Carousel
Players is an award-winning professional theatre for young audiences committed
to the development of new work and the production of theatre that entertains and
challenges our audiences. We present inspiring and creative plays for children
aged 5 to 15 in schools, theatres and other venues. We ensure that our performances,
theatre school and classroom programs are affordable for all children regardless
of their socio-economic status or situation.
Throughout our 35 year
history, over 2 million students, teachers and families have seen our productions.
We regularly perform in schools across Ontario, and frequently tour to theatres
in London, Toronto and Orangeville and festivals in Ottawa, Vancouver, Winnipeg,
and Calgary. Our award-winning plays have toured as far away as England and Japan.
The name for the company is inspired by one of Canada’s oldest carousels
in nearby Port Dalhousie where you can still take a ride for just a nickel.
Carousel
Players tours to schools throughout Ontario and operates out of the historic Courthouse
in downtown St. Catharines. We also present public performances for Niagara families
in the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre at 101 King Street. Within the building
are the administration and production offices of Carousel Players, a rehearsal
studio and a 125 seat performance space that is the home of Carousel Players’
Theatre School. Our facility is actively used by local theatre, dance and music
organizations from the Niagara region.
Many plays have been nominated
for Dora Awards for Outstanding Theatre for Young Audiences and the theatre received
Dora Awards for Dinosaurs & All the Rubbish in 1993 and Patty’s Cake
in 2003. Carousel Players received the 2003 Canada Council for the Arts for Theatre
for Young Audiences Prize for Patty’s Cake, the Great Grants Award from
Ontario Trillium Foundation in 2005 and the Lieutenant Governor’s Award
For the Arts in 1997.
Carousel Players is a non-profit charitable organization
that began in 1972 by Desmond Davis, a Professor of Drama at Brock University
in St. Catharines. Des and his wife Faye came to Canada in 1970 from Australia
where both had gained considerable experience in professional theatre and created
a theatre to serve youth in Niagara. Other artistic leaders of the company include
Duncan McGregor (1977 to 1990), Pierre Tetrault (1990 to 1998), Kim Selody (1999
to 2006) and Pablo Felices-Luna (2007 to present).
Carousel Players
is a member of PACT (Professional Association of Canadian Theatres) and engages
professional artists under the Canadian Theatre Agreement who are members of Canadian
Actors’ Equity Association. We are members of the Theatre for Young Audience
Association, Theatre Ontario, St. Catharines & Area Arts Council and Toronto
Alliance for the Performing Arts. 2007-2008
Season: Bluenose
by Emil Sher
For families and children aged 5 to 12.
Touring to schools
November 2007 and February to March 2008
Public Performances:
November
10, 2007, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
March 29, 2008, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Public
performances at
Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre, Box Office 905-682-8326
Ext. 26
Tickets on sale now $10 each for students and adults
Ratt,
Spatt and Knat are three red-nosed pirate clowns on their way to the island Pakamula.
They cast their nets and capture a strange woman. Her name is Ku, and her nose
is blue. Blue is not right, blue is not normal. Ku is neither right nor normal.
As the Shark do Triomphe sails relentlessly towards Pakamula, the pirates have
to figure out if their wrongs trump Ku's rights.
Bluenose is a lighthearted
romp on the high seas with clown pirates and physical humor that explores issues
of prejudice and tolerance. 
The
Big League
by James Durham
For families and students aged 8
to 15.
Touring to schools February to April 2008
Public Performances:
January 26, 2008, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
April 5, 2008, 11 a.m. &
2 p.m.
Public performances at
Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse
Theatre, Box Office 905-682-8326 Ext. 26
Tickets on sale now $10 each for
students and adults
Let's make two assumptions. One, organized sports
encourage teamwork and allow children to make friends. Two, good parenting requires
us to encourage our child to succeed. Now, let’s take those assumptions,
thrown them in a dynamic, physical show about three your players trying to make
a Triple A hockey team, and see what we find out. In The Big League
Tommy crosses the line with his friends during try-outs. In order to win them
back, he has to face off with his dad. Can he just play the game he loves with
his friends, or should he keep trying to make it to The Big League.
The
Big League is a rich exploration of friends, family, passions and dreams. The
children in the story are empowered to solve their own problems , and in doing
so, rebalance their relationships
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