instructions on joining the meeting and copies of the meeting materials, a
few days before the General Meeting.
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If you have any questions about this General Meeting:
Contact Cathy Moore, secretary@wodl.on.ca.
We look forward to having you join us!
| Adjudications - A Masterclass in Suspense, One Category at a Time | | |
On April 19th, during our meeting in Hanover, the adjudicator will announce the Award nominees. This is what you might see and feel:
The air in the theatre will be heavy with an electric stillness, a silence deeper than the final blackout of a tragedy. Gone are the boisterous warm-ups and the confident chatter of the theatre productions. On April 19th the focus will be intense, a small light may illuminate Mark Mooney who is sitting at a desk, usually on stage. Every eye is locked onto the adjudicator, their movements slow and deliberate, a physical manifestation of the suspense gripping the room.
This is the final scene in the drama of a competitive WODL Festival season. The task before the adjudicator will be formidable: translating months of painstaking analysis into a list of nominees for the prestigious awards.
Each rustle of paper will tell a story. The adjudicator does not simply announce names. Mark may emphasize a particularly brilliant directorial choice, an unexpected comedic turn, or a technical marvel. We will be reminded that these nominations are not just lists; they are a celebration of creativity and hard work.
There will be clutched faces and eyes wide and focused. You may hear someone breathe heavily or sigh. You may see someone in their seat, leaning forward, hand clenched, a silent manifestation of hope and anxiety. The audience’s reactions are like mirrors, reflecting the emotions churning through every single artist present.
It truly is a masterclass in suspense. The adjudicator understands the gravity of the moment and respects the effort that has been poured into every production. Each "and the nominees are..." will feel like a drumroll, leading to an explosion of cheers, a gasp of disbelief, or a dignified sigh of relief.
Beyond the competitive nature of the nominations, the ceremony serves as a powerful reminder of the collaborative spirit that defines our theatre community. In May at our WODL Gala, when a name is called, the applause is not just from the nominee's own troupe; it resonated from across the aisle, from rival casts who recognize and respect their artistry.
As the meeting concludes, the suspense might have lifted, but the energy remains high. The nominees celebrated, the unnominated reflected, and everyone will leave feeling the excitement of attending Festival and finding out who has won. All the members will contact their groups and share the nominations.
The success of the WODL Festival season is a testament to the dedication and teamwork of everyone involved. Months of greasepaint, sweat, and the occasional missed cues have led us to this moment, and your presence at the adjudication ceremony would be a meaningful way to honour that journey. If you cannot make it to Hanover, join us on Zoom. Each participant, whether on stage or behind the scenes, has contributed to the vibrant tapestry of our theatre community.
Special thanks go out to all the groups within WODL who have played a role in the adjudications. From those who organized dinners and arranged seating, to those who introduced the adjudicator and made everyone feel welcome, your efforts have not gone unnoticed. You have helped create a warm and inclusive atmosphere, making each gathering feel like home for artists and audience alike. Your contributions are invaluable, and the spirit of camaraderie you foster is what makes our theatre community truly exceptional.
See you in Hanover...
| By Bricklin Perkins, WODL Festival 2026 chair, bricklin@wodl.on.ca | |
Just 6 weeks away the Western Ontario Drama League's Festival 2026 is just around the corner. If you haven’t booked your accommodations yet, now is the time—book your rooms before it’s too late! Our Festival hotel is the Best Western in Walkerton, a small ways away from the Hanover Civic Theatre.
The Festival lineup will be announced soon and tickets are up for sale now at wodlfestival.ca.
For the best experience, consider the Three-Night Package, which includes:
- A ticket to all three shows
- An invitation to our Opening Reception on Thursday, May 14, from 5:00 – 6:30 PM before the first show.
And don’t forget to drop by the Hospitality Room at the Best Western, where you can unwind, and chat with fellow theatre lovers!
Once the lineup is announced keep your eyes out for a participant package with all the details.
Exciting Announcements Ahead!
Mark your calendars for Sunday, April 19, when we’ll reveal the out-of-Festival nominees. This is always a thrilling moment as we celebrate even more of the incredible theatre happening across our region.
Everything is coming together for an unforgettable week of theatre, learning, and community. I can’t wait to see you all there! If you haven't already, follow us on instagram @festivalwodl.
For all the latest news about Festival 2026, check the Festival website, www.WODLfestival.ca, often.
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Hello my WODL Friends!
My name is Jay Peckham, and I am the Chair of WODL's MiniFest Planning Committee, as well as the WODL Representative for Theatre Sarnia. We have a wonderful announcement, or two. The truth is that my committee and I have been working hard to bring MiniFest back into its former and glorious self. Binbrook did an AWESOME job of relaunching this workshop last year, and we have generated some new excitement around it.
