WHO WE ARE
Located on a farmstead outside of Grand Bend, the venerable Huron Country Playhouse is one of Canada’s leading professional theatres. Over the course of its celebrated history, it has become key to the cultural identity of Huron County and a driver of the regional tourism economy, generating over $17 million in visitor spending over a 13-week summer season.
A registered not-for-profit charitable organization, Huron Country Playhouse engages all generations of Canadians in the magic of professional live theatre in a charming countryside setting. Dedicated to remaining affordable and accessible to all segments of society, the theatre is a proud recipient of multiple awards for demonstrating exceptional fiscal responsibility and private sector support.
Huron Country Playhouse
circa mid-90s
MESSAGE FROM ALEX
For the past five decades, Huron Country Playhouse has provided endless summers of entertainment. Your theatre continues to be successful by every measure – quality productions, audience satisfaction, and financial stability. That being said, now – more than ever – Huron Country Playhouse is at a critical stage in its evolution as we prepare to serve current and future audiences.
All of us have been affected by Canada’s deepening housing crisis; it continues to present as one of our country’s greatest social and economic challenges. But how does this affect the arts?
As a professional theatre operating under the Canadian Theatre Agreement, we are required to provide access to affordable, nearby short-term housing options for artists appearing in our live theatre productions. We proactively addressed this issue in 2011 by constructing 23 short-term housing units on
the property. But with the scale and scope of shows on our two stages, demand far exceeds the limited supply.
With your support, we will build on our model of sustainability by constructing an additional 25 units on the theatre grounds as adequate, affordable, and accessible short-term housing for our artists ... while further securing the legacy of Huron Country Playhouse as a first-rate cultural centre equipped to entertain Canada’s next generation of theatregoers.
Thank you, in advance, for playing a leading role in the long-term viability of your theatre.
Alex Mustakas Founder & CEO Drayton Entertainment
THE CHALLENGE
Each season, Huron Country Playhouse welcomes over 125 performers, musicians, creatives, and technicians to the area. It truly takes a village to make the productions enjoyed by so many come to life on our stages. However, in recent years, this village has become significantly more crowded. Our current artists’ residence is operating at maximum capacity. At the same time, billeting options with area families are dwindling, Air B&Bs are dominating the landscape, and the continued popularity of remote work is placing pressure on community resources.
The procurement of adequate, affordable, and accessible short-term housing for artists is a major difficulty experienced by all professional theatres across the country. In small, rural communities like Grand Bend, this challenge is even more pronounced.
THE SOLUTION
Housing Our Artists, Together!
We are addressing this issue head-on with an innovative, sustainable model for arts organizations through the construction of our second Artists’ Residence at the Huron Country Playhouse.
Consisting of 25 units spanning 7,143 sq. ft., we will develop the space with environmental sustainability in mind so we may continue to be good stewards of both the community and environment for years to come.
The development of the new residence will significantly expand the programming at the Huron Country Playhouse as we grow to support shoulder season entertainment and programs that will engage local residents, attract visitors, and bolster the local tourism and hospitality industry.
Architectural rendering
PROJECT BENEFITS
Economic Development: This project is pivotal for us to expand the scale and scope of our live theatre productions, which in turn, results in increased annual attendance and greater economic impact to area businesses.
A WORD FROM OUR ARTISTS
We’ve asked cast members from each of our upcoming shows to share their experiences of Grand Bend and the Huron Country Playhouse.
“There’s something truly magical about performing in Grand Bend. Each summer, the community makes this place feel like so much more than just a stage—it becomes a second home. The way the people of Grand Bend lift up the artists is both humbling and deeply moving. It’s a connection that stays with you long after the curtain falls.”
Arts Worker Attraction and Retention: By expanding season operations into year-round programming, we will invest in additional permanent staff to support our increased capacity.
Direct growth for the theatre has an indirect and induced effect on the broader community.
“As an actor, one of the most challenging aspects of the career is the moving and relocating. Having housing accessible to the theatre not only eliminates a huge stress, but helps to build and strengthen relationships within the production and company. It truly becomes a home away from home, with a community of artists that become your chosen family. “
Jeremy Carver-James Donkey in Shrek The Musical
“Being away from home for long stretches is tough, but it’s those magical moments on stage that remind me why I do it. It takes an entire village to make live theatre happen, which is why every cast becomes family. We are connected forever to each other, and you, the audience. It’s truly special.”
Community Engagement and Use: New opportunities will be created for the public, including overnight arts camps for youth, weekend workshops for amateur and professional artists, professional development conferences, and one-of-a-kind learning retreat experiences for adults.
“I wouldn’t change this life for the world, but it can get lonely being away from my friends and family for months at a time. Being from Toronto, the opportunity to live amongst a community of artists during my time in Grand Bend and share this experience with them is something truly special.”
Alyssa Curto Beehive
“For the past 9 years the Panto in Grand Bend has been a huge part of my life as a performer. And I’m thrilled to say, even though the Panto is usually a holiday tradition, the community here always comes in droves to laugh, play, and live these classic stories alongside us on stage.”
The Panto
Justin Bott Revolta in Cinderella:
Robert Markus
Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar
Mariah Campos
Eva Peron in Evita
Company inFiddler on the Roof, 2024 Season.
PLAY A LEADING ROLE
Please consider one of these three categories of giving.
Legacy Gifts
Opportunities exist to imprint your family name or corporate identity on many hallmarks of the theatre, with all proceeds towards the new Artists’ Residence project.
Mainstage Auditorium Naming $500,000
Artists’ Residence Naming $250,000
Theatre Lobby $150,000
Theatre Courtyard $100,000
Box Office $75,000
Green Room $25,000
Major Gifts
These gifts will directly support the Artists’ Residence by fully furnishing a suite and providing artists with all the luxuries of home during their stay.
Niko Combitsis, Josh
Penny
2024 Season. Multi-year payment plans are available at these giving levels. Please speak to us for details.
Garrett Woods
Naming rights are for 20 years. Gift recognition is in perpetuity. In addition to named spaces, contributors will also be recognized on the Artists’ Residence Major Donor recognition feature in the theatre lobby, in order of giving level in perpetuity.
Kitchen & Living Room (Appliances, Furniture, Interior Finishes) $10,000 - $25,000
Bedroom (Beds, Linens, Furniture, Storage) $5,000
Naming rights are for 20 years. Gift recognition is in perpetuity. Gifts will be recognized on the Major Donor gift recognition feature in the theatre lobby as well as on a plaque next to your supported space.
Supporting Gifts
Gifts made by community champions provide vital grassroots support to the project.
Donor: Your gift will be recognized on the Major Donor gift recognition feature in the theatre lobby. $1,000 to $2,500
Theatre Seat: Engrave a plaque on your choice of theatre seat in either auditoriums and see your name or that of a loved one recorded on your special seat in perpetuity.
$500
Friends of HCP: These important entry gifts will be recognized on the theatre’s website and 2026 Season House Program. $50 - $250
Justin Bott and Andrew Scanlon in Peter Pan: The Panto, 2023 Season.
Eric Craig and Mariah Campos in Evita, 2023 Season.
Alcantara,
and Kale
in Jersey Boys,
