I hope you are all enjoying the
fall and getting in the last of the Shaw’s performances before the Holiday
plays begin.
As you know, in each of our
newsletters we recognize a Guild volunteer to showcase the talent amongst our
“ranks” and to give our thanks. This manner of recognition gave me an idea to
recognize talent within the Shaw Company. And to give thanks. As such I would
like to take the opportunity to tell you about an amazing woman theatre
professional amongst us! This spotlight is on Kimberley Rampersad!
Kimberley was the keynote
speaker at a Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) St. Catharines Club
event I attended on September 9. She was introduced by Shaw Board member Jodey
Porter as “lightning in a bottle” and “presence itself.” Kimberley told the
story of her life, growing up in Winnipeg, where she thrived within the worlds
of dance and music. She described that she became curious about “making
theatre” and pursued that dream as she started working at Stratford in 2014.
She has now completed ten seasons as an actor at the Shaw and is in her eighth
season as Shaw’s Associate Artistic Director.
Kimberley spoke about her quest
to “use the ancient art of storytelling to activate our artistic selves.” She
described how “her art meets her politics and faith, whereby her art allows
love, curiosity and understanding.” Kimberley spoke so eloquently, and she
concluded by wishing the audience a “journey of creativity and curiosity.”
I was touched by her message
that unleashing creativity and curiosity can help us be our best selves and
positively influence others. I am continually impressed and inspired whenever I
hear Kimberley speak in a variety of capacities:
·
When
I have attended Director and Designer presentations with her and her creative
team, the connectedness of each member of her team is palpable! In each and
every instance, her team speaks of her gift of creative collaboration.
·
These
sentiments were echoed by Mary Antonini, ensemble artist and leading
lady, at the Shaw’s virtual Happy Hour on August 28. Mary described Kimberley’s
directing style as “exciting” and “wonderful to witness.” She credits
Kimberley’s work in Anything Goes, saying that “she understands how
different actors learn and adapts to their specific needs.” Mary added that
when Kimberley directed Blues for an Alabama Sky, she “brought the
actors into a space together, to honour each other and to work intimately with
her” and that “she expects actors to contribute ideas and allows actors to play
and cultivate their own choices.”
In my professional experience
as an executive and leadership coach, all of the above descriptors pertain to
an inclusive leader who genuinely engages her team to enable them to fulfill
their highest potential. Simply said, I think we can all agree — what an
amazingly inspiring woman!
I know the Shaw, the Guild, the
community and audiences look forward to experiencing much more to come from
Kimberley Rampersad’s creative leadership!
Pictured above - Sandy Henderson, Terry Rotella (President of the CFUW St Catharines), and Kimberley Rampersad
TIME TO THINK ABOUT SUBMITTING YOUR 2026 GUILD RENEWAL FEE!
At this time of the year, I give thanks for many things - in particular, the Guild’s wonderful volunteers. There is no doubt that we were an important part of the success of Shaw’s 2025 season across multiple stages.
We gardened, hosted, greeted, conducted backstage tours and facilitated post show discussions. We FUNraised at the Garden Tour in June and the Murder Mystery event in August. We helped at TheLion, The Witch and The Wardrobe pre-show workshops, The Art of Ideas conversations, the Mothers’ Day Tea and Fathers’ Day Scotch Tasting, and lent a helping hand for many other Shaw special projects. Our collective efforts made this year yet again, a year to remember. Everything we did was about connecting with our patrons, the Shaw and our town and we did it all with our usual positive and ‘let’s get it done’ attitude.
All 2025 memberships will expire on January 1, 2026 so please don’t let yours lapse. If you plan on being away over the winter, please make arrangements to pay before you leave.
There are two simple ways to pay the Guild renewal fee of $20:
E-transfer
Transfer your payment online with the name(s) of the renewing volunteer(s) toshawguildmembership@gmail.com. Your fee will be automatically deposited.
Mail
Send your cheque with the name(s) of the renewing volunteer(s) to:
As a reminder, if you are paying for someone with a different name than your own, please clearly state the name of the volunteer(s) on the E-transfer or on your cheque.
When your payment is received, your records will be updated in MVP.
Although it won’t be the same without the Royal George, the Shaw once again has planned another exciting season for 2026 and I look forward to seeing our Guild volunteers ‘out and about’ as we share our time and talents with those who truly love and appreciate live theatre. In the meantime, I hope your hearts, like mine, are full of thanks.
