WODL June 2025 newsletter

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Western Ontario Drama League

WODL

Newsletter June 2025

In this Issue:

What the Prez Sez
Festival 2025 Awards In-Festival Results
Festival 2025 Awards Out-of-Festival Results
Festival 2025 Photographs
Adjudications At Festival
WODL Festival 2025 - A Triumphant Celebration
Minifest
Community Theatre in the WODL Region
What's Happening in the Waterloo-Wellington Region
What's Happening in the Bruce-Grey-Huron Region
Off the Wall - Upcoming Courses
Playwrights Canada Press
RS25 Conference & Trade Show - 21 June 2025 - London, Ontario
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

Quick Links

Join our mailing list

Share This Email

What the Prez Sez

By Sue Garner, WODL President, president@wodl.on.ca

Hello everyone.

Calling all Minifest Participants:

WODL's zany, unlike-anything-else Minifest weekend is returning on July 25/26th and Binbrook Little Theatre (near Hamilton) will be hosting.

We still have room for a couple more groups to take part. Each group will come ready to perform the 23-minute play Scoundrels in Kelowna. Are the patrons in this bar here to toast a friend who has passed away - or is something else going on? Remember, there are NO LIMITS on the kinds of creative things you can do with a script at Minifest. Set it in any time and location, use zany costumes and sounds - the sky is the limit!

After each performance all groups are part of the workshop fun with leader Joe Sheik. Lots of learning, and ridiculous hilarity are the trademarks for our Minifests. It's a great experience for new directors or actors or more seasoned ones.

Here's the link for more info or to sign up: https://www.binbrooktheatre.ca/minifest

Festival 2025:

On the May long weekend, we enjoyed Festival 2025! At last! What fun it was. First of all, congratulations to all our out-of-Festival productions, and especially to Theatre Woodstock's production of Cabaret which was awarded Outstanding Production Out-of-Festival. Adjudicator, Trevor Smith-Diggins, was full of praise, especially for director Joey Larmour who was directing his very first show.

For in-Festival performances, 3 groups brought their plays to perform at The Bank Theatre in Leamington. Elmira Theatre Company, Theatre Woodstock and Sun Parlour Players shows were all well done, and the in-Festival adjudicator, Lindsay Price, finally selected Halfway There from Sun Parlour as her overall outstanding production. Lindsay gave 3 detailed adjudications that included workshop work to see how some of her suggestions might be accomplished. Very interesting indeed.

There were workshops on Playwriting, Acting and Lighting and I learned new things at all of them.

And we can't forget the opening reception, gala brunch, and the after hours room! If you were there that weekend, you met so many new people and renewed longtime acquaintances. I think I am finally almost caught up on sleep after multiple nights in that party room.

I want to extend the most massive thanks to the many Leamington volunteers, led by Corey Robertson, and supported in epic style by Diane, Michelle and Renata. You are each simply amazing.

As our member groups are wrapping up this season, and planning for next, I hope all of you have enjoyed and taken pride in the community theatre you took part in this year. And if you are an audience person... well, we love it that you choose the theatre.

Sue

Festival 2025 Awards In-Festival Results

Click the thumbnail below for a printable list of the results.

On this list the winners are in bold type.

Festival 2025 Awards Out-of-Festival Results

Pre-Festival Awards

The Hadley Award

In Memory of Val and Fred Hadley

Outstanding Performance by a Juvenile

Sponsor: Joe Agocs

Priya Pickel - Marcy - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - St Marys Community Players
Claire G. Gaumond - Aggie - The Game's Afoot - Peninsula Players
Avary Arsenault - Anne - The Diary of Anne Frank - Elora Community Theatre
Lucas Smith - Peter - The Diary of Anne Frank - Elora Community Theatre
Savannah Burton - Samuel and The Apothecary - Romeo & Juliet: A Cyberpunk Story - Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre

Winner: Claire G. Gaumond - Aggie - The Game's Afoot - Peninsula Players

The Theatre Kent Award

Most Promising Newcomer

Aslam Abdul Rahim - Balthazar - Romeo & Juliet: A Cyberpunk Story - Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre
Brian Serafini - Mr. Dussel - The Diary of Anne Frank - Elora Community Theatre
Priya Pickel - Marcy - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - St Marys Community Players
Sierra Richardson -Nurse / Pinhead - The Elephant Man - Odesa Company & Elgin Theatre Guild
Quentin McLeod - Prince - Romeo & Juliet: A Cyberpunk Story - Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre

