Toni Grates
Owner
The Travelling Stage proudly operates a head office and two fully inclusive performing arts studios in Whitby and Bowmanville, supported by dedicated teaching teams across Canada who bring arts education to communities from coast to coast.
The Travelling Stage partners with more than 100 school boards and national organizations — including Girl Guides of Canada, the YMCA, BGC, Jays Care Foundation, and Mirvish Productions — to enrich learning and build self-confidence through dance, drama, and music education.
At The Travelling Stage, arts education is about more than training future performers. It’s about helping young people find their voice. Through the arts, students learn to be expressive, adaptable, and curious, developing the confidence to see possibilities instead of obstacles and to move with life as it unfolds.
Each of their workshops are thoughtfully designed to enhance and support the school curriculum, reaching more than five million students annually across Canada.
- In School Dance & Drama Workshops and Programming for FDK-Grade 12
- Lunchtime & After School Dance & Drama Clubs
- Montessori & Child Care Arts Enrichment Programming
- Musical Theatre, Drama and Production Programs at our Whitby & Bowmanville Studios for performers ages 6-106
Toni Grates has worked professionally as an actor, director, producer, writer and choreographer in film, tv and on stages across North America. She’s a member of ACTRA, SAG, AFTRA and AEA. In recognition of her leadership and dedication to the arts, Toni received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Durham Catholic District School Board and the 2024 Business Achievement Award from the Whitby Chamber of Commerce. She was also a finalist for the Chamber’s 2025 Business Person of the Year Award. She credits her high school drama teacher, Mr. Jim Finan, with inspiring her to pursue the path she’s on today.
As a professional artist, business owner and proud mom, she is constantly on the go working mindfully to balance work and family. She believes in dreaming big and shares that sentiment with her children and students.
Creating Space for Young Voices Through Arts and Storytelling
The Travelling Stage is an inclusive arts education organization dedicated to empowering young people through theatre, storytelling, and creative expression. Through workshops, programs, and community‑based initiatives, The Travelling Stage creates accessible, supportive spaces where youth from diverse backgrounds can explore ideas, build confidence, and share their voices.
At its core, the organization believes creativity is not just an artistic outlet, but a powerful tool for leadership, connection, and personal growth. Every program is designed with intention—meeting young people where they are and encouraging them to imagine boldly and trust their ideas.
The Inspiration Behind the Business
Toni’s journey into entrepreneurship was shaped early on by growing up in a rural community where access to extracurricular opportunities was limited. Fun, learning, and adventure often had to be created rather than provided. That experience fostered a deep sense of imagination, self‑direction, and creativity—qualities that continue to influence how Toni leads today.
The Travelling Stage was born from a desire to create the kinds of opportunities Toni once had to invent for herself. Opportunities where young people are not told their ideas are “too big” or “impossible,” but instead are encouraged to explore, create, and lead.
A Challenge Many Women Entrepreneurs Can Relate To
One of the biggest challenges Toni has overcome is learning to trust her vision—even when it didn’t fit neatly into existing models.
Building an arts‑based, community‑focused organization often meant navigating funding systems, expectations, and perceptions that don’t always value creative or unconventional work. Finding confidence in her leadership, advocating for the worth of her ideas, and resisting the pressure to over‑explain or shrink them has been a significant part of her entrepreneurial journey.
That confidence didn’t come overnight, but it has become one of the strongest foundations of The Travelling Stage today.
A Win Worth Celebrating
Toni is currently celebrating the continued growth and impact of The Travelling Stage, including receiving the 2025 IDEA Award from the Whitby Chamber of Commerce.
This recognition reflects the organization’s day‑to‑day commitment to inclusive arts education—creating spaces where young people feel safe, supported, and empowered to express themselves. It’s a meaningful reminder that listening deeply and intentionally making space for youth voices has real value, not just for participants, but for the broader community as well.
What Fuels Her Motivation
Toni’s motivation comes from the young people she works with—especially those who have been told their ideas are unrealistic or unattainable.
Supporting youth to imagine boldly, trust their voices, and see themselves as future leaders continues to drive her work. Every workshop, performance, and creative conversation reinforces the belief that when young people are given space and support, they rise to the occasion in powerful ways.
The Role of Community and Support
Like many entrepreneurs, Toni’s journey has been shaped by learning as she goes and leaning into support when needed. Community, collaboration, and shared learning have been essential in growing The Travelling Stage and staying grounded in its mission.
Toni’s message to women dreaming of starting a business is simple and encouraging:
Your ideas are valid. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin. Start with what you have, build as you go, and don’t be afraid to ask for support.
Creativity, imagination, and resourcefulness are powerful tools—especially when the path isn’t clearly defined. There is space in Durham Region for your voice, your perspective, and your way of doing things. Believe in the value you bring, even when the journey feels uncertain.
