Live theatre is making a bold return to downtown Barrie. From August 7 to 17, the Barrie Theatre Festival, powered by Theatre by the Bay, hits the stage with 32 performances, three curated series, and one clear goal: to make professional theatre more accessible, diverse, and exciting than ever before.
And yes … this year’s festival has been completely reimagined.
So, what does “reimagined” really mean?
It’s not just a rebrand. As Theater by the Bay's Managing Producer Glenn Coulson explains, "We looked at how to reinvent ourselves a little bit. We're going to enter our 25th year in 2026, [which is] very exciting. So that comes with some change ... "
Glenn continues, "Since the pandemic, a lot of theater companies went through a lot of change ... we were no different, we had to do some reinventing ... and make sure we build a sustainable theater company ... [so] that Theater by the Bay continues for another 25 years."
What are those changes?
The Barrie Theatre Festival builds on the foundation of the former Simcoe County Theatre Festival and expands it in a big way:
- Broader reach: Productions now feature both regional artists and award-winning acts from across Canada.
- All-ages programming: With a new series for young audiences, there’s something for everyone.
- Artist-first approach: 100% of ticket revenue goes to the artists. There’s no submission fee to apply.
Behind the scenes, Theatre by the Bay has also gone through a refresh … with a new board, new staff, and a renewed focus on sustainability and community partnerships.
3 Curated Series. 10 Days. 32 Performances.
The 2025 festival offers a packed schedule across three themed series, each with its own voice and audience in mind.
1. Canadian Series
This evening series (performances start at 8:30 PM) showcases nationally acclaimed talent. These are polished, professional productions, many fresh off stages like Stratford, Shaw, and the Toronto Fringe Festival.
"We have two amazing shows that are coming up that are Toronto Fringe Festival winners, so we're excited about that."
Glenn Coulson, Managing Producer
Must-see shows:
- 🎭 Crime After Crime (After Crime) – A genre-bending, physical comedy from Sex T-Rex (Aug 7–12)
- 🎶 Down Broadway Lane – A heartfelt, one-man musical revue by Danny Cannis (Aug 13–17, plus bonus matinee on Aug 17)
2. Central Ontario Series
Celebrating regional voices and emerging local creators, this series gives a platform to underrepresented artists and playwrights from Central Ontario.
Featured productions:
- ⚡ Daughter of the Country by Samantha Loney – A powerful, personal story of identity, loss, and legacy from a local Métis perspective
- 🤪 The Barrie Bard’s Blunder by Tomas Ketchum – Shakespeare meets small-town scandal in this laugh-out-loud original comedy
Many shows in this series can be paired as a double bill with Canadian Series productions for a fuller experience.
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3. Theatre for Young Audiences
Created for kids and families, these lively performances offer an affordable and memorable summer outing. Between-show activities include face painting, snacks, and surprises.
“Larissa Mayer and Nick Bailey, [out founders], always thought it was really important, to make sure that they're helping youth
Glenn Coulson, Managing Producer
and have something for kids. And so that's why we wanted to bring that back."
This year’s family features:
- 🟡 The Camp Campy Campfire Show – An interactive, choose-your-own-adventure stage story by Dan Boyer
- 🔵 Curious K Explores the Paleozoic – Music, laughter, and dino-sized fun from Kenton Blythe and Lise Cormier
Why It Matters
Barrie isn’t just growing in size … it’s growing in culture. And events like this help shape a more vibrant, inclusive arts scene.
As the festival approaches Theatre by the Bay’s 25th anniversary in 2026, organizers say this reinvention is about building a theatre company that will last for another 25 years.
They’ve kept what worked, brought in new voices, and stayed focused on making professional theatre more collaborative, more accessible, and more fun for everyone involved.
Event Details Facts
- 🗓 Dates: August 7 to 17, 2025
- 📍 Location: Five Points Theatre, Downtown Barrie
- 🎟 Tickets: $15 to $45 per show | $110 Festival Pass
- 🌐 More Info: theatrebythebay.com | barrietheatres.ca
Whether you're a lifelong theatre fan or just curious to see something new, the Barrie Theatre Festival is worth putting on your summer calendar.
It’s local.
It’s professional.
And it’s proof that the arts in Barrie are alive, thriving, and ready to take centre stage.