Winner: Priya Pickel - Marcy - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - St Marys Community Players

The Christopher Covert Memorial Award

Outstanding Cameo Performance

Sponsors: Audrey Hummelen and Marie Prout

Pete Matthews - Radio Announcer) - Steel Magnolias - Theatre Tillsonburg
Brett Hallick - Junior - Halfway There - Sun Parlour Players
Trixie Walker - Peaches - The Last Romance - Theatre Sarnia
Becky Robinson - Leah, Homeless Person, Bar Patron - Prelude To A Kiss - Owen Sound Little Theatre
Paul Pickard - Tom - Sylvia - Elgin Theatre Guild

Winner: Brett Hallick - Junior - Halfway There - Sun Parlour Players

The Molly Yearham Award

Best Visually Co-ordinated Costumes of a Non- rental Nature

Sponsor: Dundas Little Theatre

Holly McAdam - The Pirates Of Penzance - Kincardine Theatre Guild
Debra Chantler - The Odd Couple - London Community Players
Christel McLean, Karen Klein-Locke, Taffy Weir, Sylvie Weir, Lara Larmour - Cabaret - Theatre Woodstock
Lori Bruni, Lois Lemire, MaryEllen Maniaci, Bonnie Wallace - The Game's Afoot - Peninsula Players
Gilberta Patrick - Rose's Dilemma - Cambridge Community Players

Winner: Holly McAdam - The Pirates Of Penzance - Kincardine Theatre Guild

The Palace Theatre Award

In Memory of Jocelyn McKlee

Outstanding Lighting Design and Execution

Sponsor: Rick Verrette

Rachelle Lacroix - The Last Romance - Theatre Sarnia
John Moran - Dracula - Sun Parlour Players
Bob Hulme - The Play That Goes Wrong - Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts
Dale Albrecht, Sandy Lemaitre, David Beisel, Kathleen Cassidy, Bill Murphy - Prelude to a Kiss - Owen Sound Little Theatre
Pete Dunbar, Mike Crabbe - Cabaret - Theatre Woodstock

Winner: Dale Albrecht, Sandy Lemaitre, David Beisel, Kathleen Cassidy, Bill Murphy - Prelude to a Kiss - Owen Sound Little Theatre

The Harmony Award

Outstanding Set Design and Execution

Sponsor Marion Smith

Outstanding Set Design and Execution
Sandra Bacon - The Game's Afoot - Peninsula Players
Mike Lindsay - The Play That Goes Wrong - Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts
Michael C. Hannigan - Timepiece -Theatre Burlington
Sally Johnston - My Old Lady - Theatre Woodstock
Paul Baert - The Last Romance - Theatre Sarnia

Winner: Paul Baert - The Last Romance - Theatre Sarnia

The Kincardine Theatre Guild Award

Outstanding Sound Design and Execution

Corey Robertson & Vee Papadimos - Dracula - Sun Parlour Players
Alex Kanarek & Dennis Gray - The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare - Guelph Little Theatre
Matt Fairthorne & Marque Smith - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - St Marys Community Players
Chloé McGregor & Chuck Baxter - Cabaret - Theatre Woodstock
Katherine Albuquerque - Halfway There - Sun Parlour Players

Winner: Alex Kanarek & Dennis Gray - The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare - Guelph Little Theatre

The Catherine Brickenden Award

In Memory of David Perkins

Outstanding Production of a Canadian Play

Sponsored by: Elizabeth Repuski

Nikki Wiltac - Annelle - Steel Magnolias - Theatre Tillsonburg
Michelle (Kreitzer) Salmon - Mrs Van Dann - The Diary of Anne Frank - Elora Community Theatre
E.B. Michael Austin - Major General Stanley - The Pirates of Penzance - Kincardine Theatre Guild
Charmaine Jacklin - Rose - The Last Romance - Theatre Sarnia
Robb Judd - Walsh - Rose's Dilemma - Cambridge Community Players

Winner: Nikki Wiltac - Annelle - Steel Magnolias - Theatre Tillsonburg

The London Community Players Award

Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role (2)

