News

A warm welcome to our newest Governors Council members and Corporate Partners!

As of August 15, 2022

Lynne & Tony Ashworth Dr Fiona Blaikie & Mr John Pendergrast Ellen & Murray Blankstein John & Debi Coburn Jeffrey & Jessica Kahn Elliott Jacobson & Judy Malkin Ms. Marcia McClung & Franklyn J. Griffiths Home Instead Senior Care Wuchien Michael Than Richard Russell & Thomas Ouellette Gordon & Annette Thiessen Mr & Mrs Alan & Diane Walker John C. Williams

ANNOUNCING THE INAUGURAL INTAKE FOR THE BLACK SHOULDERS LEGACY AWARDS

The Black Shoulders Legacy Award is a groundbreaking initiative established by a national group of arts leaders in honour of Philip Akin upon his retirement as Artistic Director from Canada’s leading Black theatre company, Obsidian Theatre. It is the first award of its kind, solely dedicated to the success of Black Canadian theatre artists, ensuring creators are equipped with the skills to be at the top of their professional game.

The Shaw Festival was honoured to announce the inaugural Black Shoulders Legacy Awards at the Opening of August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean—directed by Philip Akin—on Friday August 19.

Gifts to the BSLA are invested by the Shaw Festival Endowment Foundation to support young-in-craft Black Canadian theatre artists through financial support, artistic guidance, and national promotion. Each year, up to five artists are awarded a minimum $5000 prize towards training and opportunities to grow their craft.

Philip Akin

→ TO LEARN MORE:

BSLA.CA → TO DONATE

TO THIS AWARD

CONTACT

LLANGLOIS@

SHAWFEST.COM

Announcing a Limited Time Special Offer of a new book

David Cooper Body of Work

Each copy includes a limited-edition print signed by David Cooper

David has spent much of the past forty years lugging his camera gear to the Shaw and Stratford Festivals in Ontario, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and performing arts companies large and small in between. In 2020 David was appointed to the Order of Canada.

David has been The Shaw’s company photographer for forty consecutive seasons. His book, Body of Work includes David’s production photography, his poster images and iconic portraits of treasured artists as well as an essay on David’s theatre photography by Christopher Newton, Artistic Director Emeritus of the Shaw Festival, and so much more.

To see more, or to order your limited edition of Body of Work, go to: fireflybooksstand.com

Major Funding Announcement

The Shaw was deeply saddened by the sudden passing in June of long-time supporter and board member, Victor Rice. Victor was so much more than an extraordinarily generous donor and past member of the Shaw Festival Board. As well as serving on our U.S. Foundation Board, where he was one of the first to join, he served as its current Vice President. Outside of The Shaw, Victor was an international businessman, philanthropist and champion of the arts and education.

Victor, along with his wife Corinne, a current Shaw board member, have been friends and wise advisors over several decades of The Shaw’s leadership, including particularly, the current team of Tim Carroll and Tim Jennings, as well as devoted fans who attended almost every play in every season.

In his remarks at the Opening of The Importance of Being Earnest, Tim Carroll dedicated the performance to Victor, saying, “Victor never missed an Opening in more than 40 years, and I will miss hearing that great infectious laugh of his.”

The Shaw was honoured to be included as one of the charities, along with Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, named by the family for those who would like to make a gift in Victor’s memory. If you wish to make a donation in his memory you can do so in the following ways:

By Mail (Canadian Donors):

Shaw Festival PO Box 774 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0 (Payable to Shaw Festival Theatre)

By Mail (U.S. Donors):

Shaw Festival Foundation PO Box 628 Lewiston, NY 14092-9819 (Payable to Shaw Festival Foundation)

Donate online:

shawfest.com/donate

Donate by phone:

289–783–1924

On a beautiful August morning in The Shaw gardens, Minister Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, Ontario, on behalf of the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced a non-repayable investment of over $6 million to support the Shaw Festival’s recovery from the impacts of COVID.

Both Tim Carroll and Tim Jennings were on hand to thank the Minister and FedDev Ontario for this tremendous investment in the Shaw Festival. As Minister Bittle stated: “This investment, through the Major Festivals and Events Support Initiative (MFESI), will help the Shaw Festival return to its pre-pandemic scale this season with 13 shows, a new concert series and Fairground and Shawground events. This investment will create a positive ripple effect across the Niagara Region’s tourism and hospitality sectors, strengthen southern Ontario’s position as a tourism destination of choice and position the Shaw Festival for strong growth.”

To learn more: feddevontario.gc.ca