2026 Summer Workshops are live!
Join the River Clyde Pageant creative community! Our workshops are open to all ages and experience levels—just bring your curiosity and readiness to create. Help shape this summer's riverside spectacle, July 23-26 and July 30-August 2, 2026.
Can't commit to workshops? Join our volunteer team or donate instead!
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Pageant workshops are offered to the public free of charge. Free arts programming is important to us - it’s a way to give back to the community that helps build the Pageant each summer. Spaces are limited in these workshops, and they fill up on quickly and usually have waitlists. With that in mind, we ask that you consider the following:
If you register for a workshop, make the commitment to attend - put the dates in your calendar and show up.
If you sign up and realize you can no longer attend, email us to withdraw your registration so someone on the waitlist can participate.
Please consider a donation to River Clyde Arts to assist with the administration and material costs of these workshops. Your contributions help us ensure we can continue to offer high-quality, accessible arts programming to the community.
More workshops on the way!
Meet the Land
A Writing Workshop with Mike Geither
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River Clyde Arts has a new home in New Glasgow, and with that comes the opportunity to connect creatively with this place, and discover the lively ecosystems present on the land. In this multigenre writing workshop we'll explore this new space, and consider how we meet the land through writing assignments and creative prompts. We'll dig into the connections between ourselves, the land, its history and its present. Through optional readings we'll explore where nature writing is today, where it has been, and where your voice might take it. A creative writing workshop for writers at any level of experience. Be ready to touch grass.
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Sunday June 14, 2-5pm
Tuesday June 16, 6:30-8:30pm
Thursday June 18, 6:30-8:30pm
Sunday June 21, 2-5pm
WORKSHOP LOCATION: The Mill in New Glasgow, 5592 Route 13, New Glasgow and River Clyde Arts’ new home in New Glasgow (location to be shared closer to workshop date). Some time will be spent outdoors, and registrants will receive advance communication about what to expect!
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Mike Geither is a playwright, solo performer and stand-up comic whose work has been seen in San Francisco, Chicago, Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, New York and London. He is a four-time Ohio Arts Council fellow and has served as a resident artist at Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito. Recent works include Thick, a play (U of Ottawa, 2024), The Body is the Best (Lit Youngstown, The River Clyde Pageant, NACL, Chicago Dramatists, 2022), Heirloom (convergence-continuum, 2019), Ismene (U of Ottawa, 2017), The Events of the Warren County Fair as Observed by a Young Astronaut (Independent Production, 2017 - 2019), Objectively/Reasonable (Playwrights Local, 2016/17), Creation Myth(convergence-continuum, 2016), how small, how far away (Zuppa Theatre, Halifax, 2016), Flame Puppy (Playwrights Local, 2015), Tear It Off (convergence-continuum, 2015), and Loki and Lucy (Talespinner, 2014). He is currently a Professor of English at Cleveland State University where he teaches in the Northeast Ohio MFA (NEOMFA) in creative writing and a life-long birdwatcher. His current work focuses on fragmentation, non-traditional narrative and climate change.
Bird Watching
With Mike Geither
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Come learn about bird watching & bird identification on the Pageant’s new site! We’ll walk together and learn to identify birds through song and sight. Bring binoculars if you have them (some extra pairs will be available) and be ready to walk. Workshop leader Mike Geither is a life-long birder who has been birding Central and Eastern PEI for the past seven years during his summers spent here as part of the River Clyde Pageant. This workshop will appeal to everyone from those new to birding, to advanced birdwatchers.
Open to participants of all ages. Kids under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
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Saturday June 20, 10am-1pm
The new Pageant site in New Glasgow (location to be shared closer to workshop date)
Introduction to Stilt Walking
A beginner-friendly introduction to Stilt Walking with Laura Astwood
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A beginner-friendly introduction to Stilt Walking with Laura Astwood
Have you ever watched our stilt performers and wondered what it feels like to walk above the crowd? Here's your chance to find out! This beginner-friendly workshop introduces the fundamentals of stilt walking in a supportive, encouraging environment.