Lucas McHugh - Chip - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - St Marys Community Players
Cassandra Watsham - Mercutio - Romeo & Juliet: A Cyberpunk Story - Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre
Olivia Farquhar - Fraulein Kost - Cabaret - Theatre Woodstock
Shawn Chapman - Young Man-Opera Singer - The Last Romance - Theatre Sarnia
James Callaghan - Clifford - Cabaret - Theatre Woodstock

Winner: Shawn Chapman - Young Man-Opera Singer - The Last Romance - Theatre Sarnia

SPECIAL ADJUDICATOR'S AWARDS

Effective Scene Transitions

Sponsor: Shirley Steele

Cabaret - Theatre Woodstock
The Diary Of Anne Frank - Elora Community Theatre
The Pirates Of Penzance - Kincardine Theatre Guild
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Guelph Little Theatre
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - St Marys Community Players

Winner: The Pirates Of Penzance - Kincardine Theatre Guild

Best Coordinated Production / Stage Management

Sponsor: Shirley Steele

Dallas Neufeld, Chloe McGregor, Adam Tanton - The Play That Goes Wrong - Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts
Parth Vyas, Sam Stilson, Christena Jackson - The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Guelph Little Theatre
Jason Geberdt - The Pirates of Penzance - Kincardine Theatre Guild
Shane Monaghan - The Diary of Anne Frank - Elora Community Theatre
Michelle Spanik, Tricia Ward - Timepiece - Theatre Burlington

Winner: Dallas Neufeld, Chloe McGregor, Adam Tanton - The Play That Goes Wrong - Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts

Best Comedy Timing in a Duo, Trio, or Quartet

Sponsor: Owen Sound Little Theatre

Rick Ringer & Paula Mercer - Rita's Mom and Dad - Prelude to a Kiss - Owen Sound Little Theatre
Sue Garner, Colleen Zehr, Shannon Wijnker, Christina Shelly - The Ladies Foursome - Thistle Theatre
Sarah Taylor & Makayla Ashenden - Pigeon Sisters - The Odd Couple - London Community Players
Jack French, Brendan Linwood, Diem Morriswala - The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Guelph Little Theatre
Savannah Deluca, Isabelle Gerberdt, Paige Wade, Emily Cassidy - The Daughters - The Pirates of Penzance - Kincardine Theatre Guild

Winner: Savannah Deluca, Isabelle Gerberdt, Paige Wade, Emily Cassidy - The Daughters - The Pirates of Penzance - Kincardine Theatre Guild

Best Musical Direction

Sponsor: Owen Sound Little Theatre

Chuck Baxter - Cabaret - Theatre Woodstock
Clayton Peters - The Pirates of Penzance - Kincardine Theatre Guild
Marque Smith - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - St Marys Community Players

Winner: Clayton Peters - The Pirates of Penzance - Kincardine Theatre Guild

Best Prologue or Preset

Sponsors: Leise and Jim Peddie

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Prologue - Guelph Little Theatre
The Diary of Anne Frank - Intermission - Elora Community Theatre
The Last Romance - Preset - Theatre Sarnia
Dracula - Preset - Sun Parlour Players
Prelude To A Kiss - Preset - Owen Sound Little Theatre

Winner: The Diary of Anne Frank - Intermission - Elora Community Theatre

Excellence in Choreography or Stage Movement

Sponsors: Leise and Jim Peddie

Graham Banville and Jesse Lorusso - Choreographers -The Pirates of Penzance - Kincardine Theatre Guild
Lara Larmour - Choreographer - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - St Marys Community Players
Joey Larmour and Lara Larmour - Choreographers - Cabaret - Theatre Woodstock
John Hazelegar, and Doug Turvey - Directors - The Ladies Foursome - Thistle Theatre
Steve Sherry - Director - The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Guelph Little Theatre

Winner: Joey Larmour and Lara Larmour - Choreographers - Cabaret - Theatre Woodstock

Clever Choices in Staging

Sponsor: MJ Walzak

Jonathan C. Dietrich - Friar Lawrence as an AI - Romeo & Juliet: A Cyberpunk Story - Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre
Steve Sherry - Cast and Crew Teamwork - The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare - Guelph Little Theatre
Mike Lindsay - Designer - The Elevator Effect - The Play That Goes Wrong - Ingersoll Theatre of Performing Arts
Lorissa Sinasac, Sandra Blamires, Bridget Corbett, Lizz Heaslip - Props Crew - The Odd Couple - London Community Players
Michael C. Hannigan, Neil Palmer, John Spanik, Mark Collis, Dave Hutton - Stage Design-Crew - Timepiece - Theatre Burlington

