Guild Festival Theatre (GFT) is delighted to announce Beyond The Stage, a summer of live and online programming that brings theatre to the neighbourhood at a time when the neighbourhood can't come to the theatre. 

Given the ongoing impact of COVID-19, Guild Festival Theatre is bringing joy, fun, and a sense of community to Guildwood with free performances throughout the summer! 

Kicking off the summer season on July 25 is a special parade and performance for the local long-term care facility, Extendicare Guildwood. This opening performance is a celebration of our community’s resilience and a show of appreciation for the healthcare workers, essential workers and residents. This special event also features a guest appearance by the Scarborough Uke Jam.

Our main event this summer is the Porch Play Series, running from July 31 - August 15. Performed on lawns and driveways throughout the neighbourhood, this mix of music, dance and puppetry is inspired by our original season of Alice in Wonderland and Salt-Water Moon and will be appreciated by local audiences from the safe distance of their own porches.

We know that many people will not be able to visit Guildwood this summer to experience the performances in person, so we are also presenting weekly online experiences, launching July 23. Featuring songs, scenes, and interviews from our company of artists, these online experiences also encourage families to get creative with interactive games and crafts inspired by our live shows.

This reimagined season features performers originally scheduled for GFT's summer productions of Alice in Wonderland and Salt-Water Moon: Ellen Denny, Alex Furber, Izzi Nagel, Zita Nyarady, Jennifer Villaverde, Michael Williamson, Alten Wilmot, and Kiana Woo. Joining the performance company are GFT's co-Artistic Directors Helen Juvonen & Tyler J. Seguin as well as local musician Jay Moonah. These performances feature production design by Nancy Anne Perrin and musical arrangements by Alex Eddington. 

Beyond The Stage will also include special guests and surprise performances so stay tuned to our social media to find out about last-minute announcements and pop-up experiences!

The health of our artists and community is of the utmost importanceand GFT is implementing a number of protocols to ensure that the cast, crew and audience remain safe throughout these activities. During Porch Plays, the audience maintains physical distance by remaining on their own property and only the households immediately adjacent to the host will be informed of the performance in advance in order to prevent gatherings and crowds. Performers will be masked whenever possible, while staging and choreography accommodates physical distancing guidelines.

More information about live performances and online activities, including performer bios, will be available on GFT’s website. 

Beyond The Stage at a glance

Parade: July 25
Porch Plays: July 31 - August 15
Online: July 23 - August 22

Cost: Free! (donations are welcome)guild

About Guild Festival Theatre

Since its first production in 2011, Guild Festival Theatre has revitalized Toronto’s historic Guild Park with popular open-air performances at the Greek Theatre. GFT’s productions include Anne, Pygmalion, Romeo & Juliet, The Importance of Being Earnest and The Cherry Orchard. 

For more information, visit www.guildfestivaltheatre.ca