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News Release

September 16, 2005

Public Meeting on Shakespeare Festival to be Held

The University of Guelph, Stratford Festival of Canada, Guelph Arts Council and City of Guelph are teaming up to host a series of regional Shakespeare events in 2007. They are encouraging the community to get involved in the project, starting by attending a public information session Sept. 22 at the River Run Centre.

The 7 p.m. meeting will include an overview of the vision and mission of “Shakespeare — Made in Canada,” which is being planned for January to May 2007. It will feature theatrical and musical performances, an exhibition, a speakers’ series, educational programs and more. It will also involve local and regional arts and cultural organizations, local businesses, and elementary, secondary and university students and teachers.

“Our aim is to create a regional cultural synergy focusing specifically on Canadian interpretations, adaptations and exhibitions of the work of Shakespeare — arguably the most produced playwright in history,” said Rob Mackay, director of culture for the City of Guelph.

“Under this thematic umbrella, we hope to provide opportunities to increase awareness of our regional cultural excellence and to create a dynamic and appealing program of events that will attract audiences from within and outside of the community,” he said.

As part of the project, local and regional arts and cultural organizations will be encouraged to showcase their excellence and creativity by developing programming with a Shakespearean theme in 2007.

The exhibit will incorporate the U of G’s Canadian Adaptations of Shakespeare Project, which includes the largest and most complete website in the world dedicated to showing Shakespeare’s cultural influence on the nation. The university has also teamed with the Stratford Festival to create a new hybrid website that includes the vast holdings of the Festival’s archives.