"Peace is not only better than war, but infinitely more arduous." George Bernard Shaw Today is the International Day of Peace. "Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace. In 2021, as we heal from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are inspired to think creatively and collectively about how to help everyone recover better, how to build resilience, and how to transform our world into one that is more equal, more just, equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and healthier." Excerpt taken from the United Nations' International Day of Peace webpage (https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace) #ShareYourShaw #PeaceDay #InternationalDayOfPeace

In need of a little rest and relaxation this weekend? Head into nature, surround yourself with trees and press play on LOOK UP (2021). Experience theatre differently with this immersive audio encounter! Written by Shaw Ensemble member Damien Atkins, LOOK UP (2021) brings together the natural world, technology and the spoken word. "It has been scientifically documented by now that trees communicate with each other. And it is suspected that they communicate with us as well. LOOK UP (2021) is a meditation, a fantasy, an imagining of what we might hear from them, if we could only still ourselves long enough to listen." 🔗 For full information or to access the audio recording, click the link in our bio and select the "LOOK UP (2021)" button. 📸 Photo by Mary Clare Lamon 📍This experience was inspired by its location in Queen’s Royal Park, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. If travel to the location is not possible, we encourage you to surround yourself within a group of trees and press play. LOOK UP (2021) By DAMIEN ATKINS Featuring JASON CADIEUX, JULIE LUMSDEN, CHICK REID and TRAVIS SEETOO Creative Producer/Director, BRENLEY CHARKOW Recorded, Edited, and Mixed at FRESHLY SQUEEZED STUDIOS (Niagara Falls, ON) Engineer, JAY BATY [Image description: There are three large trees against the background of a blue sky. In the bottom left corner "Announcing LOOK UP (2021)" is written in white font on a semi-opaque grey background. In the top right is a white Shaw Festival logo.]

It's the last Saturday of summer and it marks our final SPEAKEASY (2021) of the season. An evening of Jazz hosted by Associate Music Director Ryan deSouza, featuring members of the Shaw Orchestra and special guests. Happy closing to all those involved with this wonderful series! [Image description: In the foreground you can see the back of a musician who is holding a large stand-up bass. He is surrounded by other musical instruments and music stands. In the background, you can see an audience (out of focus) sitting on a green lawn, with trees and fields in the background.]

More tickets are now available for TROUBLE IN MIND (2021) throughout September🎉 Get your tickets today! This increased inventory won't last long. 🎟 For tickets, call our Box Office at 1-800-511-7429 or click the link in our bio and select the "Tickets to our 2021 season" button. 📸 Nafeesa Monroe as Wiletta Mayer in TROUBLE IN MIND (2021). Photo by Lauren Garbutt. [Image description: On the right side of the image, Nafeesa sits in a a dark blue and black patterned dress, with her elbows resting on her legs and her right hand to her chin. She is looking out with a contemplative look on her face. On the left side of the image "Trouble in Mind" is written in white font, "More tickets added!" is written in red font and "for September performances" is written in yellow.]

Did you see our latest edition of our newsletter, Backstage Pass? If not, do not miss this interview with Sanjay Talwar, all about out taking FAIRGROUND (2021) and SHAWGROUND (2021) from conception to reality. "You've seen him on the Shaw stages for over seven seasons. But this year, Sanjay Talwar, is going behind the scenes. In an unusual year for theatre, ideas were needed on how to imagine theatre in different venues and as a result he has curated The Shaw's outdoor spectaculars FAIRGROUND (2021) and SHAWGROUND (2021). Both are fantastically fun and unique ways to experience theatre in beautiful natural settings. Sanjay answered some questions about how all this came about." 🔗 To read Sanjay Talwar's full interview, click the link in our bio and select the "Sanjay Talwar Interview" button. 🔗 To stay up-to-date on all the things happening around the Shaw Festival, click the link in our bio and select the "Sign up for our newsletter." button. 📸 Jenny L. Wright and her circus troupe Circo Paradisaea. Photo by Peter Andrew Lusztyk. [Image Description: In the foreground is a large rig that has three rings suspended above the ground. In each ring, there is a woman in costume balancing parallel to the ground with their right hands holding on to the ring and their left arms extended out. In the background sits a socially distanced audience with tall green trees behind them. The words "Pleasure ground" are written in a light blue text, in the top left corner of the image. "Discover Shawground and Fairground at The Shaw. The perfect way to experience theatre outdoors at The Shaw." is written in white font in the bottom left side of the image.]

