Old Ship's Company Theatre

Over the years the company has enjoyed tremendous support locally, regionally and nationally. The production season has grown to fourteen weeks and our operating budget has increased many fold. We now offer a Mainstage program of three plays running in stock and since 1995 a Second Stage, which is dedicated to new and emerging artists from the Atlantic Provinces. 1999 saw the introduction of a Concert Series which has now grown to a total of eight concerts each season. In 2004 a Kid’s Stage was introduced and showcases a selection of children’s shows each season as well as an expanded Drama Camp program that offers camps to youth from ages five to seventeen. Periodically we tour a production to other centres in the Maritimes. The company’s success is the result of strong vision, commitment from our artists, and a loyal audience. We embrace the risk of developing new theatre for our region that may transfer to larger stages farther afield.

Our Mission is to be a prime centre for the production and development of Canadian and Atlantic theatre. The chartered objects of The Ship’s Company include our primary activity of presenting theatrical performances with special emphasis on Atlantic Canadian content. We are committed to the promotion, development and support of the artists of our region.

Since 1984 Ship's Company has commissioned, developed and/or produced twenty-seven new works as well as having given thirteen new plays valuable second productions. A number of world premiere plays have gone on to grace stages across the country, notably, two plays by Wendy Lill, Sisters and The Glace Bay Miners Museum and Lance Woolaver’s World Without Shadows. Most recently Claudia Dey’s Trout Stanley and Michael Melski’s The Fly Fisher’s Companion, both which received recent world premieres at Ship’s Company Theatre, are currently enjoying productions across the country.

Paul Ledoux, Michael Melski, Harry Thurston, Silver Donald Cameron, Jennifer Overton and Carol Sinclair are other playwrights whom we have nurtured and supported through our commissioning program. Kit Brennan, David French, Donna Smyth, Janis Spence, Ray Guy, Daniel Lillford and Pam Boyd have also added to our body of work.

The high quality of our work enables us to attract the best in regional talent to bring our productions to life. Our stage has been graced by the work of Deborah Allen, Don Allison, Jack Belt, Andrew Bigelow, Mary-Colin Chisholm, Richard Donat, Robert Doyle, David Fox, Gay Hauser, Martha Irving, Brooke Johnson, Andy Jones, Tim Koetting, Niki Lipman, Jenny Munday, Frank MacKay, Marguerite McNeil, Stephen Osler, David Renton, Joseph Ruttan, Mary Walsh, and Joseph Wynne to name a few. Their work and the work of many other fine artists is the foundation upon which our reputation is built.

In 1991 Mary Vingoe departed Ship’s Company to found Eastern Front Theatre in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Michael Fuller remained Artistic and Executive Director until 1997. The Board of Directors subsequently restructured the company and sought one individual to provide Artistic Direction and General Management on a full-time, year-round basis. Scott Burke was appointed Artistic Producer in 1998.

Scott perpetuated the traditions and strengths of the company while pursuing new avenues for artistic and financial growth. He successfully led the company to win numerous Merritt Awards for artistic excellence while adhering to a program of sound financial management. He also led the company towards the long desired goal of a permanent performance facility. In July 2004, Ship’s Company Theatre officially opened its new theatre facility with the World Premiere production of Scott’s play The Parrsboro Boxing Club adapted from the novel by Parrsboro native, Bruce Graham.

Tremendous community and government support enabled us to make our long-standing dream of a permanent home for Ship’s Company a reality. The new theatre was designed by the architectural firm of Brian MacKay-Lyons Urban Design around the M.V. Kipawo, which remains the physical and spiritual centre of our unique performing venue.

Pamela Halstead Artistic Producer - Photo by Lori Greenough

Pamela Halstead took over the helm as Artistic Producer in February 2004. She brought a strong commitment to new play development and an eye for expansion. During her tenure Ship’s Company Theatre has increased its Mainstage offerings to three productions as well as expanded all other programming, taking the season currently to the first of October. Her support of new work has led to the presentation of almost exclusively world premiere productions on Ship’s Company’s Mainstage. As a result of the tremendous growth of the company and the increased operational needs of the new facility the Board of Directors made the decision in 2006 to restructure the senior management of the company. Chuck Homewood, who brought extensive management experience, came on board in July 2006 in the new position of General Manager. In October 2007, Pamela Halstead resumed her place at the helm of Ship's Company Theatre as Artistic Producer.

New Theatre