About Us
Shakespeare in the Ruins (SIR) is located on Treaty 1 Territory, and is the only professional theatre company in Manitoba dedicated to producing and revitalizing the works of William Shakespeare.
Every Spring, we perform our signature promenade style of theatre under the prairie sky at the Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park, or as we lovingly call it, “The Ruins.”
Shakespeare in the Ruins (SIR) exists to spotlight the enduring power of classical theatre through the contemporary human experience.
Mission Statement
Mandate
Shakespeare in the Ruins, Inc. is a theatre company dedicated to:
- The production of plays from the classical canon, with a special focus on Shakespeare
- The creation, development, and presentation of Shakespeare-adjacent new work
- The use of environmental and site-specific staging in the production of plays
- Equitable casting that reflects Manitoba’s diverse population
- Creating opportunities for the development and growth of theatre professionals in Manitoba
- Engaging with and enhancing our community
SIR’s treatment and understanding of Shakespeare and the ‘Classical canon’ is one of expansion and inclusion. We seek to challenge and to redefine assumptions of what constitutes Classical theatre in the 21st century. Moving beyond the western tradition, SIR also aims to put Shakespeare in conversation with plays from the Spanish Golden Age, from Latinx and Queer experiences, and from other underrepresented communities and cultures that have been creating dramatic literature since even before Shakespeare’s time.
Profile
Shakespeare’s words connect us across the barriers of time, culture and status.
As Manitoba’s premier classical theatre company since 1993, SIR bears the responsibility of unearthing and reimaging texts that might otherwise be forgotten. Additionally, we aim to give Manitobans the opportunity to bring our own cultural trademark to the plays of that rich repertoire.
Moreover, SIR does more than put on plays: we give people a full sensory experience. Audiences don’t go to the Ruins exclusively to see Shakespeare: they want to explore the Trappist Heritage Park and feel inspired by the beauty of Nature. In our productions, the rich imagery of Shakespeare’s words meets the astonishing imagery of the surroundings. Indeed, it is through that unique combination that the company thrives in making Shakespeare our own.
In other words, SIR is woven into the fabric of Manitoban history; and we aim to reflect ourselves in Shakespeare’s timeless works, exploring our rich cultural diversity and contemporary complexities.
SIR seeks to establish a genuine connection between performers and audiences, fostering a life-long love of theatre.
Finally, rather than providing an escape from current events, we center our work inside the realities of our times; bridging the gap between Shakespeare and us; giving audiences a broader perspective and a deeper understanding of his works – as well as a really, really good time.
Values
At SIR, we believe collaboration, creativity and courage are our most valuable and enduring assets – for our company and our world. We place a high value on cooperation, transparency and honesty; and the equitable sharing of our gifts. As in our performances, we prize communications which are direct, intimate and filled with clarity.
History
Shakespeare in the Ruins (SIR) is a professional Canadian theatre company that is best known for presenting Shakespeare outdoors in unique settings.
Incorporating the unique environment of the Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park, promenade-style audience movement, cross gendered, multiple-role casting and a dynamic, text-oriented style of performance with a focus on creating an immediate, intimate relationship with our audience, the inaugural performance of Romeo and Juliet set the template for what has continued to be SIR’s approach to the works of William Shakespeare to this day: constant expansion and reinvention.
Initially functioning as an Equity Co-op, SIR was incorporated in 1995 and a board of directors was formed. Shakespeare in the Ruins operated under the Independent Theatre Agreement until joining PACT (the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres) in 2014. Our artistic programming was directed by a passionate ensemble of artists until a shift in 2016, when we appointed a full time Artistic Director to independently drive the artistic vision of the company – with a group of artistic associates in an advisory capacity.
The adventurous spirit that drives SIR has led us to perform in places well beyond the Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park, including productions on Winnipeg’s Dreman Building parkade rooftop, Gaboury-Lagimodiere Park in St. Boniface, and the old Assiniboine Park conservatory.
In addition to working our way through the Bard’s canon with our annual spring Main Stage production, SIR has developed and performed unique one-hour, four-actor touring productions that include: Stripped-Down Macbeth; Stripped-Down Romeo & Juliet; Stripped-Down Hamlet; and A Stripped-Down Midsummer Night’s Dream. These productions have traveled to high schools throughout Manitoba, Western Ontario and Eastern Saskatchewan.
Moreover, parallel to exploring Shakespeare’s plays, SIR has a proud history of developing and presenting new works by Manitoba and emerging playwrights that touch on classical themes and are “in conversation” with Shakespeare. They include the world-premieres of The Odyssey by Rick Chafe (2000), Head by Debbie Patterson (2006), Awaken by Tracey Penner (2020), The Player King by Ron Pederson (2022), Pandora and The Dark Lady by Jessica B. Hill (2023).
Timeline
1993 - Shakespeare in the Ruins was born!
With little more than a unique vision and a spirit of adventure, a small group of Manitoba theatre artists come together to create a Shakespearean theatre company around the crumbling walls of the Trappist Monastery Ruins in St. Norbert, Manitoba that would inspire the company’s name.
The original founding company included: Derek Aasland; Michelle Boulet; B. Pat Burns; Lee J. Campbell; Matt Moreau; Maggie Nagle; Debbie Patterson; Gene Pyrz; Lora Schroeder; Marc Beaudry; Katie R. East; Ann Hodges; Grant Guy; Arne MacPherson; Rick McPherson and Rick Skene.
Shakespeare in the Ruins was born!
