Our History
Since 1970, MAT has been a powerhouse in the realm of community theatre and is tightly woven in Orillia’s cultural tapestry. After over 55 years, nearly 200 productions over 300 Film Nights, MAT has proven to be a thriving and vital member of the arts community. We invite you to learn more about our history below!
Mariposa Arts Theatre: 50 Years
A lecture by Chris Newton for the Orillia Museum of Art & History's (OMAH) History Speaker Series about the history of MAT, from its humble beginnings in 1970 to its 50th anniversary in 2020. (1 hr)
1970's: The Beginning
In the late 1960s, the Orillia Opera House (OOH), one of Orillia’s most iconic structures, was suffering. The building was in a state of disrepair and disuse, hosting a mere ten events a year. When the OOH had first opened its doors in 1895, it was reputed to be the finest of its kind anywhere north of Toronto. The state it found itself in by the 1960s was unacceptable. Don Shave, the recently hired director of the Orillia Recreation Commission arranged a meeting to encourage the local arts community to innovate and make use of the venue. This congregation of actors, dancers, musicians and artists became the Orillia Council of Arts.
Inspired by the Orillia Council of Arts, a group of about 25 individuals, led by Jackson Spear (one of MAT’s founders), met at the Orillia Opera House on June 8, 1970 to discuss the formation of a local theatre company. This was the birth of Mariposa Arts Theatre (MAT). The company quickly assembled to begin production on their first show, and to restore the Orillia Opera House to a presentable state.
On October 17, 1970, On Monday Next, a play aptly about the challenges facing a theatre group leading into a production, debuted at the Orillia Opera House. Mariposa Arts Theatre’s first show ran for three nights, charging $1.50 for admission.
1980's: Oh Really, Orillia?
The 1980s opened with Harvey, directed by (DIR:) Doreen Hotson Kelly. Other productions included Pirates of Penzance in 1983, Death of a Salesman in 1984, DIR: Polly Spear, and Damn Yankees in 1985. In 1985, founding member Jackson Spear passed away and a production entitled One Enchanted Evening, DIR: Gary Brandstadt, was held in his honour at the Orillia Opera House. Over 400 people attended to celebrate his life and legacy through two acts of musical numbers from previous MAT productions. Proceeds were donated to the OOH Restoration Fund.
In 1987, several members of Mariposa Arts Theatre developed a spring revue under the title Oh Really, Orillia? The production was a variety show that included serious musical numbers, as well as satirical sketches which, in the tradition of Stephen Leacock’s Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town, poked fun at people and events both local and abroad. The revue provided a platform for MAT members to gain experience writing, performing and directing an original production. The show was both a critical and a financial success that ran for an additional fifteen seasons.
1990's: MAT Film Nights
MAT's financial circumstances continued to improve into the 1990s with productions such as Oliver (1990), DIR: Sandra Atkinson, and Brigadoon (1995), DIR: Yvonne Lacey. In 1997, MAT's And Then There Were None, DIR: Polly Burns, opened in the new Studio Theatre at the OOH, formerly the city's council chambers. This smaller theatre was a financially viable way for our shows to run for longer periods, and to this day provides an intimate show experience where MAT can introduce audiences to lesser-known productions.
One of MAT’s most successful programs has been our Film Nights, spearheaded in 1997 by Phil Hull, then president of MAT. Film Nights brings movies from the Toronto International Film Circuit to the local theatre to provide an alternative choice for movie-goers. To date over 300 films have been screened at Galaxy Cinemas Orillia (located in Westridge) for Film Nights. With profits from ticket sales going to MAT from these screenings.
Film Nights has been a reliable source of funding in leaner years, and has also enabled the company to construct our own facility. Our 2026-27 season marks Film Night's 30th anniversary!
Discover more about Film Nights!
2000's: The MAT Centre
The 2000s opened with Narnia, DIR: Polly Burns. Other productions that decade included Cabaret (2003), DIR: Wayne Noble, The Sound of Music (2006) DIR: Pam Craig & Kevin Scharf and My Fair Lady (2008) DIR: Phyllis Johnson. Notably, MAT's first venture into Shakespeare was in 2005 with Much Ado About Nothing, DIR: Sally Holdsworth.
