- A Short History of Niagara brings more than 12,000 years of regional history to life through puppetry and visual storytelling
- Free performances for all ages will run six days a week, from July 9 to August 18, at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, adjacent to the Butterfly Conservatory
- New partnership celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Butterfly Conservatory and 90th anniversary of the Botanical Gardens
- For more information, visit niagaraparks.com/shaw
Niagara Falls, ON – Niagara Parks is pleased to raise the curtain on a new partnership with the Shaw Festival, bringing an inclusive and accessible outdoor children’s theatre experience to the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens this summer.
A Short History of Niagara engages audiences of all ages in a visual feast, utilizing over 70 handcrafted puppets, inventive props and a vivid musical score to bring Niagara’s stories to life. The performers, visible throughout and without any dialogue, enchant with precision, humour and imagination.
The performances will take place under a tent at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, adjacent to the Butterfly Conservatory, creating a connected visitor experience that brings together play and discovery within one of Niagara’s most celebrated settings.
Performances will run six days a week from July 9 through to August 18 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (no performances on Wednesdays). Show run time is 25 minutes. As part of Niagara Parks’ commitment to accessibility for all, admission is complimentary for guests visiting the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. For more information, visit niagaraparks.com/shaw.
This family-friendly production supports the next chapter of growth at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, in celebration of its 90th anniversary. This summer, Niagara Parks will also unveil an innovative new interactive exhibit at the Butterfly Conservatory, which is marking its 30th anniversary as a beloved family-friendly attraction in Niagara. Looking ahead, this fall, construction will begin on a brand-new, four-acre Children’s Garden at the Botanical Gardens, in collaboration with the Niagara Parks Foundation.
About the Artists
A Short History of Niagara has been created by artists Alexandra Montagnese (actor, writer, and curator of Toronto’s puppet theatre, Concrete Cabaret) and Mike Peterson (credited on numerous works for film and television including Labyrinth and Fraggle Rock). The show will be performed by Peterson and Niagara-based performer Katie Ryerson (seen on stage at the Shaw Festival in various productions and in Toronto in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).
About A Short History of Niagara
“Shaw puppet show is like ‘skipping a stone across history’”- Niagara Now
“The show takes on the task of compressing 12,000 years of the history of the Niagara region into a 30-minute puppet play without dialogue. It may sound like an impossible proposition, but the result is thoroughly delightful. It should please both young and old, both newcomers to the area and those who have always lived there.” – Christopher Hoile, Stage Door
Media assets are available here.
QUOTES
“Niagara Parks is proud to partner with the Shaw Festival to help tell the stories of this remarkable place. As stewards of 56 kilometres of the Niagara River corridor, storytelling is an important part of how we connect people to the land. By pairing this creative outdoor production with the evolving experiences at the Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory, we are creating welcoming spaces where families can learn, explore and connect together.” – Niagara Parks Chair Graham Coveney
“The Shaw Festival is thrilled to be part of Niagara Parks’ transformation of the Niagara River corridor into a space for learning and inspiration. We believe in sharing our ideas and experiences through creative storytelling and this partnership is a natural extension in making theatre accessible to all, while strengthening community connections. A Short History of Niagara is a perfect fit for this initiative – offering a unique, charming and imaginative way to connect with the heritage of this land, while providing an inspiring, engaging production for families to enjoy in welcoming outdoor spaces specially created for them.” – Tim Jennings, Executive Director, Shaw Festival
“The new Children’s Theatre experience in the botanical gardens offers another exciting activity for families visiting the Niagara Region. Located close to the Butterfly Conservatory, Niagara Parks’ innovative collaboration with the Shaw Festival will be part of a connected set of attractions where families can easily enjoy a fun day out together. This partnership is the kind of exciting new initiative that strengthens Niagara’s appeal as a premier destination, supports local tourism and culture and brings Ontario’s bold Destination Niagara Strategy to life.” – Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
About the Shaw Festival
One of the five largest charitable theatre companies in North America and one of Niagara’s 20 largest employers, the Shaw Festival’s mission is to enrich and connect people’s lives through theatre. Based in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Shaw’s 2026 productions include Funny Girl, One for the Pot, Amadeus, Sleuth, Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, A New Work in Progress by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, The Wind in the Willows, Heartbreak House and Ohio State Murders. The Shaw Festival’s Holiday Season includes A Year with Frog and Toad and Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Through its All.Together.Now. campaign, The Shaw is creating new spaces and programs where people can build real human connections and rediscover their creativity. For more information visit shawfest.com.
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