The Shaw Festival and Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre have announced a brand new partnership that will bring the Festival’s theatrical productions to the waterfront performing arts venue. The three year residency begins in 2026, making The Festival’s world class theatre accessible to more audience members than ever before.
“The Shaw Festival’s new residency at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre is a strong example of how we are protecting and strengthening Ontario’s cultural institutions while expanding access to world-class arts experiences,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming in a statement.
“This partnership will bring exceptional theatre to one of Toronto’s most vibrant cultural destinations, attract visitors from across Ontario and beyond, and support jobs and economic activity along the waterfront. It reflects the role that strong partnerships play in strengthening Ontario’s arts and culture sector.”
What It Means
Through the three-year residency, multiple Shaw Festival productions will take the stage at The Fleck at Harbourfront Centre Theatre. The move extends The Shaw Festival’s typical season end late in the year, with performances largely taking the stage at Harbourfront between October and March.
Also included in the residency is the The Shaw’s beloved holiday production of A Christmas Carol, which comes to Toronto’s downtown for the first time.
“Partnering with one of Canada’s most vibrant and diverse arts destinations lets us share the magic of The Shaw with new audiences,” said Tim Carroll, Artistic Director of the Shaw Festival.
“At a time when audiences are longing for real human connection, we are proud to collaborate with Harbourfront Centre to bring our work to new communities and create spaces where creativity and curiosity can flourish.”
Toronto and area residents already make up a sizeable portion of the audience numbers for The Shaw Festival. The new residency will mean many more will be able to experience what makes The Shaw a beloved part of Ontario’s theatre scene. It is hoped, of course, that those who take in a Shaw production in Toronto will also be more inclined to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake for a summer or fall show as well.
Collaborating In Times Of Change
It’s a time of change and financial struggles for most arts organizations in the province. The Shaw Festival will soon close its historic Royal George Theatre for a much needed rebuild project that is anticipated to take about two and a half years, and cost more than $50 million.
The Toronto residency is part of Shaw’s new and more expansive mandate. Through its All. Together. Now. campaign, The Shaw Festival has recently launched outreach initiatives such as classes and other programs that are designed to increase engagement with theatre overall.
The residency announcement is being made at a time when budget cuts have, for example, seen Harbourfront Centre bring their acclaimed international Torque dance series to an end, along with the organization’s support of the Power Plant contemporary art gallery and the Toronto International Festival of Authors, and the closure of The Fleck Dance Theatre.
Cathy Loblaw, CEO of Harbourfront Centre, was brought into the organization in June 2024 to bring its finances back into the black. Being able to offer new programming comes as a welcome exception to the organization’s recent trend of downscaling operations.
“At Harbourfront Centre, we believe in the power of the arts to connect and inspire,” said Cathy Loblaw of the new residency.
“Welcoming the Shaw Festival as a Resident Artist Company reflects our commitment to bringing exceptional theatre to the heart of our waterfront campus and creating meaningful cultural experiences for the diverse communities we serve.”
Next summer, Harboufront Centre will also become the temporary home of the Ontario Science Centre, according to another recent announcement.
With the organization reportedly on more solid financial footing, Loblaw, who came out of retirement to take on the CEO position, announced she would be stepping down from the role earlier this fall. Her replacement has yet to be named.
Details
The Shaw Festival, based in scenic Niagara-on-the-Lake, is one of Canada’s largest and most popular charitable theatre companies. Their 2026 season includes productions of Funny Girl, Sleuth, The Wind in the Willows, Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, Ohio State Murders, and Amadeus.
Stay tuned. The shows coming to Harbourfront, and ticket details, will be announced in March 2026 for performances that will launch October 2026.
- Find more details about The Shaw Festival’s 2026 season [HERE].
- Find out more about Harbourfront Centre’s programming [HERE].
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