Evening entertainment at the cottage often means a bonfire with s’mores and a few drinks. While we love sitting around and sharing stories with friends and family, there’s something special about venturing into town for some fun after the sun goes down. Why not support your local community by heading to the theatre? Whether you want a laugh, a good cry, or to sing along, these are the cottage-area theatre companies worth a curtain call.
Tweed & Company Theatre, Multiple Locations
With three locations throughout Hastings County, this theatre company performs musicals featuring both Broadway hits and local Canadian works during the summer season. It brings in paid actors for professional performances—something not all theatre companies can afford to do. Anne of Green Gables—The Musical hits the Bancroft Village Playhouse in July, but you can catch seasonal shows, concerts, and comedy acts year-round too.
Globus Theatre at Lakeview Arts Barn, Bobcaygeon, Ont.
If you’re in the Kawartha Lakes area, a night at this former cattle barn is a must. The 150-seat venue has been hosting the Globus Theatre for 20 seasons, showing everything from comedies to murder mysteries, with a focus on Canadian content. Check out the world premiere of The Dating Game or the Manitoulin Island-based Who Are You this summer.
Thousand Islands Playhouse, Gananoque, Ont.
You won’t believe the crowd this waterfront theatre pulls in, given that the town it’s located in has a population of only 5,000. Situated right along the St. Lawrence River, the Thousand Islands Playhouse has two performance houses: the Springer Theatre, an old local canoe club, and the Firehall Theatre, formerly the Gananoque Armoury. This area is steeped in history, so you’ll want to walk around and take in the shoreline before catching a performance. This summer, expect big numbers at the month-long run of Mamma Mia!
Huntsville Theatre Company, Huntsville, Ont.
If you’re looking for a theatre with true community spirit, you have to stop here for interactive performances, master classes and workshops, concerts, and tons of youth programming. If you have the acting bug, we suggest attending one of the auditioning or movement workshops throughout the year. Or experience the talent this company boasts at a summertime show.
The Stirling Festival Theatre, Stirling, Ont.
Located just outside Prince Edward County, this theatre is all about having a good time. From dinner theatre experiences to classic shows such as Godspell, there’s always something fun going on. If you’re in the area throughout the summer season, check out the volunteer opportunities or become a member for discounted tickets.
Dreamcoat Fantasy Theatre, North Bay, Ont.
It’s all about children at this musical theatre! The company produces five shows a year, four casting children 5-14 and one with an adult/family mix. Head here if you’re cottaging with kids over the summer. Although the 2024 season has yet to be announced, past shows include Finding Nemo Jr. and Matilda: The Musical.
Rising Tide Theatre, Trinity, Nfld.
This waterfront theatre embraces its history and addresses controversial East Coast issues through its art. Every summer, it holds the Trinity Pageant, an interactive performance that takes visitors through the streets of Trinity, where you’ll meet characters of the past and learn what makes Newfoundland the joyous, colourful place that it is. The 2024 season, including Trinity Pageant dates, will be announced April 18.
Ship’s Company Theatre, Parrsboro, N.S.
The first play ever performed by this theatre company was aboard a dilapidated ferry in 1984. Today, three stages offer popular travelling pieces, dedicated Atlantic province-related plays, and children’s shows. Ship’s Company comes alive in the summer with drama camps for families who plan to stay out East, an outdoor theatre series, sessions with playwrights, and live music.
Rosebud Theatre, Rosebud, Alta.
Rosebud is a prairie hamlet nestled along a river with views of wheat fields and badlands—a stunning backdrop for a vibrant theatre company that keeps the town on the map. It started as a summer camp for Calgary youth to visit rural Alberta and quickly grew into a theatre, an art school, and a mercantile. Expect full-blown productions featuring some of Canada’s best talent performing Little Women: The Broadway Musical most days of the week this summer.
Heritage Playhouse, Gibsons, B.C.
This theatre was built by the community, for the community. It started as a multi-purpose event space for basketball games, town meetings, and fairs in 1929. In the ’90s, the local heritage society and the town repurposed it into a 146-seat venue for performance lovers to watch their favourite shows. It has since become the heart of the community. Heritage Playhouse welcomes any travelling talent, including Players groups, comedy nights, dance productions, and even magicians.
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