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Ontario

The Shaw Festival: Extraordinary Theater and Nature in Niagara

Program No. 10396RJ
Enjoy three performances, engaging lectures and backstage access at the renowned Shaw Festival. Then dive deeper into the region’s culture with an icewine tasting at a local vineyard.
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TheaterRegional StudiesHomes & GardensSmall Group
Length
5 days
Rating (5)
Activity Level
Starts at
1,949

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5 days
4 nights
10 meals
4B 3L 3D
1
Arrival and Check-In, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Niagara Falls, ON
2
Shaw Backstage, Winery, Theatre Performance
Niagara Falls, ON
3
Festival workshop, Spiegeltent, Theatre Performance
Niagara Falls, ON
4
Workshop, Butterfly Conservatory, Theatre Performance
Niagara Falls, ON
5
Program Concludes
Niagara Falls, ON
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At a Glance

Renowned for its stylish productions, the Shaw Festival is home to one of North America’s largest repertory companies. Immerse yourself in theater with performances, backstage experiences and lectures by Shaw company members. Round out your stay in Niagara with visits to Niagara Falls, the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory and a local winery for a tasting of Niagara’s renowned icewine.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to a few blocks; some stairs.

What You'll Learn

  • Enjoy private pre-show introductions to each play and post-show chats with cast members.
  • Complement your in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the Shaw Festival with orchestra seats to three performances.
  • Experience more than 2,000 free-flying butterflies in a lush, rainforest setting, then walk the footpaths of the Botanical Gardens and one of Canada’s finest collections of ornamental trees, shrubs and roses.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Suzanne Merriam
Suzanne comes from a background of professional acting with experience in theatre, mask, puppetry, television, film and arts education. She has performed with Carousel Players and Theatre Beyond Words and has worked on two children’s television shows. Suzanne is passionate about using theatre in her work with young people. She is an instructor for Brock University where she also earned her Masters of Education. Officially Suzanne’s title is Senior Manager, but to those who have worked with her, she is known affectionately as “The Goddess.”

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Daina Zeoli-Bray
Daina Zeoli-Bray View biography
Daina earned her degree in Fashion and Arts and worked as a Fashion Events Coordinator for five years. In 2003, she and her long-time partner both left their jobs to combine their artistic talents and start their own business, Chameleon Painting and Specialty Plaster. Partnering with leading designers, their work has been showcased in several decorating and design publications. Daina lives in Toronto and is passionate about the arts, travel and her local roots. She looks forward to sharing the Shaw Theatre Festival with you!
Profile Image of Suzanne Merriam
Suzanne Merriam View biography
Suzanne comes from a background of professional acting with experience in theatre, mask, puppetry, television, film and arts education. She has performed with Carousel Players and Theatre Beyond Words and has worked on two children’s television shows. Suzanne is passionate about using theatre in her work with young people. She is an instructor for Brock University where she also earned her Masters of Education. Officially Suzanne’s title is Senior Manager, but to those who have worked with her, she is known affectionately as “The Goddess.”
Profile Image of Felicia Cohen
Felicia Cohen View biography
Born and raised in the beautiful city of Montréal, Felicia Cohen pursued her passion for photography. She lived and worked as a photographer in London before settling in Toronto to pursue a career in the travel industry. Her many years spent as a volunteer gallery leader at the Art Gallery of Ontario opened her eyes to a passion for leading and sharing her home city. Felicia is creative and passionate and loves to be an active volunteer for several arts and culture organizations.
Profile Image of Nancy Nicol
Nancy Nicol View biography
Nancy Nicol, a lifelong resident of Niagara, returned to post secondary studies as a mature student. Shortly after completing her diploma in recreation and leisure studies, Nancy began offering Road Scholar programming in the Niagara Region. To meet participant demand, Nancy began offering Shaw Festival programming in 1998. Over the years she has forged a very strong working relationship with the Academy of the Shaw Festival Theatre.
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Trip details subject to change
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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5 days
4 nights
10 meals
4 B 3 L 3 D
Activity Note
Check-in 3:00 p.m. Nightly illumination of the Falls is from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. If you are interested in buying tickets for additional Shaw plays you can check availability at the Box Office when we arrive each morning. Prior to your arrival in Niagara you can call 1-800-511-7429 or visit shawfest.com
Dinner:
At a local restaurant at 6:30 p.m.
Evening:
At Leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Walking a few blocks, getting on/off motorcoach. Some stairs backstage at the theatre. Assistive Listening Devices are available in the theatre lobby, they can be used with or without a hearing aid.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
We transfer to Niagara-on-the-Lake for an introduction to the Shaw Festival and its history with a festival insider.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant
Afternoon:
This afternoon we attend a performance of Candida at the Royal George Theatre. Post show chat with ensemble members.
Dinner:
At a restaurant in Niagara Falls
Evening:
At leisure
Activity Note
Walking up to 1 mile; getting on/off motorcoach. Assistive Listening Devices are available in the theatre lobby, they can be used with or without a hearing aid
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
This morning we will transfer back to Niagara-on-the-lake and start our day with a workshop with Dan Gallo at the festival library. We then go on to the Spiegeltent to learn all about its creation and how it is now an integral part of the festival.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant
Afternoon:
This afternoon we will attend the performance of The Mystery of the Human Heart at the Festival Theatre. We will then return to the Spiegeltent for a wine tasting.
Dinner:
Dinner on own.
Evening:
Coach transfer back to our hotel. Evening at your leisure.
Activity Note
Walking a few blocks, getting on/off motorcoach. Assistive Listening Devices are available in the theatre lobby, they can be used with or without a hearing aid.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
We start our day by boarding the coach and head to the Butterfly Conservatory for a self-guided excursion. This magical attraction features over 2,000 colourful tropical butterflies floating freely among lush, exotic blossoms and greenery. Paths wind through the rainforest setting, past a pond and waterfall and the Emergence window, where butterflies leave their pupae and prepare to take their first flight! We will then board the coach to return to the Shaw Festival for a workshop at the Festival Theatre.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we attend the performance of My Fair Lady at the Festival Theatre. Following the performance we will attend a post show chat with cast members.
Dinner:
Farewell dinner.
Evening:
Transfer by coach to our hotel.
Activity Note
Check-out is 12:00 p.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel
Morning:
Departures after breakfast as per individual travel plans. Check-out is 12:00 noon. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please be in touch via the Road Scholar Social Network, where you can share memories, pictures and comments. Best wishes for all your journeys.





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