Touring Players Theatre of Canada

In 1983, THE TOURING PLAYERS OF CANADA, burst onto the Canadian Theatre scene with its first successful entertainment for children, and has never looked back!

ONE SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTION AFTER ANOTHER

Let's Do Munsch

For over twenty years now, THE TOURING PLAYERS have been providing school-age audiences from coast to coast with some of the finest and most affordable entertainment value anywhere. Producer Norbert Kondracki and Artistic Director Joel Kaiser have consistently worked to provide an opportunity for young people to enjoy the experience of seeing a fully and professionally produced piece of theatre in a real theatre setting - and at an affordable price!

A World of Fairytales

Over the years, throughout Canada and the U.S., THE TOURING PLAYERS have presented one successful production after another and always to the delight and amazement of its young audiences. From Fairy Tales to Fables to Canadian Classics and contemporary best sellers, THE TOURING PLAYERS have consistently produced quality shows which reflect the themes and values that are most important to children, parents and educators.

TIMELESS CLASSICS / CANADIAN BEST SELLERS

More Munsch Madness

Back in 1983, THE TOURING PLAYERS launched its first production based on the charming stories of Canadian author Mary Grannan, who created the magical tales of MAGGIE MUGGINS. These stories, which were dramatised for television by the CBC, became the source of two highly regarded productions which played throughout the province of Ontario.

A Whimsical Day

After their initial success, THE TOURING PLAYERS went on to produce a number of timeless classics, including THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, THE VELVETEEN RABBIT and the perennial favourite CHARLOTTE'S WEB. At the same time, they began to expand their tour from coast to coast and into the U.S. and then had the great good fortune to present the immensely popular Canadian Best Sellers FRANKLIN TURTLE and ELLIOT MOOSE. More recently, THE TOURING PLAYERS have produced smash hits like THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF JILLIAN JIGGS and the fifth of its highly successful Robert Munsch adaptations, LET'S DO MUNSCH. Over time, THE TOURING PLAYERS have seen their audience of children grow from 12,000 in the first year of operation, to more than 150,000 in this past year alone!

UNIQUE FROM ANY OTHER

The Velveteen Rabbit

A TOURING PLAYERS show is unique from any other touring show for children in that it provides an opportunity for a child to experience live theatre in a real theatre setting. Beyond this, THE TOURING PLAYERS offer only the highest quality production values including professional writers, directors and performers, original scripts and musical scores, a clear and concise program, and its very own travelling box office to serve teachers and parents alike. As well, THE TOURING PLAYERS provides its school audiences with support and follow-up for each production with activity books and recorded music that children and educators can use to extend their experience of the show into the classroom.

FAST, FUN AND FRIGHTENINGLY GOOD!

Charlotte's Web

THE TOURING PLAYERS are routinely congratulated for the unique style of their shows which is carefully geared to bring their young audiences optimum pleasure. "Fast, fun and frighteningly good" is how one educator described their experience of MUCH MORE MUNSCH, while shows such as CHARLOTTE'S WEB have drawn comments such as, "a tender, heart-felt adaptation that kids can relate to. We loved it!".

THREE GREAT PRODUCTIONS

Beauty and the Beast

In the coming months, THE TOURING PLAYERS' THEATRE OF CANADA will be offering three great productions to the public.

First, our enormously successful production of ALLIGATOR PIE will make its way through the west and bring to life the poems of one of Canada's best known and loved poets for children, Dennis Lee. In Ontario, we're touring a new production of JILLIAN JIGGS AND THE PIRATES for the k to 3 crowd, and the award winning NEW CANADIAN KID for grades 4 to 6.

We hope we'll see you at one of our shows, and we know you'll want to return again and again!

Norbert Kondracki, Producer
Norbert founded The TOURING PLAYERS' Theatre in 1983 but has been involved with children's theatre for almost 30 years. He has produced nearly 100 shows for the TOURING PLAYERS and has created a highly successful program of provincial, national and international tours. Over the years, Norbert has built THE TOURING PLAYERS into one of the strongest and most popular touring theatre companies for children in Canada, and he is currently working to expand his tour schedule into the U.S.

Joel Kaiser, Artistic Director
Joel has been a theatre professional for almost 30 years. Aside from his many acting and directing experiences for adult audiences, he has also written, directed and performed for children's theatre. For the TOURING PLAYERS he has adapted and directed such favourites as Norbert Nipkin, Alligator Pie, Franklin the Turtle, Jillian Jiggs, Charlotte's Web, The Velveteen Rabbit, The Nose From Jupiter, A World of Fairy Tales and of course, seven different plays based on the works of Robert Munsch. Joel's adaptations are seen by almost 200,000 school children each year.

Artistic Director Joel Kaiser, Author Robert Munsch, General Manager Norbert Kondracki