Durham Shoestring Performers

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Oshawa, ON
Durham Shoestring Performers

DSP was founded in 1974 by Jeannine Butler, whose objectives are followed by her successors today. Canadian plays have been prominently featured over the years.

CELEBRATING 44 YEARS IN 2017
DSP programs many shows not often seen in community theatre and has produced several new full-length works by local writers. Current artistic director Carolyn Wilson, who took the reins in 1990, selects each season's slate from among directors who put forward a show they love. Wilson's goal is to balance available roles across gender, age and experience lines in keepin

g with DSP's accessibility mandate, ensuring that backstage workers find their niche as well. All auditions are public and there are no fees to participate in the company. Adults and teenagers wanting to perform or to work backstage are always welcome. There's no membership fee to get involved in DSP, just a desire to create a few theatrical waves and the time to make it happen. Mission - Since 1974 DSP’s objectives have been all about quality and accessibility: To present challenging and entertaining plays with an emphasis on innovative acting, directing and design, and to produce these plays keeping costs low so that live theatre can be accessible to all members of the community. Committed to producing many Canadian plays, DSP also supports the work of local playwrights. Our shows are always chosen by the director, not by a committee, so there’s passion for the piece right from the beginning. Founded – by Jeannine H. Butler

08/01/2026

TEN DAYS UNTIL AUDITIONS FOR MESSENGER!

On August 10, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., come out to the Arts Resource Centre in Downtown Oshawa to try out. See below for all of the audition details!

Characters:

Age and gender refer to character; actors must be able to play the character’s age and gender. No accents will be required. Diversity is encouraged.

Kate Stockman (43 and 67)

Thomas Stockton (47), Kate’s husband, Minister of Environment

Peter Stockman (53 and 77), Thomas’s brother, Chief of Staff to PM

Jimmy Hall (38 and 62), reporter

Offstage voices of Newscaster, Production Assistant, Radio Host

For more information or to borrow a script for advance reading, please email DSP at [email protected] or phone 905-725-9256. If you are interested but not available on the audition dates, please contact DSP.

Auditions are held at the Oshawa Arts Resource Centre, 45 Queen St. There is plenty of free evening and weekend parking. Auditions are public readings using the script; no monologues or bookings required. No fees and no experience necessary, but you should read the script to determine your interest and suitability.

07/10/2026

Auditions for the first play of our 53rd season, Messenger, are in one month! On August 10, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., come out to the Arts Resource Centre in Downtown Oshawa to try out. See below for all of the audition details!

Characters:

Age and gender refer to character; actors must be able to play the character’s age and gender. No accents will be required. Diversity is encouraged.

Kate Stockman (43 and 67)

Thomas Stockton (47), Kate’s husband, Minister of Environment

Peter Stockman (53 and 77), Thomas’s brother, Chief of Staff to PM

Jimmy Hall (38 and 62), reporter

Offstage voices of Newscaster, Production Assistant, Radio Host

For more information or to borrow a script for advance reading, please email DSP at [email protected] or phone 905-725-9256. If you are interested but not available on the audition dates, please contact DSP.

Auditions are held at the Oshawa Arts Resource Centre, 45 Queen St. There is plenty of free evening and weekend parking. Auditions are public readings using the script; no monologues or bookings required. No fees and no experience necessary, but you should read the script to determine your interest and suitability.

06/03/2026

NOW ANNOUNCING SEASON 53:

Messenger by Wendy Lill
Directed by Andra Kelly
November 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 2026 at 7:30 pm
November 15, 21, 2026 at 2 pm

Things I Know To Be True by Andrew Bovell
Directed by Phil Ireland
January 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 2027 at 7:30 pm
January 24, 30 at 2 pm

A Doll's House Part 2 by Lucas Hnath
Directed by Shael Risman
March 27, 28, April 1, 2, 3 at 7:30 pm
March 29, April 4 at 2 pm

More information can be found at durhamshoestring.org/current-season/

AUDITION DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

Season art by Oetta Geraghty

04/03/2026

There are only two chances left to see The Valley... don't miss your chance to see this fantastic drama. The last performances are today and tomorrow, April 3rd and 4th. Ticket information can be found at durhamshoestring.org/tickets

Photo by The event fotographer

03/31/2026

We're back tomorrow for four more performances! April 1st until 4th are the last few days to catch THE VALLEY. Ticket information is at durhamshoestring.org/tickets

Photo by The event fotographer

03/30/2026

Artist and co-set designer Oetta Geraghty and DSP founder Jeannine Butler celebrating Oetta's set sculpture of the Rockies.

Some kind words from one of our patrons, "Your choice of plays just get better and better. This is definitely a story that needs to be told/heard and certainly at this time in our world. I am still going over each character's message and the effect each message can have on the listener/audience if the listener truly, 'listens'. The actors were outstanding in my opinion."

We will be back on Wednesday, April 1! Only four performances left, so don't miss out. Ticket information can be found at durhamshoestring.org/tickets

03/29/2026

Our Sunday show is SOLD OUT! We'll be off for a few days before performances begin again on Wednesday, April 1. Ticket information can be found at the link in our bio.

Photo by The event fotographer

03/26/2026

"The Rockies revealed themseves to me..." Izaiya Carter as Connor Crane in The Valley by Joan MacLeod. Performances begin TOMORROW, Friday, March 27 and run until Saturday, April 4. For more information and to purchase tickets, check the link in our bio.

03/24/2026

The Valley by Joan MacLeod is opening in THREE DAYS! Performances are running from Friday, March 27 to Saturday, April 4. For more information and to purchase tickets, check durhamshoestring.org/tickets.

03/21/2026

The Valley by Joan MacLeod is opening this coming Friday! Don't miss this important drama running from Friday, March 27 to Saturday, April 4. For more information and to purchase tickets, check durhamshoestring.org/tickets.

Address

45 Queen Street
Oshawa, ON
L1H3Z2

Website

http://www.durhamshoestring.org/

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