Heather MacNeil, Membership Chair
SHARON FRAYNE
I
remember a quiet NOTL—before the wineries and Shaw Festival. Dad owned the 1820
‘Cottage Hospital,’ on Queen Street, a few skipping-steps from the movie
theatre, which later became the Royal George. Back then, my grandmother owned
Niagara’s only costume shop. Things changed.
As a child, I loved to attend
early Courthouse productions with my family. Later, the local paper’s editor
(my aunt), asked me (a journalism student) to write articles on the Shaw.
Boldly, I suggested the Shaw offerings be broadened and extended, ticket prices
reduced for students and seniors, and contemporary and family-friendly shows
included. In 1973, when that teenage opinion was published, my parents figured
that I’d be banned for life.
After
high school, I left Niagara and the family farm for a career as a high school
Visual Art/English teacher and Administrator with the Halton District School
Board (HDSB). Happy days were spent on school productions – designing sets,
costumes, props and marketing.
Upon retirement, my husband and
I came ‘home’ to Niagara, and joined the Guild in 2022. Currently, I help the
Shaw Guild Garden Tour, securing the artists and musicians who appear at the
gardens. I am also a Docent, and taking enthusiastic students on backstage
tours with the amazing Docent team is my favourite activity. This year, I
assisted the Props Department with the Wardrobe located in the Festival Lobby.
I played the Detective in a late rehearsal of Murder-on-the-Lake (fantastic
experience!).
I’m an artist and published
author, avid gardener, outdoor enthusiast and happy dog owner. We’ve come full
circle, and continue the family tradition, grateful to bring our children and
grandchildren to the fabulous Shaw Festival!
BRAVO NIAGARA 2025-26 SEASON - DISCOUNT AVAILABLE FOR SHAW GUILD VOLUNTEERS
Bravo Niagara presents
extraordinary performing arts experiences featuring leading artists from across
Canada and around the world.
What a summer it has
been! Pop-up patios, Coffee Connections, a Garden Tour and a farewell to the
Spiegeltent.
As we look back on the
season, I hope you have registered for the Annual Volunteer Recognition event,
which is happening in just a few days’ time. As volunteers, we rightfully focus
on the service of others, but for just a couple of hours, let’s give ourselves
a little pat on the back, shall we?
Also, stay tuned
regarding a rehearsal and post-reception event for A Christmas Carol.
Patricia Pehar,
Volunteer Events Chair
BACKSTAGE NEWS
The Education teams had a very busy September with tours, conversations and workshops.
By the time you read this newsletter, the Continue the Conversation program will have finished for the season, with the last chat on October 4th. The team facilitated 118 conversations this season. Attendance at the post show chats was larger than ever this year and the feedback from our patrons was that this free program was a big plus for them when attending the Shaw. A big thank you to all the Guild Hosts and Greeters who let Shaw patrons know about the Continue the Conversation and promoted the program.
September was a busy month for the Docents when we saw the return in force of student groups for tours and workshops. Another highlight in September was Culture Days held from September 26-28th. We were able to offer tours to the public in both French and English! In the photo below are Docents Gail Kendall, Maggie Keaveney and Jack Hanna getting ready for tours for Culture Days.
The photo above shows Jeff
Richardson speaking and Bonnie Lamourie in purple.
The new tour of the
Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre was successfully rolled out and has been a great
addition to what we can offer to school and adult tour groups. Later in October
we will once again be participating in Open Doors Niagara on Oct. 18th with
five free backstage tours running on the hour from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The group of volunteers,
affectionately known as “Masketeers”, has finished the season of pre-show
workshops for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Rest up! Next season
we will be back with pre-show workshops for 3 of our family focused
productions.
If you still haven’t
been out for a backstage tour, we will continue with our Public tours on
Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. from November 1st to December 21st. Bring your
Guild ID and a friend to experience our behind the scenes look into making
theatre.
See you backstage!
Arlene Carson,
Education Programs Chair
As
we head into fall, we think about closing down our gardens. But the Garden Tour Committee is however in
full preparation mode searching and checking out the beautiful gardens in
Niagara on the Lake. We have the most
wonderful gardens already secured and you don’t want to miss joining us for our
20th year.
There will be more
information coming your way as we finalize the details to make this year’s
garden tour a huge success. Celebrating
20 years is such a milestone and worth much celebration. Not only will you be able to visit gardens
but there will be artists and musicians in the gardens to add to the enjoyment
of the day.
So please mark this
date on your 2026 calendars and get your tickets come Feb. 1.
We can’t wait to
celebrate with you.
Valerie Hancock, Garden
Tour Convenor
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