For anyone who may not be familiar with MiniFest, it is a workshop in which we provide a single script to up to six different companies. They have some time to develop their approach to the material and then we descend on the host theatre and perform all six versions to the entire group. It is perfect for developing new directors, actors, and stage crew. You get to see how many others can make so many very different choices for the exact same text. Led by our Workshop Leader, it is a fun look at choices, styles, and the deepest regions of the minds of other weird people like ourselves!! There are workshops, exercises, and plenty of feedback. Who doesn't want THAT?
To this end, we have secured a host group in Thistle Theatre Embro!, The dates are August 7th and 8th, 2026. Our workshop leader has recently been chosen and approved by the Board, and it is Heather May of London, Ontario. Finally, we have found a funny little MiniFesty script entitled, Jersey by Brad Fortman of Binbrook (attached). I mean, I attached the script, not Brad himself, sorry.
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Finally, we have a Facebook group for MiniFest in general HERE. Please like and follow us. There will be lots of information shared here as we get closer to the workshop date. We have also recently opened up our registration for Member Groups to participate in MiniFest. It is an online form, click here to register. It is a first-come, first-served scenario. There are six spots available. So register soon!!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our Host Group Chair, Lynda Pillon (lyndapillon@hotmail.com) or myself (jay@wodl.on.ca).
Have a GREAT summer all, and we will see you in August!!!
| | The following people are prepared to deliver workshops in the WODL region: | | |
Periscope Playhouse Presents the Canadian Premier of Laugh, Cry, Pee, Repeat! | By Karen Bechard, Periscope Playhouse, periscopeplayhouse@outlook.com | |
A chance encounter at a London Ontario senior’s exercise class has led to a big coup for a small town theatre.
Periscope Playhouse veteran, Colleen Marlin, was discussing the dearth of decent roles for women beyond their fifties. A classmate said she’d seen a hilarious play recently while vacationing in Florida. It featured women and stories that were “From menopause and beyond” AND she knew one of the three playwrights.
A few phone calls, texts and emails later, Periscope Playhouse was green lighted to stage the Canadian premiere of Laugh, Cry, Pee, Repeat!
A buzz went up in the local theatre community and a stellar cast was selected. This is undoubtedly the reason the opening night gala (to be attended by all three playwrights, flying in from Florida for the Premier) sold out BEFORE the first rehearsal even took place!
Laugh, Cry, Pee, Repeat! isn’t so much a play, as a collection of sketches, skits, and heartfelt monologues that will make you laugh, cry and who knows, maybe even pee repeatedly!
The show is being directed by Gordon Walker (Recipient of the 2025 WODL Minifest Playwright’s Award) and Stephanie MacDonald. Canadian playwright Carole Fenstermacher, along with Patti Corsini Caroli, and Nathalie King have produced a script that is by, for, and about women who are strong, vibrant, vital, sexy, intelligent AND
they are all getting the senior’s discount without having to ask!
Laugh, Cry, Pee, Repeat! opens May 22 and runs weekends through until June 7th at Periscope Playhouse in Port Burwell Ontario.
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Community Theatre in the WODL Region | | |
A good place to find out about what other WODL groups are doing is the WODL Facebook page, WODL | Facebook. Most of the announcements are at fairly short notice, so check in often!
If your group is putting on an event that you would like included in the May newsletter, please send the information to communications@wodl.on.ca.
| | What's Happening in the Waterloo-Wellington Region | | By Bev Dietrich, WODL Area VP Waterloo-Wellington, bev@wodl.on.ca | | |
Ayr Community Theatre
Auditions for Nunsense Book, Music & Lyrics by Dan Goggin, directed by Lisa Hagen will be held on June 20, 2026, for performances in November/December 2026.
https://www.ayrcommunitytheatre.com/
Elmira Theatre Company
A world premiere of A Delicate Art by Michael Grant and directed by Michael Grant will run April 17-26, 2026.
Slain at the Speakeasy by Kari Williamson & Nate Schierman is a Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre held May 22 & 23 at the Elmira Legion.
https://elmiratheatre.com/
Elora Community Theatre
The Three Musketeers adapted by Catherine Bush from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, directed by Catherine Johnston runs May 1-10, 2026.
https://www.eloracommunitytheatre.org
Guelph Little Theatre
Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward runs March 26-April 12, 2026, with adjudication on March 29, 2026.
Ward One Acts will be held July 2-5, 2026.
https://www.guelphlittletheatre.com/
Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre
You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown. Book, Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner, Directed by Elizabeth Wallis with performances June 12-18, 2026.
https://kwlt.org
Theatre Wellesley
The Gentleman Clothier by Norm Foster, directed by Al Cook runs April 23-May 6, 2026.
https://theatrewellesley.com/
| | What's Happening in the Bruce-Grey-Huron Region | By Deb Deckert, WODL Area VP Bruce-Grey Huron, debbie@wodl.on.ca | |
Goderich Little Theatre
Ordinary Magic, Theatre for Young People will be presenting one acts performed by their youngest company members.
