January 25, 2026
Spring Fling Afternoon Tea Fundraiser
We are back again this year with our annual afternoon tea fundraiser!
This event is a fundraiser for Gale Force Theatre Youth programs.
Invite your sweetie or sweet pals to a delightful afternoon of tea, coffee and an assortment of cakes and sandwiches. Bring cash to enter to win a raffle basket or to have a poem recited at your table.
This year there are two seatings, the first at 1:30pm and the second at 3:30pm. Chose the time that is most convenient to your and your paramour.
Accessibility and Parking : The Local Council of Women’s House is located at 989 Young Ave and has a ramp on the right side of the building. There is also an accessible washroom on the ground floor. Street parking is allowed on both sides of the street.
Tickets available at : https://tinyurl.com/yrw9sje5
October 23, 2025
Icarus, Falling of Birds Video
We are pleased to share our video of this summer’s production of Icarus, Falling of Birds! Thank you to Callum Gaudet for making us this beautiful video.
September 11, 2025
Go, Sparrow, Go! – Eastern Shore Performances
Go, Sparrow, Go! A new performance for kids ages 5+ and their adults is coming the Eastern Shore this September. Go, Sparrow, Go combines storytelling, games, and environmental education into a playful 30 minute performance exploring the lives of Sable Island’s very special bird, the Ipswich Sparrow.
Thanks to the good folks at Park People, we’ll be offering two free performances of the piece.
When and Where: 2pm on September 27th at the Sheet Harbour Lion’s Playground Park and 2pm on September 28th at the Musquodoboit Peace Park
Run Time: 30 minutes
Additional Activities: After the performance, we’ll have lemonade and a craft activity by Gale Force Theatre and the Deanery Project.
Free!
July 8, 2025
Icarus, Falling of Birds – New Outdoor Performance
ROSS CREEK PERFORMANCE IS SOLD OUT!
We’ve got a new show coming to a meadow near you this August!
Icarus, Falling of Birds
Created by Gale Force Theatre
Designed by North Barn Theatre
Icarus, Falling of Birds is an experience of poetry on an epic scale. In September of 2013, thousands of migratory songbirds perished after being lured like moths to a flame to a hundred-foot-high flare at the Canaport Liquefied Natural Gas plant in Saint John, New Brunswick. This unique outdoor performance, adapted from the book of poetry and photography of the same name by Harry Thurston and Thaddeus Holownia, features a reading by the poet, large-scale puppetry, a string trio composed by Blue Lobelia and a youth ensemble of performers. As an audience member, you’ll walk from scene to scene, taking in each striking element of this performance situated in the landscape where these same birds may have made their homes.
Shows:
Preview – 6pm Friday August 22 at York Redoubt, Halifax
Show – 6pm Saturday August 23 at York Redoubt, Halifax
Show – 6pm Sunday August 24 at Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, Canning
Ticket link for York Redoubt : https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/icarus-falling-of-birds
Ticket link for Ross Creek: https://artscentre.ca/two-planks/buy-tickets/
This project was funded by Arts Nova Scotia and Canada Council for the Arts
June 12, 2025
Call for Emerging Musicians!
Gale Force Theatre is seeking 2 recent graduate/emerging violinists and one recent graduate/emerging cellist for our new show Icarus, Falling of Birds. Musicians will join this large scale outdoor performance adapted by the book Icarus, Falling of Birds by Harry Thurston and Thaddeus Holownia. The string trio will play an original 8 minute composition by local composer Blue Lobelia.
Performances in Halifax and Ross Creek Centre for the Arts. Important dates (evenings) are August 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24.
To apply please send a short letter of introduction, your CV and sample of your playing to galeforcetheatre@gmail.com. Remuneration is $900.
April 1, 2025
Spring and Summer Youth Opportunities!
We are excited to be offering two programs opportunities for teens and pre-teens this spring and summer! For pre-teens (ages 11-14) we are offering 5 evenings of master classes in costume and prop creation, clown and improv. For teens (ages 14-18) we are looking to create a youth ensemble to perform in our newest play Icarus, Falling of Birds at the end of the summer.
Reach out by email (galeforcetheatre@gmail.com) to book an audition time or for more information!
January 22, 2025
Heart’s Desire Afternoon Tea Tickets Available!
💘We’re hosting a Valentine’s afternoon tea in support of our youth programs!💘
Tickets : https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/hearts-desire-tea-fundraiser
Come with your bff(s), sweetheart, grandma, mum, nephew, new pal to an afternoon of sweets, sandwiches, and coffee or tea. February 15th from 2-4:30pm at the gorgeous The Local Council of Women house. Celebrate love with some cozy treats all for the good cause of providing more opportunities for youth to participate in theatre. We’d love to see you there!