Incorporating the unique environment of the Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park, promenade-style audience movement, cross gendered, multiple-role casting and a dynamic, text-oriented style of performance with a focus on creating an immediate, intimate relationship with our audience, the inaugural performance of Romeo and Juliet set the template for what has continued to be SIR’s approach to the works of William Shakespeare to this day: constant expansion and reinvention.
Initially functioning as an Equity Co-op, SIR was incorporated in 1995 and a board of directors was formed. Shakespeare in the Ruins operated under the Independent Theatre Agreement until joining PACT (the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres) in 2014. Our artistic programming was directed by a passionate ensemble of artists until a shift in 2016, when we appointed a full time Artistic Director to independently drive the artistic vision of the company – with a group of artistic associates in an advisory capacity.
The adventurous spirit that drives SIR has led us to perform in places well beyond the Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park, including productions on Winnipeg’s Dreman Building parkade rooftop, Gaboury-Lagimodiere Park in St. Boniface, and the old Assiniboine Park conservatory.
In addition to working our way through the Bard’s canon with our annual spring Main Stage production, SIR has developed and performed unique one-hour, four-actor touring productions that include: Stripped-Down Macbeth; Stripped-Down Romeo & Juliet; Stripped-Down Hamlet; and A Stripped-Down Midsummer Night’s Dream. These productions have traveled to high schools throughout Manitoba, Western Ontario and Eastern Saskatchewan.
May 1994
SIR’s inaugural performance of Romeo and Juliet premiered, featuring unique, promenade style performance and casting open to all genders and cultural experiences – a tradition we continue to this day.
2000
The world premiere of Rick Chafe’s stage adaptation of Homer’s classic epic poem The Odyssey hits the stage at The Ruins.
2002
SIR partner’s with Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre to bring The Threepenny Opera to the Royal MTC Warehouse as part of BrechtFest.
Fall 2002
Sadly, SIR was required to vacate the Trappist Monastery Ruins due to the building deteriorating and becoming unsafe to perform in and around.
2003
Our cheeky, ‘Transcona-set’ Romeo & Juliet on the parkade rooftop premieres.
2004
SIR begins touring. Our first touring production is “Stripped-Down Macbeth”.
2006
The world premiere of Artistic Associate Debbie Patterson’s musical Head.
2011
We partner with Winnipeg Harvest and provide free family drama classes. “Shakespeare in the City” is born!
2012
SIR finally returns home to the refurbished Trappist Monastery Ruins in St. Norbert for our production of Henry V. It’s good to be home.
2016
After thee years of advocating, we are finally granted access to teach inmates at Shakespeare in Stony Mountain Penitentiary. “Shakespeare in Stony Mountain” is born!
2018
For our 25th anniversary, we produce the little known (and according to the RSC, guaranteed to lose money at the box office) Timon of Athens. Thankfully we didn’t lose money at the box office and Timon of Athens goes on to be nominated for 5 Winnipeg Theatre Awards and win 2 (outstanding director Michelle Boulet and outstanding performance by an actress Sarah Constible as Timon)
2019
Rodrigo Beilfuss is hired as SIR’s new Artistic Director. He is the first person in SIR history to hold the job who is not an Artistic Associate.
2021
Sara Malabar is appointed General Manager. We launch Brave New Works, our new play development program.
The challenges SIR faces under their leadership are multifaceted: a global pandemic, socio-cultural transformations, the climate crisis and the complexity of keeping Shakespeare alive and relevant in the 21st century.
2022
The world-premiere of Ron Pederson’s The Player King. We introduce a weekly Free Bus for audiences and launch a series of Accessibility initiatives. We also license the entire park for the first time, and are no longer confined to the small, fenced drinking area of the tent. SIR begins offering a season “in rep” at the Ruins, producing two shows that run on a repertory schedule: a classic play by Shakespeare alongside a new, “Shakespeare-adjacent” work.
Early 2023
SIR’s major “pandemic pivot project”, the 2020 feature-film adaptation of Macbeth starring Ray Strachan and Julie Lumsden, wins Best Film at the Carmarthen Bay Film Festival in Wales. Co-directors and co-creators Michelle Boulet and Sarah Constible are rightly celebrated for their Shakespearean versatility on stage and screen.
2023
The company turns 30! We celebrate with the world-premieres of Pandora (a co-production with Prairie Theatre Exchange) and The Dark Lady (a co-production with Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan), both by Jessica B. Hill. Both texts are set to be published by Scirocco Drama in 2024. The Dark Lady secures three nominations at the SATA Awards in Saskatoon (Best Production, Best New Work, and Individual Excellence for Hill).
The Ruins
In 1892, the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (called Trappists) arrived in St. Norbert, Manitoba. They called their community Our Lady of the Prairies. The monastery and church (which we now know as ‘the Ruins’) were built between 1903 and 1905.
The Trappists follow the basic tenets of St. Benedict – charity, obedience and humility. For 86 years, the monks lived at the monastery pursuing a life of prayer, hard work and peaceful contemplation. In 1978, the order moved to a new site due to urban encroachment into their life of solitude. A few years later, the church and monastery burnt to the stone shell you see today. In 1988, the Province of Manitoba designated the area as a provincial heritage site. The building was stabilized in the late 2010s, and since 2012 we have been lucky to once again be producing theatre in this beautiful and magical place.
We would like to thank photographer Clarence Abrams for sharing his amazing photos of the Ruins in the Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park with us.
All photos copyright 2012 Clarence Abrams
