April 2026 Newsletter

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE - SANDY HENDERSON


I hope my message finds you well and, I am sure, counting the days until the Shaw shows start and all of the volunteer shifts are open for sign-up.

The Shaw is abuzz with rehearsals and, before you know it, the first performances will be onstage. Sleuth is first up and will be performed in the Court House Theatre from April 2–October 9. Not too long after the opening of Sleuth, we’ll be able to enjoy Funny Girl in the Festival Theatre from April 24–October 3.

As is our mission, the Guild exists to support the Shaw’s programs and projects. As part of our ongoing support this year, we’ll continue to volunteer as Greeters, Hosts, Gardeners, Docents, and Continue the Conversation (CTC) Facilitators. Many of us will also volunteer at the annual Garden Tour. We’ll also volunteer at the Family Workshops—check out Brenda Weafer’s article below about how to get involved in this enjoyable activity with children and their families.

For the past few years, the Shaw’s Community Outreach and Engagement department has been launching new programs. Some of the new programming is focused on supporting positive aging and includes scene study, memorization technique, voice training, theatre improv, dance and choreography, all delivered by professional artists and coaches in the company and community. As a recent advertisement for the programs says, “in this intersection of arts and aging, the imagination remains limitless.” These community programs will be supported by Guild volunteers.

Some of you had the opportunity last year to help the Development department with one of their major fundraisers, “The Shaw Shivaree,” plus many of you provided volunteer support for Opening Nights. I know your help was much appreciated.

If you have not explored some of these newer volunteer opportunities, please feel free to ask Susan MacDonald, Human Connection Programs Chair, (info@shawguild.ca) for additional information and how you can get involved.

As previously mentioned in the March newsletter, the Executive Committee has created a new Guild Code of Conduct . We have decided that since this is a year for transition to adopt all new volunteer requirements , that we will not be requiring an attestation of the code from you at this time Our plan is to monitor the feedback on this document until we feel it reflects the best practice for the Guild with the aim to bring this code of conduct forward as a bylaw change at the next AGM in Feb/March 2027). We are asking you to review the Code of Conduct to guide your actions while you are a volunteer with the Guild, and to provide us with feedback at anytime. You can access this document HERE at any time.

I want to take this opportunity to let you know that Alan Dyer has made a difficult decision to resign his role as Treasurer due to health priorities. I want to personally thank Alan Dyer for his significant contributions to the Guild during his tenure as Treasurer. I am sure you will join with me in wishing Alan all the best.

You will have seen the eblast that was sent to you to recruit for this position.  Joining the Executive Committee is another way to apply your skills and talents to help with the management of the Guild.

There are so many exciting volunteer opportunities as the Shaw continues to expand their programs. I hope you are as eager as I am to see these programs transition into the Shaw Artist’s Village and you are looking forward to the start of the 2026 Season. See you soon!!

As always, please feel free to connect with me anytime at president@shawguild.ca

VOLUNTEER EVENTS UNDERWAY!

The Volunteer Events calendar is officially underway!

We kicked things off March 22 with a visit to the Scene Shop, hosted by Lesslie Tunmer, Head of Scenic Construction, and Jana Bergsma, Head of Scenic Art. They gave our lucky group a sneak peek of what they have in the works for One for the Pot – a beautiful wooden archway on pneumatics- and for The Wind in the Willows, a beautiful massive garden-type mat.

Check out the photos here!

MORE TO COME

As the Events team makes final arrangements for the Shaw & Tell, taking place April 13, we hope those of you who have registered for the event – either with lunch or presentation only – are as excited as we are. We’re having a lot of fun with the Amadeus theme!

                                                                               Recent Events Team meeting to plan Amadeus-themed Shaw &Tell

SAVE-THE-DATES

Mark your calendar for Thursday, April 23 at 7pm – that’s when the Guild will be invited to watch a dress rehearsal of Funny Girl. An e-blast will be released soon with more information.  And get set to be among the first to check out the new Wardrobe department at the Shaw Artists’ Village on Thursday, April 30! Stay tuned for more information!

SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS & VIDEOS!

We want to see you in action! Send us photos and/or videos of you doing your thing -  whether it be hosting, greeting, workshopping, docenting (yes, we’re turning that into a verb!). Better yet, take a photo with a fellow volunteer or a group photo!

Why are we asking you for this? Once again, we want to compile a year-end montage video to unveil at the Annual Volunteer Recognition event. The video may also be posted on our website and social media channels. The 2025 video compilation proved to be a big hit, so let’s do it again! Be a part of the fun and start sending in your selfies to volunteerevents@shawguild.ca.

COMING SOON - THE RETURN OF THE GUILD GARDENERS!

While the temperature has been up and down, Spring is here and the Guild Gardeners will be returning to the gardens on April 7st (weather permitting).