Winner: Jonathan C. Dietrich - Friar Lawrence as an AI - Romeo & Juliet: A Cyberpunk Story - Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre

Most Memorable Moments

Sponsor: MJ Walzak

Cathy Moore - The letter monologue - Rose's Dilemma - Cambridge Community Players
William Brezden - Final Epilogue - The Diary of Anne Frank - Elora Community Theatre
Desmond Nanassy & Heather May - The in heat sequence - Sylvia - Elgin Theatre Guild, St. Thomas
Opening sequence Welcome - Cabaret - Theatre Woodstock
The tree - The Last Romance - Theatre Sarnia

Winner: William Brezden - Final Epilogue - The Diary of Anne Frank - Elora Community Theatre

OUT-OF-FESTIVAL AWARDS

The Mooney Award

Outstanding Director

Sponsors: Anne and Mark Mooney

Maureen Dwyer - Timepiece - Theatre Burlington
Jane Janes - The Last Romance - Theatre Sarnia
Francesca Brugnano - The Game's Afoot - Peninsula Players
Joey Larmour - Cabaret, Theatre Woodstock
Christine Mensher - The Pirates of Penzance - Kincardine Theatre Guild

Winner: Joey Larmour - Cabaret, Theatre Woodstock

The Inez Hayes Memorial Award

Outstanding Ensemble

Sponsor: Theatre Burlington

Cast - The Pirates of Penzance - Kincardine Theatre Guild
Cast - The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Guelph Little Theatre
Cast - Steel Magnolias - Theatre Tillsonburg
Cast - Cabaret - Theatre Woodstock
Cast - Romeo & Juliet: A Cyberpunk Story - Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre

Winner: Cast - The Pirates of Penzance - Kincardine Theatre Guild

The Elmira Theatre Company Award

Outstanding Visual Production

The Diary of Anne Frank - Elora Community Theatre
The Last Romance - Theatre Sarnia
Cabaret - Theatre Woodstock
Dracula - Sun Parlour Players, Leamington
The Game's Afoot - Peninsula Players, Grimsby

Winner: The Last Romance - Theatre Sarnia

The Kay McKie Memorial Award

Outstanding Production Out-of-Festival

Sponsor: Bruce McKie

The Last Romance - Theatre Sarnia
Cabaret - Theatre Woodstock
The Pirates of Penzance - Kincardine Theatre Guild
The Complete Works of William SHAKESPEARE - Guelph Little Theatre
The Game's Afoot - Peninsula Players

Winner: Cabaret - Theatre Woodstock

Festival 2025 Photographs

Click here to view the photographs taken by the Festival photographer, and by Bev Dietrich, and by Sue Garner.

Adjudications at Festival

By Ken Menzies, WODL Adjudications Chair, adjudications@wodl.on.ca

In May, Lindsay Price, the Festival adjudicator attended three plays at the WODL Festival in Leamington: Forever Love by Mike Grant about 2 people who reconnect later in life performed by Elmira Theatre Company: My Old Lady by Israel Horovitz and performed by Theatre Woodstock: and Halfway There by Norm Foster and performed by The Bank Theatre. After each play she gave a public adjudication of 10 to 15 minutes and then a detailed adjudication of about 2 hours the next day.

At each detailed adjudication, I sat towards the front in order to watch the response of the cast and the crew to her adjudication. I did this because I am a retired university professor and my teaching has been evaluated numerous times. What matters is not how good an analysis one gives, but whether your analysis holds the audience’s attention. This is best gauged by videoing the audience or sitting where one can see the audience’s reaction to the adjudicator.

Lindsay has written many plays, largely for high schools. She is the only person who was unable to adjudicate at Sears Festivals which are for high schools. Sears had a rule that a person cannot adjudicate one of their own plays and she was often in a position where she risked violating this rule. She used her knowledge of how to write, to ask questions of cast members. These questions asked cast members when they knew an important piece of information or when they decided on a particular course of action. These questions worked. They engaged the cast, crew and the audience. People enjoyed thinking about her questions. She drew useful distinctions such as between an action and an activity. She had people act the difference out which solidified her points.

