Save the Date2027 Annual Spring Retreat
Programming and registration details are coming soon. The retreat is open to OP members and non-members alike. Presenters, agents and managers, artists and others in the extended OP community are all welcome.Add to Google Calendar →
Past Retreats
2026 Spring Retreat
The 2026 Annual Spring Retreat brought three days of learning, connection and rest! From June 1–3, Ontario Presents members, colleagues and friends gathered at Living Water Resorts in Collingwood, Ontario.
We kicked things off on Monday with Ask a Lawyer, a pair of interactive contract workshops led by Karan Chahal, Principal Lawyer at LSC Law. Running in separate streams for presenters and for artists and agents, the sessions walked through real-world contract examples and what to watch for when negotiating or signing agreements, with plenty of time for attendees’ own questions.
On Tuesday morning, psychotherapist Tara McGee (MSW, RSW), Founder and Director of the Collingwood Psychotherapy and Yoga Centre, led Sustaining Your Wellbeing in High-Demand Work. The session offered practical strategies for boundaries, stress regulation, rest, movement and emotional processing for theatre managers, booking agents, artists and others in high-demand roles.
That evening, we were treated to Rising Synergy, a cross-Disability poetic aerial fabric duet by InterComplimentary Journeys (aerialists Erin Ball and Maxime Beauregard), with live music by Andrew Heule. Created with VibraFusionLab and access strategist Amy Amantea, the performance transformed the aerialists’ live heartbeats into sound and vibration, and featured pre-recorded open creative description throughout.
Between sessions, there was plenty of time for shared meals, catching up with old friends and meeting new colleagues.
A heartfelt thank you to Karan, Tara, Erin, Maxime and Andrew, to the team at Living Water Resorts for hosting us, and to everyone who made the trip to Collingwood.
2025 Spring Retreat
The 2025 Annual Spring Retreat was three inspiring days of connection, learning, and rejuvenation! From May 26–28, Ontario Presents members, colleagues, and friends gathered at Living Water Resorts and the Bear Estate in Collingwood, Ontario for a rich mix of professional development, discussion, and good fun.
We began the retreat on Monday with an energizing keynote from Diana Webley, Reset, Refocus, Reignite, followed by expert Q&A sessions with Serge Cassano of Entandem and Robert Baird, President of BAM!, who offered valuable insights on licensing, international touring, and taxation. Attendees then joined an Indigenous Welcome Walk with Jennifer Parker and Jillian Morris at the Awen’ Gathering Place, grounding the retreat in gratitude and local connection. The evening wrapped up with a BBQ farmhouse buffet, a lively line dancing lesson, and time for games and laughter with colleagues.
Tuesday began with an icebreaker and an engaging session, Arts Centres as Community Hubs, led by Franco Boni and Aislinn Rose from The Theatre Centre in Toronto. The afternoon featured Key Topic Round Tables, where participants dove into areas such as programming, marketing, funding, and the role of AI in the performing arts. The evening ended with another delicious dinner, more games, and even a cozy book club gathering around the campfire.
On Wednesday, we came together for a Big Ideas Brainstorm, building on the previous day’s discussions to identify creative strategies for the sector’s future, before parting ways with gourmet boxed lunches to go.
A heartfelt thank you to all our speakers, facilitators, and the team at Living Water Resorts and Bear Estate for hosting us in such a beautiful setting. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!
2024 Spring Retreat
The 2024 Annual Spring Retreat consisted of two wonderful days of professional development, networking and fun! From June 12th - 14th, 2024, OP members, colleagues and friends gathered at the Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario to connect, learn from each other and engage in important informal sector discussions.
We began the retreat with two simultaneous sessions. The first was a Presenter 24/25 Seasonal Review during which presenters were invited to an opportunity to meet with colleagues to review the block booking process for the 24/25 season. The second was a Community Sector Conversation facilitated by booking agents Genny DeMerchant (owner, You Will Love It Live) and Nicole Rochefort (owner, AIM Booking Agency) where they reviewed a variety of current-day topics that are relevant to industry members across the sector. The evening concluded with a dinner at The Mill on Main.
The following day began with an opening of the event circle from local Indigenous leader Shawn Waters Corbiere and an introductory session in which we greeted and met with our friends, new and old. Following this was an inspirational session on the Slow Touring Project lead by Programs Associate Ceilidh Wood. The rest of the day was spent making new connections and soaking up the beautiful Deerhurst sun. We ended the day at Tall Trees restaurant for an amazing meal full of laughter and good conversation.
Our final day at Deerhurst consisted of productive roundtable discussions and a closing of the event circle presented by Hunter Corbiere.
We send a huge chi miigwetch to both Shawn Waters Corbiere and Hunter Corbiere for the lovely opening and closings they offered us and a heartfelt thank you to Dan Watson at the Huntsville Festival of the Arts and the Deerhurst Resort for hosting us!