Led by stilt teacher and Pageant collaborator Laura Astwood, you'll learn how to balance and walk on stilts. By the end of the workshop, you'll have experienced the unique perspective and joyful sensation that comes from standing tall on stilts, just as our Pageant stiltwalkers do!
No previous experience required—just come with a sense of adventure and willingness to try something new. All equipment is provided, along with plenty of guidance and support from our experienced instructor.
Open to participants ages 12 and up. Teens, adults, and seniors are all welcome! No previous experience required, and all equipment is provided.
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Saturday June 20, 2-5pm
Sunday June 21, 2-5pm
Gulf Shore School, 185 Hilltop Ave, North Rustico
The Bee Workshops
A drop-in crafting workshop for the River Clyde Pageant
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The Bee workshop returns for 2026, offering drop-in opportunities for easy, collaborative crafting in a welcoming and creative environment. Like a quilting bee, we'll gather weekly to work together on simple projects that will bring this year's Pageant to life – we’ll have accessible and fun projects related to costume creation, set design, sewing, and more.
Led by different members of our creative team, the Bee offers a relaxed environment where conversation and creativity flow naturally together. No expertise needed – just bring your curiosity and willingness to be part of our community creation process.
Open to ages 10 and up. Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult. Sessions are drop in, so you can come once, or come to all the sessions. Please register in advance so we can prepare materials for everyone.
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Friday June 12, 4-6pm
Friday June 19, 4-6pm
Friday June 26, 4-6pm
Saturday July 4, 2-4pm
Saturday July 11, 2-4pm
WORKSHOP LOCATION:
New Glasgow Christian Church, 617 Route 258, New Glasgow, PEI.
Dance Workshop with Reequal Smith
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Dancer and choreographer Reequal Smith returns to lead a creative movement workshop rooted in Afro-Contemporary dance traditions and Calypso Fusion — drawing inspiration from the way birds move together, how a flock shifts, protects, and communicates through motion.
Reequal will lead participants in playful movement exercises, collective choreography, and guided improvisation. Sessions take place primarily outdoors in New Glasgow, where the land, sky, and waterways become part of the creative process.
No dance experience needed — just bring curiosity and a willingness to move. Open to adults, teens, and kids ages 9 and up. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
This workshop culminates in a public performance as part of the 2026 River Clyde Pageant. Participants must be available for all rehearsal and performance dates listed below.
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Sunday June 21, 4-6pm
Thursday June 25, 6-8pm
Sunday June 28, 4-6pm
Thursday July 2, 6-8pm
Sunday July 5, 4-6pm
Thursday July 9, 6:00-8:30pm
Sunday July 12, 4-6pm
Thursday July 16, 6:00-8:30pm
WORKSHOP LOCATION & MORE INFO:
Meeting place for the first few sessions is at New Glasgow Christian Church at 617 Route 258, New Glasgow, PEI. As much as weather allows, sessions will take place outdoors. Participants must be available to perform as part of the 2026 River Clyde Pageant. Limited to 18 participants.
In recognition of the significant time commitment required for performing in the show, dance ensemble members are paid an honorarium for their time.
Puppet Ensemble
Technical training in ensemble-based puppetry and performance with Evan Medd, Sebastien Labelle & Franziska Glen
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Join our puppet ensemble and help bring this summer's River Clyde Pageant to life. In this collaborative workshop series, you'll learn ensemble-based performance, group movement and techniques for operating both large-scale and small-scale puppets in dialogue with the natural landscapes of the River Clyde.
You'll work alongside fellow ensemble members and lead Pageant artists, contributing directly to the puppet performance elements of the show.
No previous experience required. Open to ages 12 and up. Advanced registration is required.
Please note: This workshop is for participants who are available to perform in the 2026 Pageant. Those available for all performance dates and able to commit to the majority of scheduled sessions will be prioritized. In recognition of the time commitment involved, puppeteers receive an honorarium for their participation.