She pointed out how in Halfway There many of the characters were halfway there on their own personal journey. I had seen Norm Foster largely as somebody who had a good ear for speech rhythms and capable of great one-liners. Obviously, I need to re-evaluate my position as he does much more.

WODL Festival 2025 - A Triumphant Celebration

By Corey Robertson, 2025 WODL Festival Chair, corey@wodl.on.ca

🎭 A Triumphant Celebration: 2025 WODL Festival in Leamington 🎭

Three productions. One unforgettable week. Endless inspiration.

The curtain has come down on the 2025 Western Ontario Drama League Festival, and what a remarkable week it was! Hosted in the vibrant town of Leamington at the beautifully restored Bank Theatre, this year’s Festival showcased the passion, creativity, and resilience of our region’s community theatre scene.

With just three productions in competition this year, each group had the opportunity to shine—and shine they did. Audiences were treated to exceptional work from:

Elmira Theatre Company,
Theatre Woodstock, and
The Bank Theatre (Leamington).

Each night brought something new to the stage—powerful performances, clever direction, and heartfelt storytelling that stirred the emotions and sparked meaningful conversations in the lobby and beyond. The diversity of styles and themes across the three productions was a testament to the artistic strength of WODL member groups.

Guiding us through the week with insight, wisdom, and warmth was our adjudicator, Lindsay Price. A renowned playwright and theatre educator, Lindsay brought a fresh and generous perspective to the nightly public adjudications and private sessions. Her thoughtful critiques challenged us to reflect on the choices we make as theatre artists—while her enthusiasm reminded us why we fell in love with this art form in the first place. Her presence elevated the entire experience for cast, crew, and audience alike.

In addition to the performances, the Festival featured a series of enriching work

shops that provided learning opportunities for theatre-makers at all levels:

🎭 Playwriting with Paula Wing offered attendees tools to bring their own stories to life on the page, blending structure, spontaneity, and the unique voice of each participant.

🎭 The Actor’s Gym with Trevor Smith-Diggins was an energizing and practical session focused on physicality, connection, and honing performance instincts through movement and ensemble exercises.

💡 Lighting Design with Mark Mooney demystified the art and craft of lighting, offering both technical guidance and creative inspiration to help bring visual storytelling to life on stage.

These workshops were extremely well-received and added an invaluable dimension to the Festival experience, encouraging artistic growth and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Let’s not forget the Hospitality Room, which quickly became a beloved gathering space throughout the week. Whether it was debriefing after a show, sharing stories over snacks, or making new connections late into the evening, the Hospitality Room embodied the heart of the Festival—community, conversation, and camaraderie. It was the place where friendships were renewed, theatre war stories were told, and laughter echoed well into the night.

The week culminated in the Awards Gala, a joyful evening celebrating excellence in acting, directing, design, and ensemble work. While only three productions competed, the depth of talent and the high production values ensured an exciting and meaningful awards ceremony. Applause, laughter, and heartfelt thanks filled the room as we recognized the dedication and artistry of everyone involved.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the incredible work of the Festival Committee and an outstanding team of volunteers. From coordinating accommodations and schedules to running front of house and backstage, staffing the workshops, and keeping the Hospitality Room buzzing, their efforts ensured the Festival was professional, welcoming, and truly memorable. The committee’s leadership, organization, and passion for theatre deserve a standing ovation of their own.

To the participating companies, the crews, the adjudicator, the workshop leaders, the audience members, the volunteers, and every person who played a role in this Festival—thank you. You’ve reminded us once again of the transformative power of live theatre and the joy of sharing it with one another.

We now look ahead with excitement to the 2026 WODL Festival, where we’ll gather once again to celebrate our shared love of the stage.

Until then—bravo!

Minifest

By Shirley Marshall, WODL 1st Vice President, shirleym@wodl.on.ca

Minifest is a go!!! We now have 4 groups registered for Minifest on July 25-26. Still room for 2 more groups so if you have been on the fence, please register before Sunday June 8 so we can adjust the schedule for the weekend, according to the number of groups.