Poster by Jessie McLaughlin
November 25, 2024
Tickets Available for While We Wait in Halifax!
Tickets for our While We Wait shows at the Bus Stop Theatre in Halifax on January 25-26 are on sale now!
Tickets : https://tinyurl.com/mw8pax72
All tickets are pay-what-you-can starting at $10. We offering two performances as day, one at 11am and another at 2:30. Tickets at the link in our bio!
While We Wait is Gale Force Theatre’s most recent offering for children and their adults. This heart-filled play follows the year in the life of a young girl named Leo as she discovers a magical garden shed. How do we face unwanted change? What can the natural world tell us about presence, control, and connection if we watch and listen? This delightful piece features live scoring by percussionist Erin Donovan, tabletop and shadow puppets, and is an enchanting introduction to live theatre for families.
Recommended for children ages 5-10.
Run time 55 minutes.
Thank you to the Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Nova Scotia and Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia for their support in the development and presentation of this work.
November 4, 2024
Meet the Creative Team of While We Wait!
October 25, 2025
While We Wait Premiers!
🦆 Come to the world premier of our new show for young audiences, While We Wait! 🐸
Nov 9, 2pm – The Annex – Canning, NS
Canning Tickets Here: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/artscentre-ca/items/584057/calendar/2024/11/?flow=no&full-items=yes
Nov 10, 2pm – The Band Hall – Parsboro, NS
Parrsboro Tickets Here: https://www.showpass.com/while-we-wait/
Jan 25-26, 10am & 2pm – Bus Stop Theatre – Halifax, NS
This original show for early elementary-aged kids follows a year in the life of a young girl named Leo and her discovery of a magical garden shed. As the seasons pass, she struggles against the changes in her own life. This show is a celebration of inter-species kinship and the power of noticing.
The piece features live music, puppetry and is an enchanting introduction to live performance.
This project was supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Nova Scotia and Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia.
Leo played by Lily Falk
Puppeteer and Designer – Laura Stinson
Composer and Musician – Erin Donovan
Director – Franziska Glen
Lighting Designer – MacKenzie Cornfield
Dramaturge – Ali Joy Richardson
Dance Consultant – Jade Douris-O’Hara
Collaborator – Ailsa Galbreath
Poster – Jessie McLaughlin
August 12, 2024
Are you our next musician/composer?
Gale Force Theatre is seeking a musician/composer for our new play for young audiences, While We Wait.
While We Wait follows the year in the life of a young girl as she transforms her backyard shed into a magical playhouse. It explores how the rhythms of the natural world can reflect our own internal and emotional experiences. This is a 45 minute play for early elementary students (ages 5-10). It features more traditional theatrical elements as well as puppetry. The cast is one performer, one puppeteer, plus the musician/composer.
We’re looking for someone who loves collaboration and who’s excited to create playful performances for children. You won’t be composing children’s music but music that will be heard and enjoyed by children. We’re open to musicians from any tradition or genre.
The musician/composer responsibilities:
- Attend creation period and rehearsals in Halifax
- Create an original score that you will play live for the performances
- Be available for shows most weekends and some weekdays through November as well as January 24-26 2025. These performances will take place around the Maritimes and may require overnight stays.
- The score must be played on instruments that don’t require amplification or electricity.
- Create a written score of your work
Schedule:
- Creation period: October 8-11, October 15-18
- Rehearsals: October 20-24, October 28-November 1
- Performances most weekends in November will have some potential weekdays. The weekend performances may require Friday night departures.
Remuneration:
- The musician will receive a $3000 composition fee paid in two installments, one on the first day of creation, the second on the day of the first performance.
- Weekly rate for creation and rehearsals is $940 and $650 per weekend of shows. Weekday show for additional fees.
To apply:
- Send a brief self-introduction, samples of your recent work, and a bit about why you’d like to work on this project to galeforcetheatre@gmail.com
- Happy to answer any questions, email us at galeforcetheatre@gmail.com
Deadline: August 23, 2024
May 9, 2024
Lupinder’s Tent at the Market!
Ms. Grismunda and Lupinder would like to thank all those who popped by Market Micros with Eastern Front Theatre at Alderney Landing farmer’s market!
What a delight to be alongside our pals, North Barn Theatre Collective and the many curious young audience members (and their adults!). It was a hoot!
Lupinder’s Tent is a festival style show for young audiences. Folks are welcome to wander in and out to capture stories from Lupinder’s many friends and visitors at her Lost and Found.
