Open A Window On The World!
A Message From The Founder
Dear Educators, Parents, and Students,
Heritage Pavilion Stage opens a window on the world by bringing the past to
life on stage with innovative, affordable, curriculum-linked historical and
current events plays.
A vast and growing body of research demonstrates the importance of the arts in fostering empathy and critical thinking skills among children and youth and in improving scholastic
achievement. Children who participate in the arts are four times more likely to
be recognized for academic achievement.
As an educator and a parent with children in the public education system,
I place great value on the enormous benefits of arts education and cultural
experiences for young people. I think that you do, too.
Founded in 2000, our Artistic Director, Phil Oakley, is building on past successes
such as ourhighly acclaimed three-week school tours -- Shadow
of Genius and Fire in the Stable, directed by Kim Blackwell, Associate Director of 4th Line Theatre,
And Freedom for All with local musician, actor, composer, and playwright Beau Dixon in his directorial debut,
and Beau's new play Once a Flame, produced on tour both locally and
in Toronto schools.
Heritage Pavilion Stage has received numerous awards, including three EduNET
Choice Awards for our website content, and two Heritage Awards from the
Peterborough Historical Society.We have developed active partnerships with the
Art Gallery of Peterborough, 4th Line Theatre, the Peterborough Historical Society
and other local groups.
The same team which developed the Heritage Pavilion Stage series is still
at the helm:
- Artistic Director Phil Oakley. Mr. Oakley, who began his work for our company in 2001 as a script consultant, actor, and co-director, has vast theatrical and educational experience. His professional career includes working with Heritage Pavilion Stage and many other local companies such as 4th Line Theatre, New Stages Peterborough, Arbor Theatre, and Mysterious Entity Theatre. He has also worked for many out of town professional theatre companies such as Ground Zero Productions, Young People’s Theatre and Blackwell Theatre Productions. Starting in 1994 with evening classes at the Peterborough County Board of Education in 1994, Mr. Oakley has taught theatre and drama to people aged 5 to 75. He has taught at many of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board schools and most recently for Peterborough Collegiate’s Drama-Rama Day this past October 2006. He has also taught summer classes for the Market Hall Theatre for the last five years.
- Study Guide Writer and Drama Workshop Designer Kerry Lynn Parsons: winner of the Elementary Teachers' Federation 2003-04 Writer's Award, and 2006 Historical Society .....multi-talented Peterborough elementary school teacher, and Reading Specialist. She has written all our study guides.
- Co- Producer Greg Conchelos: Greg is the former Senior Research Consultant of Applied Information Associates. While completing his M.Ed., he studied popular and educational theatre. While completing his graduate studies he studied theatre in developing countries.
- Co-Producer Mary Conchelos: A theatre aficionado, Mary has an MLS and 30 years professional library experience in research, teaching, administration, and web-based information management.
- Me, Playwright Ed Schroeter: I recently completed my second playwright residency at 4th Line Theatre, and am the former Artistic Producer and Resident Playwright of Arbor Theatre and former Artistic Director here at Heritage Pavilion Stage. I am the recipient of four national playwriting awards. In 2004 I was inducted into the Peterborough Pathway of Fame for my work. I have won two Heritage Awards for my historical plays and for founding this theatre company.
Please join us!
Ed Schroeter
Ed Schroeter, Founder
Heritage Pavilion Stage
