As the season winds down for yet another year here at the Shaw Festival, I can’t help but reflect on what I have learned throughout the past eight months during my first season at the Shaw.

10. Dogs are smarter than humans.
I think I’d be safe to say that all of the actors felt a bit of trepidation when we learned that we’d be sharing the stage with a 170 lb. Great Dane. But our fears were immediately put to ease when we saw just how gentle and clever Bismark was. It fascinated me to watch him learn his role, cue by cue, as the season progressed. In next to no time, he knew exactly when to stand up, sit down and exit, without the need to be prompted.

9. Niagara on the Lake is a beautiful town filled with lovely people.
This place is such a quaint little town that it’s hard to believe that it wasn’t pulled from a movie set. The people you meet, whether at the Valu-Mart or the Angel Inn, the Stone Road Grille or just passing on the street, are some of the most kind people you could hope for.

8. Having a life outside of theatre is important.
This is the longest contract that I have had so far, and it made me realize that as much as I love theatre, it is important to have a love of life outside of theatre as well. Keeping touch with my friends and family, and having a social life separate of the work has kept me grounded and happy.

7. Nothing is a guarantee.
As much as we wish we could control things and predict the future, we can’t. The paranoia that a lot of the acting company felt around the time of next season’s announcement was tangible. When it all boils down to it, there isn’t a lot that you can do to predict whether or not you’ll be invited back for another season. It was very difficult for me to keep this in mind, but I tried my best to remain positive and live in the moment. After all, I was here this year, and that in itself is a gift, regardless of next season’s casting.

6. As actors, we are constantly growing.
And this place gives us such a unique opportunity to take advantage of that. Whether it is through classes in dialect, singing or Alexander, or through the sheer nature of a lengthy contract, the growth doesn’t stop. In a long run like this, the characters on stage organically evolve, just as the seasons do. It has been fascinating not only to witness it first hand, but to experience it too.

5. Creative minds inspire me.
To be able to be a part of the creative process as I was this year for both Maria Severa and nobody told me was inspiring. I am still in awe (and will continue to be) of people like Paul and Jay who create their own work from scratch. I had to remind myself that not only were we singing these lovely melodies that I had never heard before, but they were created by nothing but the imagination of their minds. I am fascinated by how they were able to bring such life to their work.

4. This place defines ensemble.
Not only with the acting company, everyone involved with the Shaw Festival. Never have I worked at a place before where people work towards the same goal with such enthusiasm. It is a real privilege to go to work when you know that everyone from the ladies answering calls at the switchboard to the hard working folks in development to the cooks in the green room cafeteria and everyone in between are all on the same page. Working here doesn’t feel like being one actor amongst many faceless people. It feels like being in a large family.

3. Time flies.
February feels like yesterday. So much has happened over the past number of months, it’s hard to believe that this contract is already over.

2. I am surrounded by incredible people.
When you think of the Shaw Festival, talent goes hand in hand. You know that the calibre of talent is going to be second to none. But what most people don’t realize is what these people are like off stage. The members of this ensemble are some of the most genuine, generous people you could ever hope to meet. Not only are they captivating to watch on stage, they are the warmest souls in person and I feel lucky to have them in my life.

1. I love it here.
Period.

Until next time!

-Kelly