Fundraising Campaign
The Voice of the River · 2025 Fundraising Campaign
Do you want to be a part of the team that creates a 310 km long play along the Grand River?
We could use your support, and it will assist us mightily in making Voice of the River happen.
See How You Can Help
A Message from Peter Smith
Executive and Creative Director of the CCRC
Open Peter’s Video in Google Drive ↗
Photograph Referenced in Peter’s Video
A famous photograph of the 1974 flood in Galt, Cambridge, Ontario. The police officer in the picture, standing at the corner of Ainslie and Dickson streets waist-deep in the floodwaters, is Const. Jack Shuttleworth.
Work Leading Up to the Tour
- We have been working for three years in story-circles, in workshops and creating presentations.
- We have connected with community folks across the watershed and along the river.
- We have worked with organizations and education centres, not-for-profits, in cities, towns, villages and at Six Nations.
See Our Partners and Collaborators →
The project is a coming together of stories, and as importantly, a coming together of people in celebration, in hope, in creativity.
The 2025 Tour
The culmination of this work took place in July and August 2025. We started at the headwaters in Dundalk and travelled down the Grand and across her watershed to Lake Erie at the mouth of the river. We stopped in different communities along the way for a picnic, a parade through town, and an evening of stories, songs and ceremonies that had become part of The Voice of the River.
The tour culminated on August 23, 2025, at Chiefswood Park on Six Nations of the Grand River. See the tour schedule and the organizations and creative team who supported the project.
Our Ask
We believe in paying our artists and crew – so if you can offer your support – no matter how small or how large – it will assist us mightily. Your support goes toward compensating the incredible skills, talent and work of the artists and crew as well as key production equipment such as a portable stage and mobile sound and lighting.
Your donation, no matter how big or small, will make a difference. You also have the opportunity to sponsor a specific role or need whether it is the tour designer, puppet wrangler, stage manager, transportation or equipment.
How to make a donation or become a sponsor:
Make a Donation Online
You will receive an automatic tax receipt via CanadaHelps.org
> Click here to go to the donation form OR use the QR code below
QR code to the donation form
Sponsor a Specific Position or Equipment
To become a sponsor for a specific position or equipment (see list below), please contact Peter Smith directly at:
Email: peter@ruralcreativity.org
Tel: 416-686-1462
You will receive a mailed tax receipt for this option.
The original campaign’s production needs and fundraising asks are listed below. Make a donation.
Pre-Production Needs
| Position | Description | Fundraising Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Creatives/Artists | Actors, musicians, designers bring the stories alive and will be in rehearsals in the spring and summer leading to production in July/August. | $35,000 |
| Tour Manager | This is a critical position. Someone who will liaise with each community for permits, tickets, volunteers, performers from the community etc. Food, port-a-potties, recycling etc. | $5,000 |
| Costumer | Costume builder for the show who would then tour becoming the Assistant Stage Manager. This person also consults with each community to create “tickle trunks” for stories and parades. | $7,500 |
| Puppet Wrangler | This artist will create and oversee the props/banners for the show. They attend workshops and do follow up to ensure all puppets are finished. They also work to refurbish existing puppets and are a part of the tour team. | $5,000 |
| Mask Maker | Mask creator and advisor on costume, props and design. | $3,500 |
| Designer | Oversees all aspects of the production design. | $5,000 |
Tour Needs
| Position | Description | Fundraising Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Stage Manager | Works to ensure smooth running of the production during performances. Works closely with the tech team in rehearsals, on tour. | $7,000 |
| Assistant Stage Manager | This person will help with the running of the show, actor wrangling, wardrobe, prop set-up and maintenance. | $5,000 |
| Production Manager/Tech Director | Ensures set up/tear down of all tech equipment. Responsible for safety. | $6,000 |
| Set, Light and Sound Technician | Crew member who is responsible for set up lights and sound equipment and operations. | $5,000 |
| Driver | Drives the company truck from location to location. Ensures load ins and load outs. | $4,000 |
Equipment Needs
| Equipment | Description | Fundraising Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Portable Stage | A 20 ft wide and 16 ft deep, 18 inches high with 3 entrance/exit step units for stage right, left, and upstage. It will be made with all weather plywood sheets and aluminum and steel rigging. Easy to put up and to tear down. There will also be a colourful painted stage cloth attached to the stage on poles upstage. At the end of the run the stage will be gifted to Grandview Theatre in order for them to use it as they continue touring up and down the River for years to come. A good investment all around! | $10,000 |
| Mobile sound/lighting | We are using LED lighting with 10 instruments in total. They will be rigged on temporary poles/trees. The lights can change colour and change focus. We will be renting a lighting board for the run of the show. The sound equipment includes speakers, body mics, cable, a mixer and sound board that we will rent for the run. | $5,000 |
Thank You for Your Support!