In late 2020, the Guild Festival Theatre (GFT) received the good news that it was going to receive a $58,800 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation(OTF) to help it continue to create theatre in Guild Park during one of the most difficult eras in Canadian theatre history. The Resilient Communities Fund grant program was developed by OTF to help non-profit groups rebound and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

“We are so fortunate to have the Guild Festival Theatre (GFT) as an integral part of our Scarborough community,” said Mitzie Hunter, MPP. “Over the past ten years, we have experienced its outstanding contributions to our local artistic and cultural fabric. As MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood, I am delighted that the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund grant has supported the GFT in continuing its programming amid the ongoing public health crisis."

The OTF grant has helped GFT present a full festival season of plays and music in 2021 whilst following COVID-19 guidelines. Earlier this summer, GFT presented the Song & Story Series, featuring a variety of local performers. Salt-Water Moon by David French and directed by Co-Artistic Director Helen Juvonen, played for a sold-out run at the Greek Theatre in Guild Park and went on tour at the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival in Prescott, Ontario. Alice in Wonderland also enjoyed a completely sold-out run with a waitlist for tickets. Having successfully completed  its most ambitious season to date, GFT is more grateful than ever for the OTF’s support.

"The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant is massive. Theatre and performing arts has been one of hardest hit sectors in this time and support for the arts is a crucial part of Ontario's recovery,” said Tyler J. Seguin, Co-Artistic Director of Guild Festival Theatre.

Funds from the OTF grant have been used to help develop new fundraising strategies, provide more online ticket purchases, and onsite contactless purchases, develop audience COVID protocols and enable more staff to work remotely. 

“This grant has helped us continue doing what we do best as a company, bringing theatre, music, and storytelling to Guild Park and its community,” adds Co-Artistic Director, Helen Juvonen. “This year we're also excited to have shared our work with another community by touring Salt-Water Moon to Prescott, Ontario."

Guild Festival Theatre Presents Dusk Dances

In partnership with the renowned Toronto dance festival, Dusk Dances, GFT will be presenting Dusk Dances Scarborough at the Greek Theatre in Guild Park on September 21st & 22nd. These events include live music and dance performances as well as screening of Dusk Dances 2021: A Virtual Edition, a festival of short dance films. Tickets are by donation, but must be reserved in advance: www.guildfestivaltheatre.ca.

Guild Festival Theatre is committed to preserving the legacy of Guild Park and growing with the community each year as new casts and creative teams rehearse and perform at the Greek Theatre. If you wish to learn more about Guild Festival Theatre’s 10th Anniversary Season and visit Guild Park to watch one of their plays, please visit Guild Festival Theatre’s website at: www.guildfestivaltheatre.ca.