📢 Announcing LOOK UP (2021). Experience theatre differently with this immersive audio encounter! Written by Shaw Ensemble member Damien Atkins, LOOK UP (2021) brings together the natural world, technology and the spoken word. "It has been scientifically documented by now that trees communicate with each other. And it is suspected that they communicate with us as well. LOOK UP (2021) is a meditation, a fantasy, an imagining of what we might hear from them, if we could only still ourselves long enough to listen." 🔗 For full information or to access the audio recording, click the link in our bio and select the "LOOK UP (2021)" button. 📸 Photo by Mary Clare Lamon 📍This experience was inspired by its location in Queen’s Royal Park, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. If travel to the location is not possible, we encourage you to surround yourself within a group of trees and press play. LOOK UP (2021) By DAMIEN ATKINS Featuring JASON CADIEUX, JULIE LUMSDEN, CHICK REID and TRAVIS SEETOO Creative Producer/Director, BRENLEY CHARKOW Recorded, Edited, and Mixed at FRESHLY SQUEEZED STUDIOS (Niagara Falls, ON) Engineer, JAY BATY Image description: There are three large trees against the background of a blue sky. In the bottom left corner "Announcing LOOK UP (2021)" is written in white font on a semi-opaque grey background. In the top left is a white Shaw Festival logo.

Kate Hennig, renowned Playwright and Director of Artist Development at the Shaw Festival sat down with Rhiannon Fleming in honour of International Literacy Day. Join us as she describes her writing process, how she got to where she is today, the extraordinary power of language, and more! Kate’s challenge to you: Read something, anything you can find, read the piece OUT LOUD… And see/feel how it changes! ⬇Drop us a note in the comments and tell us what you chose to read, and describe how it inspired you and/or changed your perception of it! #ShareYourShaw #InternationalLiteracyDay

On September 22, in accordance with the provincial government’s vaccine certificate program, all Shaw Festival patrons are required to provide proof they have completed their full vaccination regimen of either an approved Health Canada or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to attending a performance. 🔗 For full details, click the link in our bio and choose the 'Duty of Care' button. For additional information, please contact our Box Office at 1-800-511-7429.

It's 📸 Photo Friday 📸 and today we are taking a glimpse at KREUTZER SONATA (2021)! KREUTZER SONATA (2021) is a dramatic journey of music and text featuring the Blue Spruce Quartet as well as members of the Shaw Ensemble. 📆 KREUTZER SONATA (2021) runs until October 9, 2021. 🔗 For full information on the production, cast & creative teams, or to book your tickets, click the link in our bio and choose the 'Outdoors @ The Shaw' button. Tolstoy, Beethoven and Janáček Adapted and performed by: CAST: Fiona Byrne Shauna Thompson THE BLUE SPRUCE STRING QUARTET Erica Beston, Violin Alex Grant, Cello Nancy Kershaw, Violin Anna Redekop, Viola Music Direction by Paul Sportelli Stage Management by Allan Teichman The Humeniuk Foundation Stage design by Beyata Hackborn and Kara Pankiw. 📸 Shauna Thompson, Fiona Byrne and The Blue Spruce String Quartet: Nancy Kershaw, violin, Erica Beston, violin, Anna Redekop, viola, Alex Grant, cello in KREUTZER SONATA (2021) 📸 Shauna Thompson, Fiona Byrne and The Blue Spruce String Quartet: Nancy Kershaw, violin, Erica Beston, violin, Anna Redekop, viola, Alex Grant, cello in KREUTZER SONATA (2021) 📸 Shauna Thompson, Fiona Byrne and The Blue Spruce String Quartet: Nancy Kershaw, violin, Erica Beston, violin, Anna Redekop, viola, Alex Grant, cello in KREUTZER SONATA (2021) 📸 Shauna Thompson, Fiona Byrne and The Blue Spruce String Quartet: Nancy Kershaw, violin, Erica Beston, violin, Anna Redekop, viola, Alex Grant, cello in KREUTZER SONATA (2021) 📸 Shauna Thompson, Fiona Byrne and The Blue Spruce String Quartet: Nancy Kershaw, violin, Erica Beston, violin, Anna Redekop, viola, Alex Grant, cello in KREUTZER SONATA (2021) 📸 The Blue Spruce String Quartet: Nancy Kershaw, violin, Erica Beston, violin, Anna Redekop, viola, Alex Grant, cello in KREUTZER SONATA (2021) 📸 Fiona Byrne with Anna Redekop, viola, and Alex Grant, cello, of the The Blue Spruce String Quartet in KREUTZER SONATA (2021) *Due to character limits, the image descriptions appear in the comments of this post.