Ages 13-18: Peter Pan and The Lottery. Back to back shows run April 23-26.
GLT is really excited to be one of the shows for the WODL Festival with the production of Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks.
https://www.thelivery.ca
Hanover Community Players
Unnecessary Farce runs April 24-26 and May 1-3.
The company is excited to be hosting the WODL Festival during the long weekend in May, 2026. Check out the info in this newsletter.
https:/hanovercommunityplayers.ca
Kincardine Theatre Guild
Wyrd Sisters runs April 24-26, and May 1-3, 7-9
KTG is thrilled to be a part of the WODL Festival with their production Taking Care of the Browns
https://kincardinetheatreguild.com
Owen Sound Little Theatre
Witness for the Prosecution runs 16-19 and 22-25 April.
https://roxytheatre.ca/
| | What's Happening in the Halton-Hamilton-Niagara Region | | |
Binbrook Little Theatre
https://binbrooktheatre.ca/
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Calendar Girls
Based on the Miramax motion picture
by Juliette Towhidi and Tim Firth
Directed by Valerie Harrison
April 10 - 25, 2026
2026-2027 Season:
Fall: Murder on the Nile By Agatha Christie
Winter: Just One More, Mr. Munsch! Adapted by David Wice
Spring: Harvest By Ken Cameron
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Dundas Little Theatre
https://dundaslittletheatre.com/
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Late Company
By Jordan Tannahill
A gripping, acclaimed drama by a Canadian playwright who wrote it at the age of 23. It takes place at a dinner in which two sets of parents try to come to terms with a case of bullying that led to a tragic outcome for one of their sons. Time Out (London, England) called it “Harrowingly powerful … a superb play, which deals compassionately yet unflinchingly with grief’s desperate search for an answer to the question: Why?”
April 24 – May 10, 2026
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Peninsula Players Community Theatre Company
https://peninsulaplayersgrimsby.ca/
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Auditions For The Savannah Sipping Society
Requires 4 women
June 3 & 4 at 7pm
100 Main Street West, Grimsby
Memory Hall
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A Grand Night for Singing
Music by Richard Rodgers and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Musical Arrangements by Fred Wells
Orchestration by Michael Gibson and Jonathan Tunick
Conceived by Walter Bobbie
Directed by David Dayler and Randy Coutts
Musical Direction by Brenda Uchimaru
May 29, 30, June 4, 5, 11, 12, and 13, 2026 at 8pm
May 31, June 6, 7, and 13, 2026 at 2pm
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Theatre Burlington
https://www.theatreburlington.on.ca/
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Hurry Hard
By Kristin Da Silva
Rehearsals are well underway for the final main stage production of the season, Hurry Hard by Kristen Da Silva.
Directed by Jerrold Karch and produced by Julie Donoahue, it’s a hilarious comedy about friendship and the power of love, that takes place during a hotly contested regional bonspiel.
Burlington Curling Club are helping with props and set design, and even invited the cast and crew for an impromptu lesson.
The cast includes, Woodrow Dixon as Terry, Michael Anania as Bill, Jennifer Vince as
Sandy, Andrea Montgomery as Darlene, and Braden Worton as Johnny.
Show dates are April 17-May 2.
Lighting Workshop
The lighting workshop on March 7, lead by Dan Gallo from the Shaw Festival, was a huge success. More than 20 people learned about the basics of theatre lighting, including hang & focus, colour theory, basics of designing for the stage, site safety and workplace standards, as well as console programming (ETC Element).
| | Off the Wall - Summer Workshops | |
By Michele Boniface, Chair, Off the Wall Stratford Artists Alliance, mboniface@cyg.net
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Check out these new books from Playwrights Canada Press!
Recently released:
Against the Night by Evelyne de la Chenelière, translated by Linda Gaboriau
Every evening Bernard and Viviane gaze across their vast estate, maintained by the ex-convict gardener Jérémie, as their runaway daughter Léna returns home once again. Beneath the bourgeois malaise lies a latent violence waiting for release. To free themselves, Léna and Jérémie must sacrifice everything—their estate, heritage, and Bernard and Viviane. Against the Night is a surreal, tragicomic descent into familial collapse, where identity unravels and reality bends. Evelyne de la Chenelière’s haunting play invites us into a dreamscape where nothing is certain and everything is up for reinvention.
An IMM-Permanent Resident by Neha Poduval & Himanshu Sitlani
Neha and Himanshu are drowning in paperwork. After leaving Mumbai to chase the Canadian dream, Neha’s repeated rejections for permanent residency leave the couple suspended in visa purgatory. As bureaucratic absurdities abound and endless forms pile up, their relationship is tested—not just by the government, but by each other. An IMM-Permanent Resident is a hilarious and heartbreaking true story of love, limbo, and the Canadian immigration system. Told by real-life couple Neha Poduval and Himanshu Sitlani, this candid romantic comedy blends biting humour, Bollywood flair, and raw honesty into a celebration of belonging and a love that transcends borders.
