A Brief History
In the early 1940's, the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind sponsored the formation of a theatrical group for blind and visually impaired actors. The name it was given was the Glenvale Players. About fifteen years later, the Glenvale Players won its first award: Best Production of a Canadian Play. This award was given at the Central Ontario Drama League Festival.
In 1983, the Glenvale Players joined Theatre Ontario and the Association of Community Theatres in Central Ontario (A.C.T.C.O.) That year, the production of 'A House Called Pride', a musical play written and directed by Gregory Heyn, was nominated for Best Costumes, Best Production of a Canadian Play, and one actor won a special Adjudicator's Award for Best Stage Presence. Also that year, the club introduced 'Juno is Missing'. This original short comedy, written and directed by Gregory Heyn, toured Metro area schools, and was presented several times at the C.N.I.B.
In 1984, two productions were mounted: 'It's Unhealthy to be Unpleasant': and an evening of one-act plays, which included 'Sorry, Wrong Number' and Chekhov's 'The Boor'.
In 1985 and 1986, the club presented 'Braille Manuscript', written and directed by Gregory Heyn, about the life of Louis Braille, who invented the Braille system for the blind. This play was nominated at the A.C.T.C.O. Festival for Best Production of a Canadian Play, and one actor received a special Adjudicator's Award.
Mr. Heyn directed two more plays: in 1987, 'Wait Until Dark', by Frederick Knott, and in 1988, 'Butterflies are Free', by Leonard Gershe, both about blind people. Also in 1988, the club held an acting workshop taught by Heather Dick.
In 1990, Maurice Harty became the director, assisted by voice coach Greta Lyons. The first production under them was 'Two for the Show', a comedy by Canadian playwright Brian Tremblay. Also that year, the club held an acting workshop taught by Mr. Harty and Ms. Lyons.
Other plays directed by Mr. Harty and Ms. Lyons were: in 1991, 'The Late Edwina Black', a mystery thriller by William Dinner and William Morum; in 1992, 'The Old Lady Shows Her Medals' by James M. Barrie, which toured Metro area seniors' homes; in 1993, 'Ladies in Retirement', by Edward Percy and Reginald Denham; and in 1994, 'The Man', a thriller by Mel Dinelli.
The Glenvale Players celebrated their fiftieth anniversary in 1995 with Neil Simon's classic comedy, 'Barefoot in the Park', directed by David C. Phillips, who, for the last few years has served as production consultant. Also that year, the club held an acting workshop taught by Harvey Levkoe, who was in the play. The workshop revolved around the play, 'Seven Stories', by Canadian playwright Morris Panych.
Other plays presented by Glenvale in recent years: in 1996, 'Let's Murder Marsha' by Monk Ferris, directed by Jean Halliwell; in 1997, 'Belles', by Mark Dunn, directed by Andrea Emmerton; and in 1998, 'Love and Anger', by Canadian playwright George F. Walker, directed by Rod Carley, who earlier that year taught the club an acting workshop. In the spring of 1999, the Glenvale Players held a two-day acting workshop, taught by David C. Phillips and Rob Mather. In the year 2000, the club produced 'Waiting for the Parade', by Canadian playwright John Murrell, directed by Andrea Emmerton. In the spring of 2001, the Glenvale Players presented an 'Edwardian Evening', in a cabaret setting, consisting of music and song and a presentation of George Bernard Shaw's one-act comedy, 'Overruled', directed by David C. Phillips, about two married men in love with each others' wives.
In the spring of 2002, the Glenvale Players presented a comedy, 'Cookin' With Gus' by Jim Brochu, directed by Kate Leclerc.
In 2003 the group underwent a change in administration and is branching out and expanding our repertoire. The are currently fundraising for a larger production to be performed in 2004. The fundraising events have consisted of a cabaret night, production of The Highwayman CD, The Triple Play One Act Festival, and another one act festival to be performed in November of 2003. If you want to find current information, please visit the NOW PLAYING page..