The Voice of the River

Outdoor Theatre Production

A play of the people, by the people, for the people.

If our river had a voice, what stories would she share?

Woven from the history, memories and shared stories of those who have lived along her shores, The Voice of the River is a community telling of the place (and peoples) we call home. Throughout the last several years, through story circles, crafting, poetry, music and theatre, Grand River residents from both settler and Indigenous communities have came together to collaborate and celebrate. From these meetings, playwright and Artistic Director, Peter Smith has crafted a full length production telling the tale of the Grand River.

Join us at Mill Race Park for a free outdoor play production. 

Want to make a day of it?

The Grand River Community Play Project is in town! Stop by any Cambridge Public Library space to create a dragonfly pin. View the Community Quilt at our Old Post Office location. Pack a picnic or stop by one of our Main Street Closure restaurants and join us on the Main Street Closure for the Community Picnic and Ukulele Concert - where kids can do activities and make a street puppet for the processional. Then head over to the Main Street Bridge, and watch the Ancient Mariners Canoe Parade and Street Puppet Processional. You can wave at the parade as it winds down Water street, or better yet, join in with your street puppet and be part of the magic. Wrap it all up by joining your neighbours and watching the Voice of The River (link) at Mill Race Park.

About the Grand River Play Project

For three years, communities along the Grand River have been meeting in story circles and quilting session to share stories of their lives along the Grand River. From these gatherings, stories were brought together to create The Voice of the River. This project is a month-long, multiple-stop play along the banks of the Grand River with shows in Caledonia, Elora, Dundalk, Guelph, Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Glen Morris, Rockwood, Paris, Brantford, Dunville, and Ohsweeken. Each stop hosts the individual community's unique stories and celebration as well as an overriding production about growing up on the banks of the Grand River created collectively from all communities. With stories of both indigenous and settler origin, multiple partners, a moving outdoor venue and the inclusion of local vision The Voice of the River is a creative collaboration on a grand scale and a celebration of our unique history.

About the Canadian Center for Rural Creativity (CCRC)

The CCRC supports and works with democratic organizations to and build alliances – joining with others to create broad movements for social, economic, creative and restorative environmental change.

The CCRC believes in collective leadership and diverse ways of knowing. Through the power of art, local knowledge and knowing of people, the CCRC acknowledges the value of sharing ideas. Justice, equality, and support of the efforts of others to shape their own destiny, are core to the CCRC vision. Through education, participatory research, the arts, intergenerational organizing, the CCRC works to create space where people can gain knowledge, hope and courage – where we all can expand our ideas of what is possible and support one another in making positive and sustainable change.

COST: Free

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