4th Line Theatre Welcomes Megan Murphy As Associate Artistic Director And Announces New Production In The Works

Megan Murphy has joined the 4th Line Theatre as associate artistic director - special projects, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of 4th Line Theatre.

Murphy will be guiding all of the company’s 30th Anniversary events and celebrations in 2022.

Murphy will begin researching and writing a play about the Peter Robinson migration from Ireland to the Peterborough region in the 1820s. 2025 will mark the 200th anniversary of the migration of Irish citizens in search of a better life in Canada. 4th Line plans to debut this new play to mark the anniversary.

“I am very excited Megan will be joining us to spearhead our 30th season celebrations. And I am equally excited that Megan will be developing a play about the region’s Irish migration stories,” said Kim Blackwell, managing artistic director. “Megan’s own family originates from these Robinson settlers, so she is ideally positioned to create this play.”

“I am humbled to have the great privilege and responsibility of bringing voice to the Peter Robinson settlers,” said Murphy. “I look forward to uncovering the important stories of our past, with hope and curiosity in how they might inform and inspire our future. As I embark on my first full length play, I must employ some Irish idioms…I’m delira and excira to be sure, it’ll be grand to get the craic and write the whispers of our ancestors!”

Peter Robinson was an architect of an emigration plan which saw thousands of Irish families come to Canada to escape the brutal poverty which they were facing in Ireland. Over 2500 people settled in Scotts Plains, later renamed Peterborough, to honour Robinson. These new Canadians planted deep roots in the Peterborough area and have thousands of descendants both locally and across the globe.

In 2025 there is a call for Peter Robinson descendants to return to the Peterborough area to mark 200 years since the migration. This will be the perfect timing to produce Megan Murphy’s play which will examine the lives of the people who faced unimaginable odds to come to Canada for the chance at a better life.

The 30th Anniversary projects Murphy will be developing include a podcast series which will draw on Murphy’s over 13 years as a professional radio announcer. Other initiatives include a 30th Anniversary gala and the creation of an endowment campaign to ensure the theatre’s financial health for years to come.

“I was 12 years old when 4th Line Theatre was born. As a young, aspiring actress, my mom used to cut articles and audition calls out of the paper for me, and I dreamt of one day being a part of the 4th Line Team,” said Murphy. “It’s a full circle moment for me, to now be a part of the 30th Anniversary season.”

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4th Line Theatre Hosts Storytelling Workshop To Kick Off 30th Anniversary

4th Line Theatre is kicking off its 30th anniversary with a storytelling workshop run by storyteller and writer Deb Williams over two days announced on Monday.

Deb Williams (pictured) last worked with 4th Line Theatre directing the 2018 production of Ian McLachlan and Robert Winslow’s Crow Hill: A Telephone Play. Photo Courtesy of 4th Line Theatre.

The online storytelling workshop will run on Jan. 22 and 23 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Williams will share her decades of storytelling expertise, to give each participant the tools to create and share a truly compelling story or stories.

After the workshop, participants will be welcomed to read and tell their stories in a virtual event via Zoom, which will be live-streamed on 4th Line Theatre’s YouTube channel on Jan. 28.

“Deb Williams is a master storyteller,” says Kim Blackwell, managing artistic director. “The first time she ever told one of her stories at the farm, I almost fell to the ground. The images she created are still with me. This company is all about stories and Deb is the master storyteller to work with people itching to craft their lived experiences into compelling oral narratives.”

“Good storytelling is not easy but with instructions, listening and repetition, everyone can do it,” said Williams. “And with practice, good storytellers become great.”

Participants will learn what elements make an experience ready for a story, the skills to craft it, the ability to shareit in front of others and gain a new group of colleagues and friends. This online storytelling workshop is open to novice, intermediate and accomplished storytellers to grow and challenge themselves.

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4th Line Theatre Announces Call for Proposals for New Interdisciplinary Residency Program

4th Line Theatre announced on Tuesday a call for applications for its new Interdisciplinary Residency Program for regional artists.

