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Summer Theatre: A Decade of Laughter and Legacy
On now until August 31, 2025
This exhibit showcases 25 photographs, set pieces, props, and artifacts spanning 10 years of Summer Theatre at the Orillia Opera House—a celebration of comedy, community, and creative spirit.
Live theatre has deep roots in Orillia’s cultural history. Though just a small village in 1895, residents rallied together to build the Orillia Opera House, recognizing the importance of a shared space for arts and entertainment. After a devastating fire in 1915, that same spirit endured—despite the hardships of wartime, the community once again came together to rebuild. A place for live performance was seen not just as entertainment, but as essential to the community’s well-being.
Over the decades, live theatre in the summertime has thrived in many successful forms, with highlights including the Sunshine Festival, Laugh Out Loud Comedy, and more, each reflecting Orillia’s ongoing commitment to laughter, connection, and the arts.
Since 2015, under the artistic direction of Emmy award-nominee Jesse Collins, Summer Theatre has grown into a beloved annual series of three professional comedies. Achieving sold-out performances all summer long, it continues to offer audiences the simple joy of laughter—right here in the heart of Orillia.
This exhibit is free to view during regular Box Office hours: Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Meet Artistic Director Jesse Collins
"Theatre exists for a moment, then it's gone. But when I look at these moments frozen in time I see beyond the frames, all the things outside the edges: the work, the laughter, the joy."
Jesse Collins has been a driving force behind the Orillia Opera House's Summer Theatre series since its inception in 2015. As Artistic Director, he helped build the professional summer repertory program from the ground up, assembling a creative team, selecting (and even writing!) compelling scripts, and directing productions that have delighted audiences for over a decade. Now in his 11th season with the Opera House, Jesse continues to lead with passion, humour, and an unwavering belief in the power of live performance to bring communities together.
With over 40 years of experience in stage, radio, television, and film, Jesse is an Emmy-nominated director and a familiar face and voice in Canadian entertainment. His extensive credits include directing The Big Comfy Couch, acting in shows like Katts and Dog, and contributing to over 100 hours of network television. His voice work can be heard in numerous animated series, including The Adventures of Tintin and Babar.
Despite his national success, Jesse's dedication to curating Summer Theatre in Orillia has made the series a cornerstone of the region’s arts scene.
Meet Production Manager Ashley Whitten
Ashley Whitten is a multidisciplinary theatre artist from Orillia whose work spans stage management, production management, technical direction, set and lighting design, and carpentry. With a deep foundation in both the creative and technical sides of theatre, Ashley brings a rare blend of artistry and precision to every production she touches.
Ashley studied Carpentry at GTTI Skilled Trades Institute and Theatre Production & Design at York University. Her diverse credits include Art from the Heart 2024 (Heart of Riverdale), Season in the Bight (Rising Tide Theatre, 2021), Fly Fisherman’s Companion (Gravenhurst Opera House), Orlando (York University), and several standout productions at the Orillia Opera House, including Halfway There, Driving Miss Daisy, Lunenburg, A Christmas Carol: Ontario Tour, and Dean and Jerry: What Might Have Been.
A true expert in her field, Ashley is an essential part of the Orillia Opera House’s Summer Theatre success. Her leadership, creativity, and technical mastery have helped shape the series into the high-calibre, professional season audiences have come to expect.
We are deeply grateful to have her talent, dedication, and local pride behind the scenes.