In 1978 Jim Schaefer became the founding Artistic Director of the Port Stanley Summer Theatre and brought live summer theatre to the North shore of Lake Erie. For 13 years the Port Stanley Summer Theatre provided community entertainment at the Village Hall making use of local themes, actors, and staff.
In 1991 Mr. Schaefer left Port Stanley and an interested group of local citizens stepped up, elected a Board of Directors, hired Pat Spadini as Artistic Director, and mounted an “emergency season” with two touring productions. 1992 marked the beginning of what has become the Port Stanley Festival Theatre with the production of a trio of Canadian works, “Up the Creek” by local playwright Mile Mulhern, “Toronto Mississippi” by Joan Macleod, and “Salt Water Moon” by David French.
Since Pat Spadini’s departure in 1998, four artistic directors, including Rick Kish, Victoria Kaeden, and Rona Waddington have contributed to the on-going growth of the Festival with a mixed program of both international and Canadian programming. During their time the Festival continued to develop new programs such as the summer Youth Camp and Community Show, increased the participation of professional artists, and purchased the Village Hall building from the municipality.
Former Artistic Director Simon Joynes joined the festival in 2005, and building on the successes of his predecessors, he has worked with a strong staff team, and a succession of committed Board Members to guide the theatre through a period of unprecedented growth. In 2007 the Festival became an Equity company under the auspices of CAEA, expanded their Youth Program with foundation support, began off-season music programming, and commenced an on-going process of strategic planning. In 2010 the theatre committed to make the development of new Canadian work a strategic priority with the establishment of an annual Playwrights’ Festival. Since 2010 the Port Stanley Festival Theatre has brought 10 premiere productions to its stage. In 2012 an all Canadian mandate was embraced for the summer programming, which the theatre proudly continues.
2017 marked the opening of the final phase of an ambitious $2 million rebuilding project, five years in the planning and three years in the construction, which included a totally refurbished performance space, new shop, administration, and backstage facilities, along with a gallery, new public space, and a roof top patio overlooking the harbour.
After a postponed season in 2020 and a truncated season in 2021 we came back with a full season in 2022. In 2023, the Port Stanley Festival Theatre offered 6 summer productions, the 12th Annual Playwrights’ Festival and the World Premiere of The Beaver Club, by Barb Scheffler, which was a sell-out smash hit! It also included a comprehensive program of Winter and Spring entertainment, and a variety of rental options for community use. The Beaver Club was such a sellout success that it is back for a two-week run to launch our 2024 season.
As we headed into the winter of 2023 with Simon Joynes and Associate AD Liz Gilroy planning an exciting line up for 2024, Simon fell ill and passed away unexpectedly in early February. In March, the theatre held a “Celebration of Simon.” Many people from the village of Port and the theatre community spoke to Simon’s many achievements; his strong moral compass, his mentorship of young actors, playwrights, directors, and athletes, his love of sailing, canines, red wine, scotch and his devotion to his spouse Dan and their daughter Fiona, whom he was immensely proud of.
There have been some changes, a little earlier than we all expected, but change that Simon had already set in motion. The Board officially appointed Liz Gilroy as the new Artistic Director in March, Tony Sclafani is now the General Manager, Joe Recchia is still our Production Manager and Denise Lunn is our Marketing Co-Ordinator. This team lead us into a dynamic 2024 season that included 6 summer productions, including the World Premier of Bigfoot !, by Ephraim Ellis, the expanded Simon Joynes Playwrights’ Festival which presented three nights of new works and Musical Mondays; live music on our gorgeous patio overlooking the harbour.
Our 2025 season consists of 6 summer productions, including the world premiere of goldfish by acclaimed actor and writer Steve Ross, 5 Musical Mondays on the patio, and some exciting new programming for the Fall, including International Superstars The Dreamboats! 2025 has something for everyone, so please join us in the theatre or on the patio. We can’t wait to welcome you back!
As always PSFT thanks all those who have contributed to the journey, who have helped us grow from modest beginnings to the vibrant and professional theatre we are today. Thank you to the staff, actors, technicians, and designers. A huge thank you to volunteers, Board Members, Simon Joynes, community partners, sponsors and granting bodies. Lastly but not least, thank you to our patrons for your continued support year after year and for giving us a reason to continue to tell our stories.