Megan Murphy at the Winslow Farm by Jess McDougall. Photo courtesy of 4th Line Theatre.

Four residencies, which will provide an opportunity for artists, based in Millbrook, Peterborough, Lakefield, Port Hope, Cobourg and the surrounding environs, will be awarded to develop a new work.

The successful candidates will be announced in December 2021.

The 2022 Interdisciplinary Residency Program will foster artistic development and engagement between 4th Line Theatre, local artists and community member in theatre, music, dance and film.

“In our continuing effort to give regional artists opportunities to explore and create new work, we have developed these longer form residencies for just that purpose,” said Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell.

They are seeking project proposals from local artists/collectives to create original works or develop existing works during their residency. Priority will be given to artists who explore the history of the region, in whatever medium they chose to work.

Special consideration will also be given to artists who look to follow 4th Line Theatre’s mandate which is to develop and present original Canadian works of artistic excellence that explore regional themes, history and heritage, and to present this work in a politically-responsible and culturally-sensitive manner.

Four grants of $2,500.00 will be awarded to four successful candidates in the above stated performance forms.

Applications must include a 500-word description of the proposed project, what category they are applying under, and the artist(s)’s CV/Bio. The deadline to submit proposals is December 13, 2021 at 5 p.m.

All proposals must be emailed to 4th Line’s Artistic Administrator, Jess McDougall, at jess@4thlinetheatre.on.ca.

Successful residency applicants will be notified by December 20, 2021. The four residencies will begin in January 2022. 4th Line Theatre will feature a hybrid (digital and live) presentation in October 2022. The presentation will showcase a performance from each of the four resident artists.

For more information regarding the residencies, please contact Jess McDougall by phone at 705-932-4448 or by email at jess@4thlinetheatre.on.ca.

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4th Line Theatre Announces Return to Live Performances With Summer Production

Live performances are back at the Winslow farm in August for “The Verandah Society in Residence at 4th Line Theatre” announced in a press release on Tuesday.

Megan Murphy (left) and Kate Suhr (right) have appeared as guests for PTBOCanada in the Hometown PTBO series. Photo Courtesy of Tristan Peirce Photography and 4th Line Theatre.

The production is created by Megan Murphy and Kate Suhr who also star in the show. It is directed by Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell with musician Saskia Tomkins joining the duo onstage playing music.

Performances will run Tuesdays through Saturdays from August 17 to August 28 as tickets go on sale starting Monday and are available to purchase through 4th Line Theatre’s Box Office.

Murphy and Suhr created the first version of the show in the summer of 2020 to connect with and perform for people during the pandemic. They traveled around the region to people’s porches, verandahs and backyards performing their captivating show for intimate gatherings.

“I am filled with excitement to be hosting Kate, Meg and Saskia at the Farm this summer. The Verandah Society shows in 2020 gave our community much-needed art and was a balm on our souls in a dark time,” explains Blackwell “This summer, the songs and stories that Kate and Meg have created will bring art back to the Farm as we begin to recover from our time of isolation. I cannot think of three better artists to guide us forward.”

“We're so thrilled to be collaborating with the 4th Line team this summer,‘ said Murphy and Suhr. “To have the first show back after COVID at the Farm is an absolute delight. We can't wait to have a live audience join us safely on the verandah.”

Saskia Tomkins (left), Megan Murphy (middle) and Kate Suhr (right). Tomkins plays the violin, viola, cello and nyckelharpa for the show onstage. Photo Courtesy of Tristan Peirce Photography and 4th Line Theatre.

The 2021 season will be 4th Line’s 29th season of producing outdoor theatre on the 170-year old Winslow farm.

The Winslow farm venue concession stand and picnic area will be open when the site opens on performance days at 4:00 PM and local food vendors will have sweet and savoury treats for sale before the show. Cash only.

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4th Line Theatre Announces Beau Dixon’s Sizzlin’ Series

As part of their ongoing virtual programming, Nexicom Presents 4th Line Theatre @ Home, 4th Line Theatre has announced the release of Beau Dixon’s Sizzlin’ Series. This video series will focus on regional BIPOC residents who are leading fascinating and inspiring lives.

