About Globe Productions

 

Georgetown Globe Productions is a not-for-profit musical theatre group whose members live in Halton Hills and the surrounding areas. For more than 40 years Globe has been providing local audiences with top-notch musical theatre. Throughout its history Georgetown Globe Productions has drawn from the Halton Hills community a wide array of talent that is manifest both onstage and off. Our members come from all walks of life and encompass all ages. Over 300 volunteers are involved on a yearly basis including 100 youth and their families. In addition to bringing quality musical theatre to the Town of Halton Hills, Globe is an active community supporter including participating in numerous community events, sharing our resources, and contributing our skills and expertise to the broader community.

Led by our founder Mr. Ralph Ursel, Globe’s precursor was originally started in 1964, the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth, hence the name Globe. The original concept consisted of “Vaudeville/minstrel” style shows of music and comedy organized on behalf of the Rotary Club.

 Influenced by the British background of many of the founding members they soon shifted to presenting English pantomimes. The “pantos” were performed in the Secondary School on Kennedy Road in Brampton because it had a decent stage. In the English tradition, we opened on Boxing Day. We did this for 3 years presenting Dick Whittington, Aladdin and Babes in the Wood. The scripts were imported from England and extremely corny!

Rehearsals took place in various locations – old warehouses, gas stations etc. Scenery was made and painted in an old barn in Glen Williams and paint brushes were washed by breaking the ice in the Credit River to get a bucket of water!

In 1967 Ralph Ursel had a serious car accident and a change of career so the organization then ran out of steam. It went into abeyance until 1981 when the John Elliott Theatre was built in Georgetown. With Ralph still at the helm we were off and running again!  In 1983 we were incorporated under the name of Georgetown Globe Productions, producing one show each year.

Over our history we have produced more than 100 shows and garnered more than 60 awards for our production and performance achievements. Each season Globe produces 4 shows encompassing both traditional and contemporary material. The experience of being part of Globe is both an educational one and a lively social outlet. Over the years several members have gone to careers in professional theatre.

In 2009, Globe identified in our growing community a need to provide an avenue for growth and mentorship for up-and-coming talent who will inherit our legacy of quality productions. As such, we are dedicated to produce one main stage Youth Company Show each season and to run educational camps and workshops covering all aspects of being involved in musical theatre.

One of our greatest community achievements has been the 2009-present day project to renovate and preserve the historic (1866) Old Armoury in the Georgetown Fairgrounds Park as our multi-function rehearsal/performance space. This journey culminated in 2023 when The Old Armoury was officially Designated by The Town of Halton Hills as “culturally and historically significant” under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Globe Productions

Georgetown Globe Productions is a not-for-profit musical theatre group whose members live in Halton Hills and the surrounding areas.