Trent Valley Archives Theatre
Returning May 2025
Crossing Over: Sequel Tide of Hope
A Fundraiser for The Trent Valley Archives
May 29 – 31, 2025
Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Peter Robinson settlers from Ireland to our district in 1825, ‘Crossing Over’ is a fictionalized account of the voyage of the emigrant transport ship, John Barry.
(More information.)
*** Tickets Available Now! ***
Have you seen the updated Heritage Gazette?
We are pleased to continue and expand on the pioneering work of archivist Elwood Jones and Steve Gavard as we explore the near and distant past in this full colour publication.
View the current and past issues
Hoppy Easter! 🐰 We hope everyone is having a restful long weekend. This photograph from our Examiner negative collection, taken on April 8, 1971, was featured on the cover of last year's April issue of the Heritage Gazette and is one of our favourites. The caption that was published alongside the photograph in the Examiner reads: Will The Real Easter Bunny Please Stand Up? (p.13): Laurie Christensen, 1 ½ , daughter of photographer Bruce Christensen with bunnies.
Our April issue of the Heritage Gazette of the Trent Valley has arrived! Our Heritage Gazette committee, including our new editor Alicia Bertrand, our photograph editor Madison More, and our archivist Elwood Jones, have worked hard to include a diverse collection of stories in this issue that they hope you will enjoy reading as much as they did. ![]()
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There is an article from Crossing Over co-playwright Ed Schroeter about the historical liberties he took to dramatize the voyage of the John Barry for the stage; a fascinating portrait of the surveyor J.W. Fitzgerald through the lens of four carefully curated primary sources by local historians Elwood Jones and Dennis Carter-Edwards; Mike Parnell's vivid personal reminiscences of Kelly's Island in Chemong Park, and much more! ![]()
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If you're subscribed to our mailing list, check your inbox for an email from us with links to download the issue. If you're not already subscribed to our mailing list, you can do so, here: trentvalleyarchives.com/newsletter-signup/. Once you've read the issue, we'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment down below with your thoughts on this issue and any suggestions you have for our next issue.
Crossing Over would not be possible without our crew! Each and every one of our crew members are passionate about telling the story of the Peter Robinson Irish Emigration and have been working hard behind the scenes to bring it to life on stage. Over the next two weeks, we’d like to feature our crew on our social media channels and publicly show our appreciation for their contributions. Today, we’re featuring our co-producers, Greg and Mary Conchelos. ![]()
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Greg and Mary became involved in the Peterborough theatre scene in 2004. They continued the efforts of Ed Schroeter with regard to Heritage Pavilion Stage, which provided school tours of Canadian history plays throughout the Kawartha region and beyond. Plays included Ed’s “Shadow of Genius,” “Figure of Peace,” “And Freedom for All,” and others. Greg and Mary also commissioned Ryan Kerr to write “Bonfire House,” about Dr. Hutchison, and Beau Dixon to write “Freedom Belles.” A number of productions were done as “environmental theatre” - in which plays are produced in places other than on a stage. One example was “A Figure of Peace,” which took place at the Peterborough Cenotaph. Greg and Mary also volunteered for several years with the Trent Valley Archives Cemetery Pageant. Greg contributed dramatization ideas and acting, and both were involved in writing scripts.![]()
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Crossing Over will be performed at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on May 29, 30 and 31 at 7:30pm and May 31 at 2pm. Tickets cost $30 each for regular seating and $40 each for cabaret seating and can be purchased on the Market Hall website, here: tickets.markethall.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=433
Crossing Over would not be possible without our crew! Each and every one of our crew members are passionate about telling the story of the Peter Robinson Irish Emigration and have been working hard behind the scenes to bring it to life on stage. Over the next two weeks, we’d like to feature our crew on our social media channels and publicly show our appreciation for their contributions. Today, we’re featuring our musical director, Michael Ketemer. ![]()
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Michael Ketemer is a Peterborough-based musician. He plays lyrical and lively tunes from various folk traditions, as well as ragtime and classical. He is a multi-instrumentalist on fingerstyle guitar, hammered dulcimer, tin whistle, and concertina.![]()
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Crossing Over will be performed at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on May 29, 30 and 31 at 7:30pm and May 31 at 2pm. Tickets cost $30 each for regular seating and $40 each for cabaret seating and can be purchased on the Market Hall website, here: tickets.markethall.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=433
Crossing Over would not be possible without our crew! Each and every one of our crew members are passionate about telling the story of the Peter Robinson Irish Emigration and have been working hard behind the scenes to bring it to life on stage. Over the next two weeks, we’d like to feature our crew on our social media channels and publicly show our appreciation for their contributions. Today, we’re featuring our costume designer, Elaine Day. ![]()
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On stage Elaine has performed in musicals, children's musical variety shows, and dramas. She performed the role of The Descendant (Trent Valley Archives Theatre, Tide of Hope, 2024). Behind the scenes, she has done sets, props, makeup, and costumes. There are always new things to learn in theatre. Her ancestor John Heffernan was a poor gardener on Lord George Kingston's estate. He had to leave Ireland with his wife Lady Elizabeth Kingston because of the scandal surrounding them. They came to Canada with Peter Robinson.![]()
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Crossing Over will be performed at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre on May 29, 30 and 31 at 7:30pm and May 31 at 2pm. Tickets cost $30 each for regular seating and $40 each for cabaret seating and can be purchased on the Market Hall website, here: tickets.markethall.org/eventperformances.asp?evt=433