If you’ve spent time at Bard over the years, you may have unknowingly benefited from one of Ginny Evans’ passionate suggestions—whether it was more accessible parking or more seating to enjoy a snack before a show. A long-time champion of Bard (and of Shakespeare himself), Ginny has been with the Festival since nearly the beginning and continues to be one of its most loyal and thoughtful supporters.
We sat down with Ginny to talk about her history with Bard, the performances that have stayed with her, and why Shakespeare’s enduring brilliance keeps her coming back year after year.
Ginny Evans with Christopher Gaze.
You’ve been with Bard since the very beginning. Do you remember your first experience at the Festival? What drew you in?
It was actually the second year of Bard, not the first, but I’ve been around since nearly the beginning. My friend Rosemary Emery, who worked at the Art Gallery and always knew the best things happening in town, brought me along to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I’ve continued to return ever since!
In those early days, you had to come early and race in to get your favourite seat and mark it with a sticky note to claim it. Eventually, I suggested having some seating around the campus in the days when theatre seating was still festival style to enjoy a sandwich before the show. That was one of my first pieces of feedback that eventually evolved into the picnic tables around the site.
For years, I had also noticed a lack of accessible parking for those with mobility challenges. At the time, the Vancouver Archives parking lot sat mostly empty after 5:00pm, but it wasn’t available for Bard patrons. After three years of advocating for the change, I received a call from someone at the city who said, “Are you the Ginny Evans who’s been pushing for this?”
It made such a difference for so many people. I remember standing near the front one night and counting 14 walkers in line!
Over the years, what have been some of the moments or productions that have stayed with you the most?
A Midsummer Night’s Dream always stands out, especially the one with the funniest Puck who popped up all over the stage. I saw that production five times, and even brought my mother to a September performance right after a major windstorm. The power was out, so at intermission the staff drove their cars up and turned their headlights on so we could find our way to the washrooms. I still get emotional thinking about it.
Another unforgettable one was The Tempest in the smaller tent with Jennifer Lines. I saw it five times too, it was just absolutely fantastic. And Measure for Measure last year was such a delight. It’s not a play I usually look forward to, but they brought out the humour in ways I’d never seen before. And the witches in one production of Macbeth—wrapping themselves up in a grey fabric and becoming part of the set, then jumping to life throughout the performance—was brilliant.
The Company of Measure for Measure (2024). Directed by Jivesh Parasram, Set Design by Ryan Cormack, Costume design by Alaia Hamer, Lighting Design by Hina Nishioka, Photo by Tim Matheson.
What has kept you coming back to Bard — not just as an audience member, but as a supporter and champion of the Festival?
I come from an academic background, specializing in medieval literature. In the classroom, Shakespeare can be dry. What Bard does is remind me that Shakespeare was, first and foremost, an entertainer. With music, dance, humour, even the raunchy bits! Bard brings the plays to life in a way that’s accessible and joyful.
That’s what keeps me coming back: Bard makes Shakespeare fun again.
Supporting the arts in such a long-term and meaningful way is a powerful commitment. What inspired you to become a donor all those years ago?
When I was in a position to start giving charitably, I focused on the organizations that brought me joy, one of which was Bard. The arts need us!
What I especially appreciated about Bard was that, for many years, it was able to support itself largely through ticket sales. I looked at those pie charts in the annual report and noticed how well the company was doing. Post-COVID things have changed, which is why I continue to donate to Bard to help bridge the gap in ticket sales now.
You’re now part of the Joy Gaze Legacy Circle, having included Bard in your will. What led you to make that decision?
Tax reasons! But also because Bard is a part of my life and I want to support its future. I worked with an excellent accountant to figure out what kind of legacy giving made sense for me. It’s deeply personal but also a practical choice to make.
Many people think of legacy giving as something “for later”— what would you say to someone who’s considering it but hasn’t taken that step yet?
Talk to a good accountant. There are tax advantages and it just makes sense to plan early. You’d be surprised how many people don’t even have a will. At one point, I gathered a group of people to talk about estate planning and half of them hadn’t written a will. That was their homework.
You can’t know what will happen, so it’s better to have a plan in place. And if you care about something—a person, a cause, a company like Bard—make sure it’s reflected in your estate.
What are your hopes for Bard’s future? Are there particular values or aspects of the Festival you’d most like to see carried forward?
More Shakespeare, of course! I know the histories can be challenging, but Bard has done a wonderful job of making them compelling.
And my “third project”? A wheelchair-accessible washroom near the smaller tent. It’s hard to make it all the way down and back in a 20-minute intermission!
Finally, if you could sum up what Bard has given you over the years — in one sentence — what would it be?
Shakespeare is entertaining!
Ginny’s dedication is woven into the very fabric of Bard’s history, from advocating for accessibility, to championing the Festival’s productions, to showing up Season after Season to support. We are deeply grateful to Ginny for her commitment to ensuring that Bard remains a place where storytelling is bold, welcoming, and unforgettable, now and for generations to come.
To make a gift to Bard, visit us online or contact the Development Team at 604-737-0625 ext. 2224.