08/22/2026
Thank you to all who attended our staged reading of Paul Dunn's Outside this week. As Chris Hewson, Chair of Pride in the Highlands said in his poignant closing night speech, Outside should be a time capsule. It should be a period piece.
Tragically, it is not.
Outside is the story of tremendous bravery from a young man in the face of relentless homophobic abuse in a school that should have been safe for him. It is a story that hit close to home for many of our audience members of all ages, and to our actors, who are about the same age as the teenage characters they play. The hatred Daniel faces within Salisbury Collegiate is still there. This story is still happening.
But, as Daniel says at the end of the play, knowing you are not alone helps. There is power in numbers. In the face of cruelty, lack of perspective, and weaponized ignorance, know that you are not alone. There are people in Haliburton County, who see you, who care for you, and who want to see you become the person you were always meant to be.
On Sunday, please join us at StreetFest to celebrate q***r joy in all its forms. There will be artwork, live performances, a vendor fair, a floating Pride Parade, FOOD - Everyone is Welcome.
From the cast and crew of Outside, we send tremendous thanks to our production partner, Pride in the Highlands, our sponsor, Up River Trading Co, and our venue, Highland Hills United Church. Thank you for helping to make Haliburton County a more welcoming, affirming and loving community.