“We are excited to present Beau's series and discover people living in our region and the contributions they are making,” says Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell. “We are committed to a more embedded strategy of inclusivity, equity and diversity here at 4th Line.”

Each episode in the series will feature an interview with a local BIPOC resident who will reflect on their occupation, career and daily life. The theatre company will release new episodes weekly on their YouTube channel starting Monday, March 1st.

Beau Dixon

“This series provides the opportunity to discover and research untold stories found within racially diverse communities,” says Sizzlin’ Series host Beau Dixon. “Join me in celebrating extraordinary citizens of the Kawarthas region who reflect our racial and cultural diversity.”

This series is sponsored by Nexicom, who have always been an advocate of the importance of community connectivity. Thanks to their generous support, all videos in the series can be accessed by the public free-of-charge. 

The four episodes will be released on 4th Line Theatre’s YouTube channel for viewing beginning Monday, March 1st at 12 p.m. New episodes will be released every Monday until March 22nd. 

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4th Line Theatre Welcomes Beau Dixon As An Artistic Associate

4th Line Theatre has announced that award-winning Canadian actor, writer and composer/musician Beau Dixon has joined the theatre as an Artistic Associate.

Dixon will assist 4th Line in further developing its inclusivity and diversity initiatives and strategies. WIth Dixon’s assistance, 4th Line Theatre’s objective is to establish a talent bank of racialized artists, uncover local racialized stories, and liaise with racialized community partners.

Beau Dixon (photo courtesy 4th Line Theatre)

Dixon’s research, and the relationships he forges during this project, will aid in future artistic programming and play development. Dixon’s deep ties to Peterborough and area will allow him to delve deeply into the issues of inclusivity and diversity, to ensure lasting strategies for the theatre.

 “I am thrilled to welcome Beau back to 4th Line,” says Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell. “He has a long and rich creative history at the theatre. When I decided to create a formal strategy to address inclusivity and diversity at 4th Line, Beau was the first call I made, to ask for his input.”

Kim Blackwell (photo courtesy 4th Line Theatre)

“I'm excited to be joining the 4th Line team as an Artistic Associate, because it will allow me to contribute to bringing new stories and ideas to Peterborough's artistic community, while giving me the opportunity to discover and research untold stories found within the racially diverse communities around the theatre,” says Beau Dixon.

“I will explore the creation of new forms of storytelling and share other people's history, that have been embedded in the Peterborough and Kawartha region for centuries,” Dixon adds.

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4th Line Theatre In Millbrook Hosting Special Hockey-Themed Event With Eye Toward Creating Hockey-Themed Play

4th Line Theatre’s Managing Artistic Director Kim Blackwell is inviting members of the community to join her for an afternoon of hockey-themed stories, memories and reminiscences on Sunday, February 2nd, with an eye to creating a hockey-themed play in the near future. 

Canadian actors and playwrights Paul Braunstein (4th Line’s The Shadow Walk of Millbrook) and Courtenay Stevens are excited to be working with 4th Line to create a play about hockey derived from local stories and memories. 4th Line asks you to join them and bring your best hockey-related stories, memories of teams and games past, personal experiences, recollections and photographs. 

Left to right: Ken Houston, Paul Braunstein and Josh Butcher in 4th Line Theatre's 2015 production of Alex Poch-Goldin's The Bad Luck Bank Robbers directed by Kim Blackwell. (Photo by Wayne Eardley-Brookside Studio.)

“Reminiscences give us first-hand accounts of our history and are an essential part of developing our plays,” says Blackwell. “Without this research, our productions would not have the historical authenticity and realism our patrons have come to expect from us.” 

Past productions developed through reminiscences include Beau Dixon’s Bloom: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Fable, Ian McLachlan and Robert Winslow’s Doctor Barnardo’s Children, Leanna Brodie’s Schoolhouse, Alex Poch-Goldin’s The Right Road to Pontypool and Poch-Goldin’s The Bad Luck Bank Robbers.

