Visiting the Thousand Islands Playhouse: A True Cultural Gem in Gananoque, Ontario
The 1000 Islands Playhouse has been a staple in the Canadian arts space for over 40 years, and as “Canada’s Dockside Theatre,” its a place quite unlike any other. They’ve showcased some of Canada’s best and brightest, and have never stopped trying to grow, evolve, and not only be a place that’s pushing ever forward for the community, but by that very community. In the 1000 Islands Region and Southeastern Ontario at large, it’s a must stop.
Bri and I came early on the day of the performance to see “Canada’s Dockside Theatre” in full light. Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
It can be easy to forget, at times, that the cultural institutions that not that only define, but reflect our communities, ultimately rely on the support of those very communities.
We see places like the Thousand Islands Playhouse, with a history extending back to the early 1980s, as places that will always be there, but that’s only true if folks like you and I take the time to appreciate the positive reverberations that a place like this can have for the surrounding community and region at large.
Now, we have a certain bias, what with Bri and I both studying English Literature in our undergrad, and with her specialization in drama as well, but I feel as if, broadly speaking, we’re in a moment of time where it’s never been easier to isolate and segment ourselves from the greater community.
We can order food to our doorsteps, consume media from our couches, get news from all capped bulletins that arrive on our phones — and while all that is convenient, it’s not a replacement for the genuine connection that is instigated by a theatrical performance. We eat dinner beforehand, supporting a local restaurant, then arrive at the theatre, purchasing a local beer or glass of wine, and then the lights dim, and we are transported to another place, far from the comfort of our couch, and yet amongst the comfort of our peers.
Without a word to our neighbour, we can laugh together, feel each other’s presence, and inherently understand that a team of people worked on something they deserve to be proud of, and their success is contingent on our being there, being present, and being open to what will unfold.
To some, it’s “just a play,” but places like the Thousand Islands Playhouse serve as an important reminders that our struggles, our triumphs, and everything in between, is all part of the human experience. A playhouse like this, is an invitation to not only have a night out (and very likely deservedly so), but also an invitation to empathize with the experience of others, fictional or not. It’s a reminder that, both literally and figuratively, we’re not alone — and that’s something worth acknowledging and celebrating.
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How the 1000 Islands Playhouse Came to Be
Just in case you were wondering why it was called “Canada’s Dockside Theatre.” Photo Credit: Christopher Mitchell
CBC Radio has called the Thousand Islands Playhouse “the most charming theatre in Canada.” How did this all go from an idea to a theatre that has gained recognition and acclaim not only in Ontario, but in Canada as a whole?
In 1982, Greg Wanless and a passionate group of community members purchased the Ganonoque Canoe Club from the local Rotary club. In just a few months, it was converted into a 360 seat theatre, right on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. It’s now called the “Springer Theatre.”
This leadership team, alongside local actors, designers, directors, and scenic artists, began to showcase comedies, musicals, classic programs and more. By the mid 1980s, attendance tripled, and the Thousand Islands Playhouse continued to grow. In the early 2000s, the Firehall Theatre was added as a second performance area. It was originally built as a Gananoque Armoury in 1913, which was then converted into a 120 seat black box theatre.
In the beginning, it was all about three-show seasons, but now it’s an eight show, two venue non-profit theatre that welcomes nearly 50,000 attendees per year. The 1000 Islands Playhouse was eventually recognized as one of the top theatres in Ontario, with a regional impact of around $10 million per year.
Nowadays, 100% of the each season’s programming features Canadian professional talent, and around 80% of the content was written by Canadian writers. It’s the largest theatre between Toronto, Ottawa, and Montréal, and it’s a place that welcomes lovers of live performances. Since 1993, they’ve also encouraged children to come on by through their Thousand Islands Young Company, and offer training for aspiring professionals.
Recently, both theatres have gone through upgrades and renovations, and they’re both photogenic in their own right, and serve as a cultural hub that is based in Gananoque, but encourages locals and visitors from Eastern Ontario at large to come on down to visit, as there’s always a new show on the horizon.
Attending a Performance at the Playhouse
When Bri and I visited, we were lucky enough to catch a performance of 9-5, which many of you many know contains music and lyrics from the one and only Dolly Parton. It was fun, and I always find that, when there’s comedy involved, it offers an excellent way for the audience to not only connect with the performers, but connect with each other.
It’s why you come to the theatre, in short.
We decided we’d make a night out of it. We arrived in the early afternoon, checked in at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites 1000 Islands-Gananoque, had a magnificent dinner at our favourite restaurant in Gananoque, Riva, then headed to the Playhouse a little early to snap some photos of the Playhouse from the dock, beautifully lit up at night.
Before, during the intermission, and after the performance, you’ll have a moment to enjoy the unique scenery and feeling around the Playhouse, which I think is pretty important considering we’re talking about “Canada’s Dockside Theatre.” They’ve got some local beer on offer as well, if that’s to your liking.
Taking a moment outside during the intermission was awfully pleasant, but it’s also clear they’ve put a lot of time and effort (and money, you’d have to think) into the seating areas inside, which are elegant without being pretentious, and perfectly fitting to the inviting and welcome atmosphere.
To come back to some of what I was noting in the beginning of this here article, I think it has to be mentioned that, a lot of the time when we’re looking to go out (ie. a good reason to leave the comfort of our respective homes), we want an experience. That is what the Thousand Island Playhouse provides.
When we walked out, we walked alongside people we experienced something real with. There were shared smiles and laughter, and there was something deeply wholesome and validating about it. It was the sort of feeling that urges you to realize that, the hard work of the staff and the performers at this theatre — well, it’s worth every drop of sweat they poured into it. It creates real, positive ripples for the folks who attend.
If you’re keen to be a part of that, you can visit the Box Office in person, but it’s easiest to look at the upcoming schedule and buy tickets online. If I was a little closer to this Playhouse, I know Bri and I would also consider getting a subscription, as you get the best prices, seats, free exchanges, and you can bring a friends and family for 10% off.
There’s a lot going on on the education and engagement front as well, for readers who are interested. Kids camps, theatre and production tours, “Dock Talks,” and a whole lot more.
I know that Bri and I feel immensely blessed to have a loyal readership that is always looking to get the most out of their travels and cultural experiences, and part of that is being informed. So, on that note, we’d also love to put eyes on the very useful FAQ page that the Playhouse has put together for attendees.
By the Community, For the Community
Especially when the weather is less than favourable, it can be easy for weeks and months to feel like they roll by, and you can be hard-pressed to remember anything more than doing what’s required of us each day — which, it turns out, in retrospect, we can’t remember.
And to me, that’s why a place like the Thousand Islands Playhouse is so critical. I can’t personally remember what I did in Toronto in the days leading up to this adventure, but I can remember my time here, being totally swept away by the performance and the aesthetic of the Playhouse, with an utterly clear recall.
It’s not just the performance I remember, 9-5, which was great in its own right, but being a part of something larger than myself. Applauding the performers who poured their heart and soul into this, the welcoming look of the attendees behind the bar during the intermission, and sitting beside folks who I didn’t know, yet I knew we shared something in common - supporting the arts, and rightfully so.
This is a success story that is unique to this community, and to the team at this Playhouse. With its location, its history, and its performances, it’s a place unlike any other, and as someone who has been fortunate to experience so much around this province, the 1000 Islands Playhouse holds a special place in my heart, and it was easy to pour time and energy into this piece, because I believe it can hold a special place in your heart as well.
We’d like to thank Southeastern Ontario for hosting us as media. All opinions expressed are our own.