Presented by Repercussion Theatre and Le CAM en tournée
An UnCanon Theatre creation

Shakesepeare-in-the-Park 2026

The Winter’s Tale

This is one of Shakespeare’s most thematically rich plays, exploring jealousy, injustice and forgiveness. In a fit of paranoia, King Leontes has ripped his family apart. His son is dead, his wife is gone and his daughter is lost for good. But as we move from the frozen rigidity of winter to the joyful abundance of summer, we witness the power of renewal. Is the end ever truly the end?

The Winter’s Tale has historically been called one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays,” that is a story that does not fit precisely in a tragedy or comedy category. We believe that actually makes it perfect for this historical moment, in which it feels like progress and cooperation isn’t possible, exactly when the tyranny of nationalism and greed need to be met with coming together; when hope can tend to feel naive. The Winter’s Tale is not a straightforward story of good and evil, but a struggle for harmony after tyranny, for forgiveness and coexistence, with sharp-tongued dissenting women, humor, and grief. It’s a play that can meet this moment.

This summer’s production, in collaboration with UnCanon Theatre, will place The Winter’s Tale in Nubian-futuristic aesthetic with an all Black and Brown cast. By situating Shakespeare’s text in conversation with contemporary questions of systemic injustice, resilience, and rebirth, the production will engage audiences in a reflection on power and belonging.

Directed by Lydie Dubuisson, the play will run from July 21st to August 15th.

A calendar with all the dates for the Shakespeare-in-the-Park tour

“The choice of The Winter’s Tale was a selfish one. In a year when I find myself longing for hope, justice, and plain grounded wisdom, this is the Shakespeare I needed. Its world is undone by suspicion, vanity, and abuses of power, yet it refuses total despair. Instead, it places its faith in truth, courage, accountability, and the possibility of renewal. It asks us to consider whether divine intervention is truly a miracle from above, or the human capacity to tell the truth, endure hardship, and remain faithful to our values when they are most tested. Beneath its wonders lies a simple conviction: we can still choose what is right.”

-Lydie Dubuisson, director of The Winter’s Tale

Shakespeare-in-the-Park 2026’s team

Writer
William Shakespeare

Director
Lydie Dubuisson

Costume & Set Design
Nalo Bruce

Composer
Don Paco

Shakespeare Coach
Bryan Doubt

Stage Manager
Jennifer Wilson

Apprentice Stage Managers
Alyssa Codling
Maiyah Johnson

Costume Coordinator
Hailee Jake Friesen

Head of Wardrobe
Elisabeth de Medeiros

Scenic Assistant
Aidan Sparks

Artistic & Managing Director
Catherine Savoie

Outreach Coordinator
Olivier Blais

Development Coordinator
Federico Verdier Diaz

Admin Assistant
Gregory Chae

Communications Assistant
Autumn Banks

Welcome Team
Ely Coache
Morgan Doke
Brigid Mcphee
Simon Morier

Technical Direction and Production Management
Shopdogs Inc.

Assistant Production Manager
Nico Noguera

Assistant Technical Director
Trinity McQuillan

Head Lighting
Sara Starling

Lighting Assistant
Claire Cousineau

Head of Sound
Chabe Castillo

Sound Assistants
Kathleen Greening
Vanessa Marion
Cendres Rivière