Photos by James Arthur Maclean
April 25, 2024
Lupinder’s Tent at Alderney Landing in Dartmouth
We are excited to be joining Eastern Front Theatre with their Market Micros!
MARKET MICROS
APRIL 27 @ 10am – 1pm
FREE
www.easternfronttheatre.com/market-micros
Alderney Landing in Downtown Dartmouth
Lupinder’s Tent is a tiny spectacle for a small-scale audience. Come and visit The Lost and Found, located in a beautiful, patchwork tent where you’ll hear stories from the Bog and help Lupinder and Ms. Grismunda return lost items to where they belong. Performed by Lily Falk and Franziska Glen, and directed by Jane Wells, Lupinder’s Tent is an interactive performance for young audiences 6+ that relishes in the joy and mystery of all things miniature.
March 4, 2024
Lupinder’s Tent comes to PEI
Thank you to Radiant Rural halls for hosting the premier performances of Lupinder’s Tent in beautiful Breadalbane, Prince Edward Island. Radiant Rural hall is a project run by this town is small bringing arts and cultural events to rural PEI during the shoulder seasons. Thank you to Canada Council for the Arts, The River Clyde Pageant and Becca the Witch for a making this event possible.
March 1, 2024
Adventures in Outdoor Theatre Trailer!
Check out our wonderful pre-teens in their original play, Secret and Snowflakes performed in Shubie Park (Dartmouth, NS) on December 20th, the eve before Winter Solstice! We feel very lucky to work with wonderful youth. Video created by Kurtis McAllister. This project was supported by Arts Nova Scotia and The Adventure Earth Centre.
January 15, 2024
Outdoor Theatre LAB Trailer!
We are so pleased to share this program trailer of our Outdoor Theatre LAB made by Kurtis McAllister! This video was taken during dress rehearsal of How the Earth Takes You (And You Begin Again), an original creation made during the fall with our teen participants. Thank you to Arts Nova Scotia and the Adventure Earth Centre for making this possible.
December 1, 2023
Gearing up for the Winter Solstice!
We have been busy with both of our outdoor theatre youth programs this fall preparing for our Winter Solstice Performances! Since October we have been creating two original plays inspired by the Winter Solstice to be performed outdoors. We have spent our time getting to know each other, the other species that live around us and have imaged their stories and rituals around the Winter Solstice. What happens when a Canada Goose decides not to migrate? Have you heard about the gnome pilgrimage to the Dingle Tower on the full moon? What is stirring in the woods? Our young artists invite the audience to join them on a journey through the dark to find out what is on the other side.
Thank you to the Adventure Earth Centre and Arts Nova Scotia for making these programs possible.
July 17, 2023
Thank you Ship’s Theatre Company
Thank you to the Ship’s Theatre Company and all those who came out for a successful and joyful run of Crypthand! A big thanks to staff of the Ship’s and the Town of Parrsboro for making us feel welcome.
We were fortunate to welcome new members to the cast and crew of Crypthand, including Oksana Sirju in the role of Eliza, Ali Enriquez as our musician, Kurtis McAllister in sound design, Krista Levy as costume supervisor, Krista Klassen in props, Ella MacDonald as our intimacy director, Kat Jones as our technician and Nicole Flynn as technical director.
June 2023
Crypthand coming to The Ship’s Theatre Company
Crypthand is coming to Parrsboro, NS this July at the Ship’s Theatre Company!
We are beyond delighted in having Crypthand back on stage and to share it with the beautiful community of Parrsboro. If you missed us last Fall in Halifax, this is your chance!
Join us on the tidal banks of the Bay of Fundy for your chance to see Crypthand this July 5-16!
March 29, 2023
Outstanding Emerging Production
What a tremendous honour for Crypthand to be awarded this year’s Theatre Nova Scotia Outstanding Emerging Production! This small big play would not have been possible without the care and work for so many people.
Thank you to the Atlantic Playwrights Recourse Centre, Pamela Halstead, Richie Wilcox, and Laura Vingoe-Cram who have supported this script and play from the twinkle in Lily’s eye to full fledge production. Thank you to Anita Majumdar for your generous insight and playful offers in making the script more truthful. Thank you to Sabrina Stace, Garry Williams, Holly Meyer-Dymny, Ryan Wilcox, Suba Sankaran and MacKenzie Cornfield for designing, composing, sewing and building the world of our dreams. Thank you to Ailsa Galbreath, Mara Teare, Alexa Kirste and Tara Taylor for inhabiting the characters and bringing the music to life. Thank you to the Bus Stop Theatre and Amelia George for housing and supporting the show. Thank from the bottom of our hearts to Kevin Olson for making sure everything ran smoothly and on time with such care and patience. And thank you to the audiences who braved hurricane aftermath and came out to see Crypthand.
