SASKATOON - When the question arose whether the venue encompassing Saskatoon’s Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan should be used more than just in summer months, the organization decided to venture into new possibilities.
Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan has been operating in Saskatoon since 1985, marking 40 years in 2025. The new permanent structure began construction in 2020 and the new site opened in 2021.
Since 2021, the facility has been available for rent.
Alyson Cook, Publicity for Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan says, “Interest in renting our space is still catching on, as it is sometimes difficult to imagine anything else happening on our site during the festival season. However, we have been lucky enough to host dance performances, weddings, poetry presentations, and cultural events. Renting the site directly helps support the festival.”
Cook affirms that the majority of their bookings occur in springtime and fall. However, their organization is open to discussions around parties that would like to rent the site for winter activities as well.
“We are also exploring the idea of making our space available for rent during the festival season as well, though, obviously, this is a lot trickier to manage in between all of our shows.”
Through these site rentals, it provides direct support to the operating cost of the festival.
Cook adds, “As a registered charity, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan relies on the support of our community to continue to produce exceptional theatre on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River. By renting our site, we are trying to create more ways that our community can help get involved with our organization, enjoy and spend time on the site, and help support local theatre.”
Another fairly new addition to the venue is the winter lights display, organized and managed by the group’s year-round staff. A local light designer is hired to create the designs and upload them into the venue’s Mosaic Lighting software program, and then from there it is managed for the duration of the winter.
“This past year we were super excited to partner with youth ambassadors from Jim Pattison’s Children Hospital to co-design these light designs with our lighting designer, and we are looking forward to working with them and other organizations like them in the future. We have been running the Winter’s Tale winter lights for three winters now, and they usually run from end of November to end of March,” acknowledges the SOS Publicist.
At this time, Cook states there are no plans to expand or upgrade this festival venue.
What can the renter expect? Rentals of this premier Saskatchewan festival venue can expect access to the buildings on site, if they’d prefer, as well as full access to the grounds themselves.
The SOS site can hold upwards of 500 people. However, the amphitheatre tent is not left up during the off=season, making the area open=air, with a concrete pad and risers where theatre chairs are normally places. It is also stated that the buildings on site are not heated.
“Above all, we are curious in exploring and figuring out what our space can be used for, rather than what it can’t be used for. We are extremely excited about the opportunity to figure out how we can help support different events and are more than willing to meet with potential renters to discuss how best to accommodate them and ensure our space can be used and enjoyed by all,” said Cook
In the wise words of William Shakespeare, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” This eloquently encompasses the current purpose and future vision for this summertime venue along the Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon.