The Gardeners will be in the Festival Theatre gardens every Tuesday morning, weather permitting, until Thanksgiving. You will find us digging, mulching, weeding, planting and watering in the gardens to create beautiful serene areas for all to enjoy.

Also looking forward to new gardens at the Shaw Artist Village in the late summer.

If you haven’t visited the Shaw Theatre gardens, come out and enjoy them.

20th ANNIVERSARY GARDEN TOUR

As we head into April, we begin to think of the re birth of our gardens as we see little sprouts popping their heads up from a long winter’s nap.  How happy we will be to herald in nicer days and warmer weather.  Our featured garden homeowners will also be looking forward to seeing their gardens awaken as they prepare to welcome us to share their gardens on June 13.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Shaw Guild website.  There are many options to chose from. Whether it be the general garden tour, the McArthur estate or a combination of the 2, you are sure to see wonderful gardens behind the gates of these lovely properties.  The McArthur Estate requires a separate ticket that will be a timed entry.  All options are posted on the website.

We will be welcoming visitors who have already purchased tickets who are travelling from the Niagara region, the GTA, Ottawa, Richmond Hill, Thornhill and other municipalities in Ontario.  From further afield our patrons are arriving from Nairobi, Florida, Oklahoma, New York, Barbados and Kentucky.  Our reach is far and near, and we want you to join us for this special day.

A hint of what you might expect:

The general garden tour ticket will give you access to 7 lovely gardens in Niagara on the Lake.  Many of the gardens will feature local artists and/or musicians who volunteer their time to entertain you and enhance your day’s experience.  Master Gardeners will be on site to answer your questions about the garden you are visiting and offer tips for your own spaces.

McArthur Estate is a 10 acre property with stately old tress, beautiful landscaping and plantings.  Music will float through the air as you stroll the grounds, an artist will be onsite painting in the garden, Regal florist will be on hand to demonstrate arranging flowers to name a few of the activities you might catch.

At McFarland House a pre ordered lunch or cream tea can be purchased and enjoyed on the Niagara Parks property.  To reserve call 905-468-3322 after May 17.  Menu selection will be posted on our website by May 17.

At the Pumphouse stroll though the rose garden, see plein artists at work and visit the exhibition in the arts center.  A Garden Tour information booth will be stationed here for anyone who has questions or needs any help.

We need you to volunteer your time to help make this a success.  Upon surveying past patrons to a fault our volunteers are recognized as the best.  Become a part of this wonderful team.

MVP OPENED FOR YOU TO SIGN UP ON MARCH 23.

Thank you to all who have signed up, we will see you on June 13th!

🌿 WIND IN THE WILLOWS FAMILY WORKSHOPS - JOIN THE FUN!

Looking for a volunteer opportunity that’s equal parts fun, meaningful, and full of energy? The Wind in the Willows Family Workshops are back—and we’d love to have you be part of the magic!

This season, workshops will take place before every performance of Wind in the Willows, welcoming groups of students, teachers, and families for an engaging, hands-on experience led by Shaw Education staff. And that’s where you come in!

🎭 What You’ll Do

Guild volunteers play a key role in creating a warm and welcoming environment. You’ll:

  • Arrive 1.5 hours before the performance to help set up

  • Greet and welcome participants as they arrive

  • Support the flow of workshop activities

  • Help tidy up after the session wraps

All shifts will take place at the Studio Theatre and surrounding Shaw grounds, giving you a chance to be right in the heart of the action.

⏰ How It Works

We’ll be offering training in early May, and once you’ve completed it, you’ll be able to sign up for 2-hour shifts through MVP.

💚 Why Join?

Our team last year had an incredible time supporting these workshops, and we are so grateful for their enthusiasm and dedication. We’re hoping to welcome many familiar faces back—and plenty of new ones too!

If you enjoy working with people, love a lively atmosphere, and want to contribute to a truly special experience, this is the perfect opportunity.

📩 Get Involved

Interested in joining the team? We’d love to hear from you!
Please reach out to Brenda Weafer at workshops@shawguild.ca to learn more or sign up.

See you on the ‘riverbank!’ 🐸🌼

IMPORTANT - CODE OF CONDUCT UPDATE

As previously mentioned, the Executive committee has created a new Code of Conduct . We are sending this document to you for your information and to guide your conduct while you are a volunteer with the Guild. We have decided that since this is a year for transition to adopt all new requirements , that we will not be requiring an attestation of the code from you at this time Our plan is to monitor the feedback on this document until we feel it reflects the best practice for the Guild and our aim is to bring this code of conduct forward ad a bylaw change at the next AGM in Feb/March 2027). To review the current code of conduct, please click HERE

TOWN PREVIEW PERFORMANCE DATES

For over 35 years, the Shaw Festival’s Town Preview Fund provides not only discounted tickets to the Niagara-on-the-Lake Community, but also serves as an invaluable community resource. With the purchase of a $25 ticket to select performances, patrons directly help raise funds that will be distributed amongst Niagara-on-the-Lake's charitable and not-for-profit organizations who have applied for funding for their vital projects. Past recipients include the Caribbean Workers Outreach Project, Canadian Cancer Society (NOTL branch), and the NOTL Community Palliative Care Service. 