If you are planning to attend the event, please follow the links on our Minifest page www.binbrooktheatre.ca/minifest to buy your weekend pass and book your hotel room (rooms will only be held at the Minifest price until mid-June).

We can't wait to see you all for Binbrook on the Rocks! Drink the Theatre Juice!

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 July 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

Cambridge Community Players

Killer One-Acts Auditions: Murder by the Book by Laura Teasdale, directed by Mallory Moxon-Carson and Trifles by Susan Glaspell, directed by Marley Sullivan on June 23 & 24, 7-10 pm.

Registration is now open for Summer Camps. Storytelling: July 7-11 and Performance Skills: July 14-18, 2025. Register on-line.

Elmira Theatre Company

Auditions for Willow Quartet by Joan Burrows, directed by Brian Otto are on June 7-8, 2025, at 7:00 pm at St. James Lutheran Church in Elmira.

Elora Community Theatre

The Secret Garden novel by Frances Burnet, adapted by Tim Kelly, directed by Michelle Salmon & Deb Stanson runs June 13-15, 2025 outside at the Elora Centre for the Arts.

Guelph Little Theatre

Auditions for The Game’s Afoot or Homes for the Holidays by Ken Ludwig June 2, 3, 5 from 6-10 pm.

The Ward One Acts 2025 will be performed July 3,4,5 at 7:00 pm and matinees July 5 & 6 at 2:00 pm. This year four new short plays have been written by local playwrights.

Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre

Scorched by Wajdi Mouawad, translated by Linda Gaboriau, directed by Hiyam Mahrat runs June 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29 with 7:30 pm curtain on Fridays and Saturdays & 2:00 pm curtain on Sundays.

Penny and Pound Theatre Productions

Auditions for Hello, Love A New Musical by Distel & Distel directed by Piper J. Distel and Lori Robinson Distel, Musical Direction by Lys Ashen Hill on June 2&3 6:00-10:00 pm at The Preston Legion in Cambridge.

Auditions for The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, adapted by Duncan Graham, directed by Piper J. Distel and Lori Robinson Distel on June 6 from 6:00-10:00 pm at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Cambridge.

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

The Play That Goes Wrong, June 4-8, 12-15

Auditions for The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be held June 17-18, 22, 24-25. Show goes up October-November.

https://www.thelivery.ca

Hanover Community Players

Auditions for School of Rock have taken place. Show goes up end of November, beginning of December.

http://hanovercommunityplayers.ca

Kincardine Theatre Guild

Auditions for Into the Woods June 7, 10 and 11. See the website for times and more audition information. Show goes up November-December.

http://www.kincardinetheatreguild.com

Owen Sound Little Theatre

Seven Stories, June 12-15, 18-21

http://www.roxytheatre.ca

Off the Wall - Upcoming Courses

By Michele Boniface, Chair, Off the Wall Stratford Artists Alliance, mboniface@cyg.net

Website: stratfordoffthewall.com

Facebook: @offthewallstrat

Instagram: @offthewallstratfordartists

Hashtags: #stratfordoffthewall #theatreproduction #backstage

Playwrights Canada Press

By Brandon Crone, Sales & Marketing Coordinator at Playwrights Canada Press, brandon@playwrightscanada.com

Check out these new books from Playwrights Canada Press!

Recently released:

Eraser by Bilal Baig and Sadie Epstein-Fine with Christol Bryan, Marina Gomes, Yousef Kadoura, Tijiki Morris, Anthony Perpuse, and Nathan Redburn, Illustrated by Cleopatria Peterson

An immersive experience, Eraser delves into the memories and fantasies of a classroom of students as they figure out who they want to be. Six students guide readers through their different journeys, taking them along to the cafeteria, change rooms, and playground, to the places where they feel safest and the most brave, vulnerable, and afraid. Finding a balance between tough realities and honest fantasies, Eraser is an energetic and sentimental look at what it’s like to navigate differences and connections as a kid.

The Extractionist by Michaela Jeffery

A young woman is missing. The prime suspect is an affluent member of the secretive Luminia organization. Enter Asha Ray, a deprogrammer who specializes in extracting people from dangerous cults. With no business card or office, Asha is known only by reputation—a last resort for desperate loved ones willing to work outside the law. Teaming up with retired detective Reuben Medina, she descends into a treacherous world of hidden motives and elite corruption. In this razor-sharp, neon-noir thriller, Asha and Reuben must work to outsmart a powerful predator and uncover the truth before time runs out.