Much love and thanks from Franziska and Lily
March 19, 2023
Honey Harbour Begins!
After our workshop reading of the first 3 episodes of Honey Harbour in December, we begin recording our pilot episodes. We are happy to be working with long time friend and collaborator Kurtis McAllister to record and mix this serialized audio drama for middle grades. Thank you to the Canada Council for their support.
October 31, 2022
Winner of the Playwright Guild of Canada Emerging Playwright’s Award!
We are thrilled to announce that Lily Falk’s play Crypthand won 2022 Emerging Playwright Award from the Playwright’s Guild of Canada. This would not be possible without the generous support and care of the Atlantic Playwright’s Resource Centre (PARC), Pamela Halstead, Richie Wilcox and Anita Majumdar. Thank you to all who have joined us on this long and beautiful journey.
September 30, 2022
Crypthand Accessibility Guide Now Available!
If you prefer a guide with a blue background, one is found below:
August 31, 2022
Crypthand Tickets On Sale Now!
Tickets can be found at Ticket Halifax through the above link!
We’re thrilled to be presenting, Crypthand, an original, award winning tragicomedy meets queer costume drama, based on the coded diaries of Anne Lister. Written by Lily Falk and directed by Laura Vingoe-Cram. The show runs at the Bus Stop Theatre on September 23, 24 at 7:30, 25 at 2pm, 29, 30, October 1 at 7:30pm and October 2 at 2pm.
August 12, 2022
Summer at the Clyde River Pageant
Gale Force Theatre’s Lily and Franziska were thrilled to spend the summer as apprentices to the River Clyde Pageant in New Glasgow, PEI. Thank you to the Canada Council for the Arts for their financial support and to Megan Stuart, Jane Wells and Ian McFarlane for their generous mentorship.
April 12, 2022
Hurray for Gale Force Theatre!
We couldn’t have been happier with our first Merrit Awards Ceremony! Congratulations to Kurtis McAllister on winning Outstanding Musical Direction for A Tale On Two Wheels and to Franziska Glen for winning this year’s Neptune RBC Chrysalis Emerging Artist Award. A huge thank you so much to Theatre Nova Scotia and to all of those making theatre in this province that have welcomed us so generously and warmly.
Looking forward another year of great theatre and getting you know the community better.
March 29, 2022
Theatre Nova Scotia Merrit Award Nominations
We are are thrilled to be among this years the nominees for Theatre Nova Scotia Robert Merritt Awards! A Tale on Two Wheels received 3 nominations for Outstanding Original Composition (Kurtis McAllister), Outstanding Musical Direction (Kurtis McAllister) and Outstanding Choreography (Franziska Glen and Lily Falk). It is a real honour to be nominated alongside so many other wonderful and talented artistes.
Congratulations to all the other nominees! Can’t wait to see you at the Merritts!
December 10, 2021
Winter Solstice Event
This month, in partnership with The River Clyde Pageant, we’ll be hosting two Winter Solstice events to mark the return of the sun!
On December 18th from 1-4pm, we’re hosting a free, all-ages Lantern Making Workshop at the Universalist Unitarian Church at 5500 Inglis Rd, Halifax. Come down and learn how to make a simple, beautiful lantern to light these darkest days of the year. We will provide all materials to make cardboard stencil cut out lanterns.
Then on December 21st from 6-7:30pm, we’ll be hosting a Solstice Walk with songs and stories in the woods behind Wychwood Studios in Upper Lahave.
COVID-19 safety measures such as mask wearing and vaccine requirements will be in place.
Thank you so much to The River Clyde Pageant for making these events possible!
October 12, 2021
Last Performance of A Tale On Two Wheels for the Season
After a summer of touring our show around the province, we have come back to Halifax for our final performance. On Sunday, October 17th at 11am we will be performing at the Public Gardens. The show is non-ticketed free event and will have an ASL interpreter. See you there!
August 1, 2021
Province Tour
This August we will be touring A Tale On Two Wheels to community outside of the HRM! You can find us in Lockeport, Antigonish, Chester and Parrsboro!
July 22: Town of Lockeport – Seacaps Park, Lockeport 11am and 2pm
August 8: Festival Antigonish – Piper’s Glen, Antigonish 11am and 2pm
August 14 : Chester Playhouse – Lordly Park, Chester 11am and 2pm
August 25-28: Ship’s Company, Parrsboro, time and locations: https://www.shipscompanytheatre.com/picnic-plays/
Tale on Two Wheels Performance Dates and Locations in HRM
July 4, 2021
It’s here! We are so excited to be bringing this show for free to parks around Kjipuktuk/Halifax. It’s full of whimsy, puppet magic, and original music played live by Kurtis Eugene! This 35 minute show is made especially for audience members between 18 months and 6 years and their adults.
