Simcoe County is overflowing with talented writers, producers and performers. To celebrate these individuals, Theatre by the Bay is bringing an all-new festival to the Barrie area.
The Simcoe County Theatre Festival will take place from June 15-26 and will include workshops and networking events for local artists. More importantly, the festival will provide an opportunity for artists to show off their skills.
“The Festival will be a fantastic showcase of the amazing talent in Simcoe County and a celebration of local theatre in the area,” says Artistic Director, Iain Moggach. “It is so exciting to see the collaborations happening and the range of productions we have in store for our inaugural year.”
To showcase their talent, artists will write, direct and perform original one act plays at Five Points Theatre.
What Will Be Playing At The Simcoe County Theatre Festival
The festival will include 6 plays with multiple showings throughout the week. Each show will be approximately 45 minutes long.
The 6 plays that will premiere at the first ever Simcoe County Theatre Festival are:
B-O-D-Y
Created by Black Cat Theatre Co. and directed by Sabrina Merks
Framed as a letter to our younger selves, B-O-D-Y uses the collective's real-life experience to explore the trauma, mental health, grief and thoughts that live, and sometimes get stuck, within ourselves and our bodies. It will offer a chance for self-reflection, a chance to be seen, and a hopeful perspective on how we can move our bodies forward from here.
“I” on the Prize
Written by Trudee Romanek and directed by Stephen Bainborough
When a newcomer arrives at a small Ontario church during a BINGO night, the regulars are suspicious. But as this fast-paced comedy continues, “I” on the Prize will explore what charity and giving actually look like. And it will show how much is possible when we make space for others.
Barrie, Europa
Written by Kristian Diesen and directed by Rochelle Reynolds
This fast-paced comedy shares the City’s journey to become an ambassador human settlement on Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons.
Murth Island
Written by Alexandra Gaudet and directed by Keara Voo
As a group of children play make believe on an island in Southern Ontario, imagination and reality collide. The children soon uncover family secrets buried deep in the island's roots.
Retrograde
Written by Jackson Doner and directed by Ashley Frederick.
Three music lovers in their early twenties meet at a semi-legal concert during the pandemic. This music-play follows their sessions of trying to figure out how to make their mark and examines what it’s like being Gen Z in a COVID world.
The Cowgirl of Suburbia
Written by Megan Adam and directed by Stacey Schat
A young woman looks to a painting of a cowboy to help her navigate a strenuous relationship.
Ticket Prices
There will be 2 shows featured every weeknight and on Sunday afternoons. Tickets for these shows will be $25 + HST.
Saturdays will feature all 6 shows, divided into 2 blocks of 3. Saturday tickets will be $35 and will include 3 shows in either the afternoon or evening.
Festival passes will also be available and will give you access to all 6 shows for $60. You can use this pass to watch:
- 2 shows a day for 3 weeknights/Sunday;
- All 6 shows on a single Saturday; OR
- 3 shows each Saturday
Youth under 25 years of age may use the promo code FESTIVAL to get 20% off. Single show tickets will not be available.
To find out more about purchasing tickets, please visit the Simcoe County Theatre Festival website.
Show Schedule
The schedule of performances is as follows:
June 15th
7:30 to 8:15 PM - Murth Island
8:35 to 9:20 PM - Barrie, Europa
June 16th
7:30 to 8:15 PM - “I” on the Prize
8:35 to 9:20 PM - Retrograde
June 17th
7:30 to 8:15 PM - B-O-D-Y
8:35 to 9:20 PM - The Cowgirl of Suburbia
June 18th
1:30 to 2:15 PM - Murth Island
2:35 to 3:20 PM - Retrograde
3:40 to 4:25 PM - “I” on the Prize
6:05 to 6:50 PM - Barrie, Europa
7:10 to 7:55 PM - B-O-D-Y
8:15 to 9:00 PM - The Cowgirl of Suburbia
June 19th
1:30 to 2:15 PM - Murth’s Island
2:35 to 3:20 PM - Barrie, Europa
June 21st
7:30 to 8:15 PM - “I” on the Prize
8:35 to 9:20 PM - Retrograde
June 22nd
7:30 to 8:15 PM - B-O-D-Y
8:35 to 9:20 PM - The Cowgirl of Suburbia
June 23rd
7:30 to 8:15 PM - Murth’s Island
8:35 to 9:20 PM - Barrie, Europa
June 24th
7:30 to 8:15 PM - “I” on the Prize
8:35 to 9:20 PM - Retrograde
June 25th
1:30 to 2:15 PM - Murth Island
2:35 to 3:20 PM - Retrograde
3:40 to 4:25 PM - “I” on the Prize
6:05 to 6:50 PM - Barrie, Europa
7:10 to 7:55 PM - B-O-D-Y
8:15 to 9:00 PM - The Cowgirl of Suburbia
June 26th
1:30 to 2:15 PM - B-O-D-Y
2:35 to 3:20 PM - The Cowgirl of Suburbia
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