In 2005, Mariposa Arts Theatre opened “A Home of Our Own,” a spectacular 5,000 square foot facility in Orillia, now called The MAT Centre. The project was made possible thanks to funds raised through a dedicated campaign, and in large part through MAT Film Nights. The building was an answer to a struggle to find rehearsal space and storage that had plagued the group since their earliest days. Evita was the first production to rehearse in the space.
The MAT Centre contains storage for props and costumes, a workshop for building sets, and a large space for rehearsals named the 'Phil Hull Rehearsal Hall' in 2013 after his passing the year prior. This space matches the dimensions of both the large and the small stage at the Orillia Opera House, meaning actors can practice in an accurately sized area. MAT hosts one show a year at the MAT Centre, and continues to share the space with the Orillia Opera House during the summer months. From practices to performances, and set building to costume design, the MAT Centre makes it all possible.
2010's: Orillia is Born
In 2011, MAT performed Music Man Junior, featuring a primarily youth cast. One of MAT's mandates is to support youth in theatre and, since 1976, MAT has given bursaries to a graduate from each high school in Orillia who is planning to pursue the performing arts.
MAT staged a production of Tomson Highway’s comedy, The Rez Sisters, DIR: Sandra Clark, in 2013, a which centered on seven women from a Manitoulin Island reserve and their bid to raise money for a trip to a bingo game in Toronto. Three of the seven actors were from Chippewas of Rama First Nation, two of which who had no prior acting experience!
To celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary in 2017, a joint effort between St. Paul's United Church and MAT resulted in Orillia is Born, an original musical written by Jim Lewis. This show depicted the fictionalized version of the beginnings of Orillia, which also celebrated its 150th that year. 2017 also brought about MAT's acclaimed production of CHICAGO, DIR: Wayne Noble. The decade closed with MAT's 2019 production of Urinetown, DIR: Valerie Thornton.
50 Years of Mariposa Arts Theatre
A brief visual overview of our 50th anniversary celebrations! (1m 30s)
Our 50th Celebrations
In 2020, MAT celebrated its 50th anniversary, an event which passed with limited fanfare as the occasion was overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Three years later, MAT was finally able to celebrate this milestone anniversary with a variety of events that were held throughout the season.
September 2023: Celebrations commenced with a lecture entitled “Mariposa Arts Theatre: 50 Years”, given by long-time member Chris Newton, as part of OMAH’s History Speaker Series highlighting their 50 years in the community.
September 23, 2023 – January 6, 2024: an exhibition titled “50 Years of Mariposa Arts Theatre” ran at the Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH), displaying costumes, props, playbills, and historical anecdotes. Another display was also available for viewing at the Orillia Public Library.
November 2023: November saw an anniversary celebration held at The MAT Centre and the opening of their 50th Anniversary Musical Revue, a retrospective which featured over twenty performers of all ages. On opening night, Mayor Don McIsaac proclaimed November 9th, 2023 as Mariposa Arts Theatre Day in the City of Orillia.
Here's to another 50 years!
Now in it's fifth decade, MAT is a mighty group of local performers and volunteers, entertaining thousands of spectators in four shows each year: three at the Orillia Opera House, and one at the MAT Centre. The company dabbles in comedies, musicals, dramas, and cabarets, regularly debuting an impressive cast of local talent both on and off the stage.
MAT remains a steadfast supporter of the Orillia community and of Canadian theatre. With a dedicated board of directors, a dynamic volunteer team, and a wealth of local talent, Mariposa Arts Theatre is primed for another incredible 50 years of high-quality community theatre.
See the full list of our past shows here!
Do you have an addition or correction to this list? Please email mariposaartstheatre@gmail.com!
Acknowledgements
This text, presented in the 50th Anniversary Exhibition, was researched and compiled thanks to the efforts of the following:
Susan Canfield, Vicki Anderson, Susan Mitchell, Dianne Richardson, Chris Newton, Wendy Fairbairn & Tom Rose.
Archival photos provided by Chris Newton & Susan Canfield. Recent show photography by Michael Beresford, Deb Halbot & Natalie Baker. Adapted for the website by Stephanie Lamb.