PYPER by Susanna Fournier
Ten cyborg-AI teens try to build a time capsule to prove they exist in case they're "retired" before graduation. Tracing their origins back to a mysterious piper in the town of Hamelin and an old puppet maker who discovers a talking block of wood, these algorithmic adolescents search for meaning in an ever-accelerating world of rapid obsolescence and hyperconnectivity. The Breakfast Club meets The Terminator in this angsty sci-fi odyssey about youth, identity, and what it means to be human in a digital-dependent world. Developed with an ensemble of high school students, PYPER is wildly inventive, eerily urgent, and will make you a follower.
Love You Wrong Time by Maddie Bautista & Deanna H. Choi with Erin Brubacher
Love You Wrong Time is an uproariously funny and radically joyful song cycle, blending the styles of cabaret, game show, and stand-up comedy into one big Asian sensation. Following two friends on the lookout for love, the show playfully skewers yellow fever, cultural stereotypes, and Asian femme fetishization with sharp satire and rich musicality. Featuring original sheet music from multiple genres and behind-the-scenes insights into the creative process, this battle cry is a good time with teeth.
AFRODISIAC by Maryline Chery
Bursting with colours, aromas, and afro hair products, AFRODISIAC is a vibrant celebration of womanhood, self-love, and the magic of natural hair. Inspired by oral histories and real interviews with hair specialists, Maryline Chery’s spellbinding solo show braids together stories of racism, beauty standards, high-school bullying, and fierce resilience. Ethereal and empowering, AFRODISIAC is for every Black and Brown woman learning to love herself in a world that tries to make her small. It’s glistening. It’s messy. It’s Haitian. It’s healing. Above all, it’s unapologetically Black.
Coming soon:
Hurricane Mona by Pippa Mackie
After a topless protest at the Global Climate March, radical eco-activist Mona is sentenced to a year of house arrest with her coffee-pod-loving parents and fed-up younger sibling. But as Mona’s relentless eco-crusade takes over the entire household, her family is swept into a hilarious and chaotic cyclone of hypocrisy, guilt, and anxiety. How can they survive an ecological collapse if they can’t even survive each other? Hurricane Mona is an outrageous comedy about generational conflict amidst an impending climate disaster. Complete with a giant talking frog, a mushroom trip, and some hairy activism, this rallying cry delivers big laughs and even bigger questions about the messes we leave behind.
+ see what else is coming soon!
Did you know you can browse our plays by subjects and casting?
Want to hear more about sales and upcoming events? Sign up for our newsletter!
You can find more new releases, a blog full of interviews and excerpts, and more on playwrightscanada.com.
| | Resource Stage - Accessibility Solutions – Assistive Listening Systems | By Samadhi Perera, Horizon Solutions, samadhi@horizonsolutions.net | |
Accessible technology helps to ensure your entire audience enjoys the show!
You work so hard to deliver a great performance for every show, ensuring that your entire audience can fully experience the performance used to be hard, but new technologies are making accessibility easier to use and more reliable.
Join us for this free Resource Stage seminar on April 14 at 7:00 p.m. as we take a practical look at Assistive Listening Systems. We’ll explore both traditional FM and IR systems as well as newer technologies from Bluetooth. Our goal is to help you understand what options are available and what might work best for your space.
Assistive Listening Systems aren’t just an added feature. It’s an important step toward making your theatre more accessible and welcoming to every audience member.
Register Today and secure your spot.
Join us on April 14th @7 p.m.
At Horizon Solutions 1910 Huron Street, London, ON
or online at www.resourcestage.ca
For more information contact us at:
info@resourcestage.ca | 519-453-3368
| Playwrights Guild of Canada - Canadian Play Outlet | | Concord Theatricals New Plays | | If you are Producing Canadian Plays this Season - Check This Out | | Is your WODL Membership Information Up-to-date? | | |
Are you on the board of a theatre group that belongs to WODL? If your group has:
- A new President
- New WODL delegates
- A new Treasurer
Please let our membership chair, Shirley Steele, know at membership@wodl.on.ca
| | | | Deadline for submissions for the May newsletter. | | | | WODL Festival 2026, Hanover | | | | Minifest, Thistle Theatre, Embro | | | | WODL Festival 2027, Woodstock | | |
This newsletter was prepared by:
Tricia Ward
Communications coordinator
WODL
Western Ontario Drama League | communications@wodl.on.ca | www.wodl.on.ca
Copyright © Western Ontario Drama League 2026. All Rights Reserved.
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