The public reminiscence will take place on Sunday, February 2nd, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Dorothy Stevens Room at the Old Millbrook School, located at 1 Dufferin Street, Millbrook.

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St. James Players Presents First Peterborough Production Of Mamma Mia!

St. James Players has announced the first-ever Peterborough production of the world-renowned musical, Mamma Mia!

Tickets are now available to the public, and there are seven performances at Showplace Performance Centre taking place from November 8th - 16th.

The all-local cast includes:

-> Gillian Harknett plays Sophie

-> Mark Gray plays Bill

-> Lyndele Gauci plays Rosie

-> Warren Sweeting plays Sam

-> Natalie Dorsett plays Donna

-> Keevin Carter plays Harry

-> Christie Freeman plays Tanya

The cast of Mamma Mia!

The large all-local cast provides non-stop laughs and explosive dance numbers. With St. James Players 47-year legacy of high-quality community theatre in town, Mamma Mia! is sure to be a hit.

Get your tickets here.

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Grassboots Theatre Company Launches First Ever Play

Peterborough’s newest theatre company Grassboots Theatre—created by Peyton Le Barr and Chris Whidden—is set to debut their first ever performance, Repatriation to the Moon, a new work inspired by theatre created by the underground Polish resistance during the WW2.

In Repatriation to the Moon playing at Artspace, a janitor and an engineer fall in love in a shoe factory. One is Polish, the other Italian. The play, set in a time of war, is a comical and heartwarming story of two lovebirds who attempt to escape persecution in the most absurd way imaginable.

Stars Chris Whidden and Peyton Le Barr (show photo by Andy Carroll)

The story was written by Whidden and the play created and performed by Whidden and Peyton Le Barr. The Havelock-based tandem are currently renovating a hobby farm to become a new theatre space and artists’ retreat.

Chris has written multiple plays performed in Toronto including Roaring Robert, which was presented by Shadowpath Theatre to a soldout run at the Toronto Fringe. This will be his first production in Peterborough.

Repatriation to the Moon is inspired by a performance from the 1940s by Polish artist Wladyslaw Dutkiewicz, who created dozens of plays for the underground Polish resistance including a work titled Repatriation to the Moon.

Show photo by Andy Carroll

Repatriation to the Moon runs from August 14th to August 17th at Artspace, with performances starting at 8 p.m. each evening. Tickets cost $15 and are available here.

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New Local Theatre Company Grassboots Theatre Launches

Actors and theatre-makers Peyton Le Barr and Chris Whidden have started a new theatre company called Grassboots Theatre, and they are making their debut this summer with an evening of storytelling and a production at Artspace on July 25th.

Chris Whidden and Peyton Le Barr (Photo by Matthew Hayes)

ABOUT PEYTON LE BARR

Le Barr is an established actor who has performed in the UK, Russia and Canada. She has worked alongside top directors in Toronto and has been a guest artist at Humber College, teaching an introduction to site-specific performance. She works with Peterborough’s Public Energy Performing Arts in production. 

Peyton Le Barr (Photo by Ian Brown)

ABOUT CHRIS WHIDDEN

Whidden, a graduate from Ryerson University’s acting program, is a writer and performer with a focus on mask and clown. As a performer, Chris has become an active emerging artist. In addition to his work onstage, Chris has written multiple plays performed in Toronto including Roaring Robert, which was presented by Shadowpath Theatre to a sold-out run at the Toronto Fringe.

Chris Whidden (Photo by Ian Brown)

Peyton and Chris have purchased a farm in Havelock near Peterborough, and are currently renovating the property to create an outdoor theatre studio. Down the line, they intend to offer the space as an artist retreat to local artists.

Their first event at Artspace, “Share Off! An Open-Mic For Storytellers”, is an evening of storytelling taking place on July 25th at 7 p.m. Participants from the community will share their own true stories (5 minutes or less) following the theme of Firsts. “It seemed like a fun and unique way to learn more about the people of Peterborough on a more personal level,” says Le Barr.

Community members are encouraged to sign up as a storyteller or just come and watch. Spots are limited, so interested storytellers should register in advance here.

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