Tickets for the Town Preview Fund performances of One for the Pot go on sale April 2nd. Call the Shaw Festival Box Office at 1-800-511-7429 to reserve your spot before they’re gone. Bring family, invite friends - or introduce someone new to the magic of the Shaw Festival.

TOWN PREVIEW PERFORMANCE DATES - ONE FOR THE POT: 

May 30 - 1pm

May 31 - 7pm

June 3 - 1pm

June 6 - 7pm 

Subject to availability. No cancellations, refunds or exchanges. Phone or in-person sales only. Tickets purchased prior to this offer are not eligible for discount and may not be exchanged for Town Preview tickets. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Handling fee applies. Limit of 4 tickets per household. Offer ends April 15.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT - JANET MARECKI

Janet has been a frequent visitor to NOTL for the past 40 years. With every visit, she would say to friends and family, I am going to retire here and volunteer at the Shaw. (sound familiar?)  Although she can't recall the first play she saw at the Shaw in the late 80s, she does remember being so enamoured that she purchased the lowest membership package then and there ( a new teacher at the time and living in Toronto),  She loved seeing the little paper invite taped to her seat to enjoy the patio lounge at intermission on each visit   She had arrived!  

Fast forward 40 years and Janet is now a resident of NOTL and has been a volunteer at the Shaw from the moment the moving truck left her driveway.  While both hosting and greeting, Janet loves the joy it brings to the patrons as well as herself.  She always leaves her shifts in a great mood, how could you not when the audience is so happy to be at the theatre? Janet marvels at how many new and wonderful people she has met in town simply by scanning tickets or greeting with other Guild Members she now calls friends. The Garden tour is also one of her favourite events to volunteer at, being outside in beautiful surroundings and enjoying the hard work of the homeowners and gardeners.  

Janet also sits on the Volunteer Events Committee for the Guild.  This holds a special place for her as she believes thanking Volunteers and making sure they know they are greatly appreciated is paramount to the success of the Guild as a whole.  

Janet is also a volunteer at the NOTL Museum and sits on the Niagara Polo Committee as their Volunteer Coordinator.  (hint hint if you would like to volunteer at Polo, you now know who to contact) Janet took on this role after her first visit to the Museum!    She is a history lover and taught Grade 7 and 8 history for years.  She would always bring her Grade 8 classes to town to experience the theatre and Fort George yearly. 

Janet is also a new Rotarian who was inspired to join this wonderful Service Club after attending her first holiday house tour, again just upon her arrival in town.  She had moved to town in late November of 2024 and had heard that the tour was in need of volunteers because a number of people had fallen ill.  She volunteered all weekend and was hooked.  Janet currently sits on the Holiday House Tour Planning Committee and also serves as a liaison between the homeowners and the Rotary leading up to the big weekend.    

In her spare time, Janet works the odd day at Style Canada in old town and loves the social part of that job as well.  Working in town has allowed Janet to be an Unofficial Ambassador for the Shaw Guild.    She has spoken to many newcomers while at work about the Guild, many of whom she now sees as Guild members! Janet is also an avid hiker and is currently 400 km into the End to End hike of the Bruce Trail.  Only 500 kms more to go! She is also a seasoned golfer who loves to play but never keeps her score!  

Janet has worn many hats; a mom of 2 wonderful children, a teacher, a realtor, a business owner specializing in home decor and furniture restoration,event planner and now professional Volunteer. You may see Janet walking or biking around town, or taking your photo at the Shaw for Volunteer Appreciation, or assisting Volunteers at Polo or just enjoying gelato in town.  She said being a part of and helping in the community as a whole was her goal moving here.  She feels she is getting there!

MOTHERS DAY TEA 

When: May 10, 2026

Time: 10-11am Workshop | 11am-12:30pm Tea

Where: Festival Theatre

Cost: Tea $85 | Tea & Workshop $95 | Theatre ticket extra 

Order a delectable High Tea box, filled with savoury sandwiches, scones and treats. Sidle up to the tea stand for a hot cuppa’ or glass of bubbly. Add the pre-tea workshop and craft an elegant fascinator. Make a day of it by taking in Funny Girl together. What better way to celebrate Mum?! 

Call 1-800-511-7429 to book

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