We are highlighting our @rbc Emerging Artists. This week, meet Shauna! Shauna Thompson, born in Etobicoke, Ontario, is in her third season at the Shaw Festival. Shauna originally attended @UofGuelph with the intention of becoming a veterinarian, but soon changed her major to English Literature and minored in French. After graduation, she attended @ent_nts and started on a successful path to the stage. What has been your favourite role? Playing Romeo in Romeo and Juliet with Repercussion Theatre in 2018. It was my first professional role out of theatre school. Got to spend my summer touring the show around the Montreal area with a stellar cast and crew. Who are your biggest influences or inspirations? Issa Rae, Beyoncé and Rihanna. Three boss women doing big things for the culture. We love Black women setting the bar and paving their own path! If you could work with anyone, who would it be? One day, I’d love to work with a bunch of my friends on a project of my own creation. It’s a secret for now though, so don’t watch that 👀 What is the best advice you have been given? “Your feelings are valid.” Every time. If something doesn’t feel right to you, speak on it! Our emotions are like a compass for our inner being. Follow what feels good. Do you have a hidden talent? I’ve become pretty good at guessing people’s astrological sun signs once I’ve met them. Describe what it feels like on opening night. Opening nights are like when you get to the highest point of the rollercoaster before the big drop. You’ve spent all this time working and waiting for this moment, climbing this massive hill. Feelings of excitement and nervousness in your stomach. Once you’ve reached that peak, you just get to enjoy all of the twists, turns and loops of the show’s run with all of the people who’ve agreed to come along with you for the ride. Do you have a favourite place in N-O-T-L? These days, it’s my balcony. Love being out there at night. I play some music and have a little dance party with the moon and stars. Where do you go when you want to feel a taste of home? I honestly just go home. I only live about an hour and a half away. That, or I call my mom.

Shaw Festival actor Sanjay Talwar and ensemble member Kelly Wong give us a rare glimpse behind the curtain, exploring all aspects of The Shaw. Wigs, wardrobe, scenic construction plus much more! This is a wonderful opportunity to witness the incredible intricacies of running a massive repertory theatre. Produced and Edited by Kelly Wong Written by Sanjay Talwar Original Music by Andy Ballantyne, Jason Logue, Ross MacIntyre, Rob Somerville #ShareYourShaw

🏏 The 46th Annual Shaw-Stratford Cricket Match happens this Monday, August 30!🏏 This hallowed tradition brings together players representing @shawfestival and @stratfest in a game all in the name of a good time for a great cause! You can help too! Consider making a donation to support the compassionate work of @afc_helps; https://afchelps.ca/cricket/ The details; 📍 Monday, August 30 at 12:30PM EDT, at the Niagara Cricket Centre: 5114 Thorold Townline Rd, Niagara Falls *If you are planning on coming down to watch, we're asking everyone to respect safe distancing and to Bring Your Own Everything (Chair, Umbrella, Food, Water, etc). It's going to be a #WicketGoodTime! 📸 Photo by Terry Babij