About Theatre by the Bay

The dream began in January 2001.

Theatre by the Bay was founded by Larissa Mair and Nick Baillie, to bring professional calibre works of theatre to the City of Barrie. In August of 2002, Theatre by the Bay opened its doors inviting people from across central Ontario to enjoy Shakespeare in the park with the successful production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. In 2003, Theatre by the Bay enticed over 10,000 people from across central Ontario, Canada, and the United States to enjoy Romeo and Juliet and an enthusiastic Young Company musical, Treasure Island.

Not looking back, Theatre by the Bay has enjoyed one successful season after another. Our Young Company has entertained thousands of children and adults alike with shows such as Aladdin and Jasmine’s Summer Adventure, Peter Pan and Tinkerbell's Summer Adventure, Robin Hood (The Musical), The Tale of Beauty and the Beast, Snow White's Summer Adventure, Sleeping Beauty's Summer Adventure and Cinderella's Summer Adventure.

Our Main Company has presented nationally reviewed and critically acclaimed productions including the William Shakespeare plays noted above in addition to As You Like It, The Taming of the Shrew and The Comedy of Errors. Not afraid to broaden the scope of entertainment in Barrie, Theatre by the Bay presented the Tony Award nominated show Pump Boys and Dinettes and the hilarious Glorious!, based on the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins.

For 2012, Theatre by the Bay’s Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Scott Hurst as their new Artistic Director. “After 10 years as our Artistic Producer, co-founder Larissa Mair is stepping back from the company to focus on her casting business and she and co-founder Nick Baillie have put the reins into the very capable hands of Scott Hurst. “We are pleased to be working with Scott who is a very talented actor, director and writer and well known in our community”, said Board Chair, Angela Baldwin.

Scott A. Hurst has been a freelance actor, director and writer for 32 years and an alumnus of five seasons in the Acting Company of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Recent performances include PETER PAN and the musical, KING OF THIEVES. In 2011 Scott appeared as Trinculo in the Theatre by the Bay production of THE TEMPEST and in 2009 he received an Excellence in the Arts Award at the Barrie Arts Awards.

This season will mark the start of the second decade for TBTB. GREAT STORIES WELL TOLD launches a new direction with new plays and a new theatre. With three exciting productions taking place at the new Mady Centre for the Performing Arts, TBTB is pleased to present its summer season in a fresh format.

The summer season starts July 26th with Man of La Mancha. Directed by Scott A. Hurst, this Tony Award winning musical known for the song The Impossible Dream, tells the timeless tale of the “mad” Spanish knight, Don Quixote on his quest to find the illusive Dulcinea. A magnificent story that the New York Post described as “… a triumph of creative imagination and stagecraft…”

TBTB welcomes back Lee Wilson to direct this season’s production of Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor. The Merry Wives of Windsor tells the comic tale of the vainglorious knight, Sir John Falstaff, as he tries to woo not one, but two, wealthy married women. Lee Wilson is Founder of Resurgence Theatre and directed TBTB’s 2008 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Lee’s resume includes such accomplishments as assistant director at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and as a Resident Director with The Birmingham Conservatory.

Fun-Fun for the whole Family-Family, TBTB is pleased to present Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, by Mordecai Richler. Jacob Two-Two has to say everything twice on his quest to be taken seriously in a fantastic world of larger than life characters.

Join TBTB in 2012 as it presents GREAT STORIES, WELL TOLD in the NEW Mady Centre for the Performing Arts in beautiful Downtown Barrie. Performances will run from July 26th-August 26th, 2012.

Our Mission

Theatre by the Bay’s mission is to produce high-quality professional theatre productions at an affordable price in Barrie. Indeed, prior to the establishment of Theatre by the Bay, residents of Central Ontario would have to look southward to Toronto for professional theatre and such cultural events.

It is also our goal to have a positive impact on the region’s economy by hiring performers and technical staff, wherever possible, from the local area. We will strive to increase job opportunities in the region, generate support for the arts by businesses and individuals locally and across the province and promote arts education.

In addition, we are confident that our high calibre theatrical productions will increase the volume of visitors to Barrie and will positively impact the region’s tourism and service industries.

Our Mandate

To create an environment where the highest level of professional live theatre is embraced and accessed affordably by the citizens of Barrie.
To continue to develop educational programs for all ages to demonstrate the social importance of, and to promote active participation in, the performing arts.
To be the marquee for live theatre in Barrie and assist the city as it presents itself globally as a strong cultural and economic centre.
To draw from the most creative talent in the country. This will allow Barrie’s emerging young talent, both artistic and technical, to learn from and be inspired by skilled professionals.
To forge strong partnerships with other local cultural organizations. Together we will build on combined strengths and common goals to create initiatives that will solidify Barrie’s position as an Arts City.