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Thursday June 18, 6-8pm
Sunday June 21, 3-5:30pm
Thursday June 25, 6-8pm
Sunday June 28, 3-5:30pm
Thursday July 2, 6-8pm
Sunday July 5, 3-5:30pm
Thursday July 9, 6:00-8:30pm
Sunday July 12, 3-5:30pm
Thursday July 16, 6:00-8:30pm
WORKSHOP LOCATION:
The new Pageant site in New Glasgow (location to be shared closer to workshop date)
Sounds of the Flock: Pageant Choir
A workshop for singers of all levels of experience, led by Marti Hopson and Garry Williams
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Led by Marti Hopson and Garry Williams, this workshop brings together singers to build the choral soundscape of this summer's Pageant. Over the first few sessions, we'll write a song together — drawing on our environment and our relationships to human and non-human kin. The choir will also learn new compositions, including works composed by both Garry and Marti.
Sessions take place indoors and outdoors in New Glasgow. Open to singers of all levels of experience, ages 12 and up.
Participants should be available for the majority of workshop sessions and rehearsals, and all Pageant performances. In recognition of the time commitment involved, singers receive an honorarium for their participation.
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Tuesday June 2, 7-9pm
Tuesday June 9, 7-9pm
Tuesday June 16, 7-9pm
Tuesday June 23, 7-9pm
Tuesday June 30, 7-9pm
Thursday July 2, 7-9pm
Tuesday July 7, 7-9pm
Thursday July 9, 7-9pm
Tuesday July 14, 7-9pm
Thursday July 16, 7-9pmLocation: New Glasgow Christian Church, 617 Route 258, New Glasgow, PEI
Community Planting Party
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Join River Clyde Arts and the Hunter-Clyde Watershed Group for a morning of planting at our long-term home in New Glasgow. Together we'll put native willows, red osier dogwood, trees, and shrubs into the ground, which helps to restore the land of our new home!
Open to all. Capacity is 40 participants — pre-registration appreciated.
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Sunday, June 14, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Workshop Location: New Pageant site, New Glasgow
Medicine bag workshop with Danielle Moore-Rayner
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Medicine bags hold deep cultural and spiritual meaning for the Mi'kmaw people. More than small pouches, they are sacred items that carry personal teachings, protection, and connection to the spirit world. Each medicine bag is unique, reflecting the life, experiences, and spiritual path of the person who carries it.
In this workshop, Danielle Moore-Rayner of the Lennox Island Mi'kmaq Cultural Centre will guide participants through making their own medicine bag, sharing traditional teachings about their cultural significance along the way.
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Saturday June 13, 2-4pm
Location: The Mill in New Glasgow, 5592 Route 13, New Glasgow
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Danielle Moore-Rayner (she/her) is a Lennox Island First Nation Band member. Though she has lived off reserve her whole life, Danielle enjoys gaining traditional knowledge on Mi'kmaw culture whenever possible — and sharing those teachings has deepened her own connection to her people.
Music Workshop with Garry Williams
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What sound does a scourge of mosquitoes make? A band of coyotes? A quarrel of sparrows?
Composer and theatre artist Garry Williams leads a music workshop inspired by collective nouns, animal calls, and the patterns of flocking and swarming. Together we'll explore texture, timbre, rhythm, and tempo — playing with improvisation, scoring, and different ways of listening. Bring your voice, your instrument, or just your ears and curiosity.
Open to musicians and singers of all levels. You don't need to read music or play an instrument — but you do need good listening skills, an attentive ear, and a willingness to work as part of a team.
Following the workshop, participants are invited to join either the Pageant Choir or a smaller musical ensemble performing in the show, which runs from July 23-26, July 30-Aug 2.
Youth under 12 should be accompanied by an adult.
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Wednesday May 27, 6-8:30pm
Thursday May 28, 6-8:30pm
Saturday May 30, 2-5pm
Sunday May 31. 2-5pm
Music Ensemble Rehearsal:
Wednesday June 3, 6-8:00pm
Sunday June 7, 1-3pm
Wednesday June 10, 6-8:00pm
Sunday June 21, 1-3pm
Wednesday June 24, 6-8:00pm
Sunday June 28, 1-3pm
Thursday July 9, 6-8:30pm
Sunday July 12, 1-3pm
Thursday July 16, 6-8:30pm
Workshop Location:
New Glasgow Christian Church, 617 Route 258, New Glasgow, PEI.
Thank you to the generous sponsors of
the 2026 River Clyde Pageant!