The First Stone by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard

Can something torn apart by war be put together again? The First Stone is an epic-yet-intimate parable that explores the transformation of ancestral cycles of violence into healing and forgiveness. In a small village, two children are captured by an army and forced to commit unspeakable atrocities while their family longs for their return. Modelled after the civil conflicts in Uganda, this insightful drama follows the arduous plight of child abductees, the communities from which they are stolen, the determination to bring them home, and the hard road to reconciliation that follows.

ICEMEN by Vern Thiessen

A wealthy businessman wakes up bound and gagged in a utility shed, kidnapped by his own employees—brothers and icemen Joe and Rennie. In the midst of the Great Depression, the brothers’ ice harvesting livelihood in Kempenfelt Bay is melting away due to the advent of refrigeration, only to further line the pockets of their employers. Desperate to claim what is rightfully theirs, these honest workers turned reluctant captors will stop at nothing to bring their greedy boss to a final reckoning. ICEMEN by Governor General’s Literary Award–winning playwright Vern Thiessen is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that exposes the human cost of capitalism and asks, when the wealthy exploit the working class, who are the real criminals?

Coming soon:

Rise, Red River by Tara Beagan

A woman searches a dry riverbed with a makeshift plough, hoping to uncover stories amid a desolate, fire-ravaged landscape. Accompanied by an ancestor, she seeks secrets long hidden beneath the soil. Inspired by the organization Drag the Red, which searches for evidence of missing Indigenous women, girls, and 2 Spirit people in the Red River of Treaty One Territory, this ethereal drama honours those who persist through sorrow. Told in Anishinaabemowin, English, and French, Tara Beagan's play links the treatment of Indigenous peoples with environmental abuse. Fluid and majestic, Rise, Red River is an invocation, revelation, and call to action.

+ 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.

RS25 Conference & Trade Show - 21 June 2025 - London, Ontario

By, Samadhi Perera, Horizon Solutions, samadhi@horizonsolutions.net

RS25 Conference & Trade Show - Saturday, June 21, 2025

The Grand Theatre, London, Ontario

Whether you're working in community theatre, school theatre, or professional stage production, RS25 brings together the tools, training, and people who understand what it takes to run a great show from behind the scenes.

Seminars Tailored for Theatre

Learn practical skills in lighting control, creating mood with colour and gobos, stage monitor and in-ear setups, and choosing between video projection and LED walls — all focused on real-world production needs.

Hands-On “Sandbox” Exhibits

Try out gear in live mixing setups, compare microphones, test lighting control boards, and explore video tools in an interactive environment.

Meet the Brands

Connect with industry leaders like Digico, JBL, Audio-Technica, Meyer Sound, Panasonic, ETC, Chauvet, PTZOptics, Ultratec Effects, and more at the Trade Show.

Tickets:

Includes full-day access, your choice of 12 seminars, lunch, and snacks.

$60 Regular
$40 Student
10% off for groups of 5 or more

Don’t miss this one-day opportunity to sharpen your skills, test new tech, and connect with others working in live theatre and events.

For drama crews, tech teams, and anyone behind the scenes — RS25 is the next step.

_________

Contact Horizon Solutions for more information info@resourcestage.ca or https://www.resourcestage.ca/conference2025.

Playwrights Guild of Canada - Canadian Play Outlet

The Canadian Play Outlet has over 2000 Canadian Plays right at your fingertips. Looking for something specific? Check out the curated Collections.

Every month you can take a look at the newest unpublished and published plays available!

New plays, May2025

Canadian history plays

Concord Theatricals New Plays

See their latest scripts click here.

If you are Producing Canadian Plays this Season - Check This Out

The Playwrights Guild of Canada publicises productions of Canadian-written plays through its website, www.playwrightsguild.ca.

If you want to perform a Canadian play but cannot figure out where to obtain the amateur performance rights, view this presentation from PGC.

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

Dates for your Diary:

30 June 2025

Deadline for submissions for the July newsletter.

25 July & 26 July 2025

Minifest, Binbrook

This newsletter was prepared by:

Tricia Ward

Communications coordinator

WODL

Western Ontario Drama League | communications@wodl.on.c a | www.wodl.on.ca

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