It follows two delivery workers who deliver the daytime, who are thrown into chaos when asked to deliver the night. The play explores wonder at the natural world and facing our fears with authenticity, gentleness, and heart. COVID-19 performance protocols will be followed at all shows.
Show Dates and Locations:
July 9: The Dingle (Sir Sandford Fleming Park), 11am and 2pm
July 10: Fort Needham Park, 11am and 2pm
July 11: Dartmouth Commons, 11am and 2pm
July 16, 17, 18: Point Pleasant Park, near upper Parking Lot (Tower Road), 11am and 2pm
July 23: Fish Hatchery Park, Bedford, 11 am
July 23: Dewolf Park, Bedford, 2pm
July 24: Common Roots Farm BiHi, 2pm
July 25: Public Gardens (Family Lawn Area), 12pm
Thank you so much to the Canada Council for the Arts to their support of this project. We’re very excited to be a part of Shakespeare by the Sea (by the sea) lineup, helping us bring the show to Point Pleasant Park. Huge thank you to our favourite local bike shop, Long Alley Bikes for helping us kit out our new show tandem! And of course, to Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia who’ve been hugely supportive for the development journey of this piece.
description: Poster, it reads A Tale on Two Wheels: A show for wee ones delivered to parks by tandem bike. The image is a line drawing of two people with wild and flowing braids riding a blue tandem bike with giant monarch butterfly wings attached. There’s a big sun behind them and they’re riding on a path by a tree.
Seeking Volunteer Ushers for Tale On Two Wheels this July
June 11, 2021
Let’s Bring Joy, Together! Tale on Two Wheels is coming to parks around the HRM this summer and we’re looking for volunteer ushers to help us make our free outdoor show run safe and smooth for all.
To sign up, fill out the form https://forms.gle/sLxL1zVrrSN8iCU98
Information from the images: Image 1 – Let’s bring joy, together! Gale Force Theatre is looking for volunteer ushers for A Tale on Two Wheels, that will be delivered to parks around the HRM this July. (Image of two women with braids flying in the wind ridding a tandem bike. The sun rises in behind them). Image 2 – A Tale on Two Wheels is a whimsical and thoughtful show delivered to parks by tandem bike. It’s especially made for children ages 18 months to 4 years. Are you…? Someone who loves theatre? The great outdoors? Do you want to bring the joy of a free arts experience to families across the city? Over the age of 14 would you like to help us implement our covid-19 safety protocol to make sure our audiences are comfortable and safe? Then we want you! Image 3 – We have lots of dates and times available. Volunteer once or for every performance! Each volunteer slot lasts 1.5 hours. For more information, check the form above.
Play Reading of Crypthand at Stages Theatre Festival
June 1, 2021
Gale Force Theatre is thrilled to be presenting a virtual reading of Lily Falk’s play Crypthand at Eastern Front Theatre Stages Festival.
Catch Crypthand‘s reading on Tuesday June 8th at 4pm!
Crypthand will be read by Franziska Glen, Ria Kapur and Ailsa Galbreath under the direction of Laura Vingoe-Cram. Music by Garry Williams and Alexa Kirste and costumes by Sabrina Stace.
For information about tickets and other events at Stages visit https://www.easternfronttheatre.com/stages.html
Poster Design by Colleen MacIsaac
Seeking Applications for a Composer!
March 4, 2021
Begin work in April 2021 with production dates beginning in July
Compensation : $2700
We’re currently seeking applications to hire a composer for our original show for very young audiences, A Tale on Two Wheels. This production is slated to be delivered by tandem bike for free to parks around the HRM and Nova Scotia in July and August 2021.
What we’re looking for:
- Must be currently based in Nova Scotia
- Available for work beginning April
- Someone who’s comfortable composing music for a single, portable, non-electronic instrument
- Someone who’s excited about working in a collaborative environment on a devised theatre piece tailored for ages 18 months to 4 years.
We’re especially and enthusiastically seeking applications from:
Equity seeking, emerging artists who love whimsy and magic. We’re open to wide range of musical styles and instruments. You won’t be writing “children’s music” but music that will be played for children.
If you think this might be you, write us an email at galeforcetheatre@gmail.com with a little bit about yourself and some samples of previous work. Applications close March 19th, 2021
To see pictures and information about A Tale on Two Wheels, check out our website at http://www.galeforcetheatre.ca
Gale Force Theatre 