August 2025

Tim Wisener - Founder of The Grove Theatre

Fall greetings from The Grove Guild, Thank you to all who braved the rain to attend our first event. As they say in show business, “the show must go on!” The Grove Guild’s commitment to engage, educate and entertain is now underway!

Tim Wisener’s eye opening backstage tour revealed the passion, enthusiasm, and the hard work it takes to keep the theatre company running. The following were our takeaways:

Firstly, we witnessed how rudimentary the backstage area is. A series of approximately seven small beige-slatted back stage cabins serve as a multipurpose microcosm where big things happen. The area, a short jaunt from the stage (not visible to the audience), is where some 30 managers, crew and cast members work in preparation for each show. There’s a tiny office/ production hut, a dressing room, the “green room” (which functions as a dressing room/waiting area for the performers), and several storage huts. We also noted that the theatre runs without city services – water and irrigation are provided by local businesses. 

Next, we walked up the designated path through the woods and onto the open air stage. This was our moment to see and get a feel for how the shows “rock & roll” during performances. Behind the stage and up the back stairs, there’s a tiny roofed space that houses technical panels, musical instruments, and props. This “side wing” is meticulously organized for both efficiency and protection from the elements. We got to walk the catwalk where some of us stopped for an imagined celebrity moment and a few giggles. On the front stage, Tim explained how the “proscenium arch” (the decorated frame) and curtains evolved with the help of local businesses and volunteers who donated time, creativity, and materials. We observed the “spike tape” arrangements on the stage floor. Four sets of colored-coded symbols serve as cues for where an actor should stand or a set piece should be placed for each of the four shows.  

We then moved up the centre aisle of the amphitheatre to the “tech booth” or, as Tim referred to it: “air traffic control.” Mostly enclosed, it provides a clear, unobstructed view of the stage and serves as the central location for the technicians who operate the complex lighting and sound system equipment. It also serves as the stage manager’s station. Here we gained insight into the complex and pivotal role of the stage manager who is responsible for the workings and success of every performance. He/she communicates with the actors and crew members via headset. We were all amazed by the highly specific and detailed “prompt script” binders (all hand written) that are essential to each show. Fun fact: there are eleven stagehands required for each production.

Tim could have answered more questions but we were content with the insights we gained (small detail - it started pouring rain). We definitely parted with a good dose of theatre appreciation and all that goes into the inner workings of The Grove Theatre. 

Perhaps our biggest takeaway was that the founders of The Grove Theatre had a big vision–The theatre came to fruition through bold foresight, careful planning, creativity, dedication, perseverance, the ability to “go with the flow”, and not to mention volunteers, and fantastic Canadian talent. Tim made it clear that the theatre would not be the success it is today without the support of our community and the generosity of local businesses, season sponsors, the families that billet the actors and crew for three months, Grove patrons, and us theatre goers. What a macrocosm The Grove Theatre really is.  As the old saying goes, “it takes a village,” in this case, the village of Fenelon Falls.   

We’re excited to invite you to join us to our second event with Sean Cox, artistic director and co-founder of The Grove Theatre on Tuesday, September 30th from 4:30-5:30 pm at the Grove box office, 2 Water St, Fenelon Falls. Sean’s frank talk around Building The Grove’s Season will discuss the bigger picture behind the past and the upcoming season. Reserve your space with the invitation to follow. Refreshments will be served. Meet you there!