Stageview Studios to Honour Late Actor Graham Greene
with Naming of Flagship Soundstage
PRESS RELEASE
(Stratford, Ontario) – Stageview Studios has announced that its flagship soundstage will be named The Graham Greene Stage, in honour of the acclaimed Canadian actor who passed away in September.
A longtime Stratford resident and proud member of the Oneida Nation, Greene personally accepted the honour earlier this year, knowing his name would grace the cornerstone stage of the new production facility currently under construction.
Greene’s extraordinary career spanned more than four decades, from his Academy Award–nominated role in Dances with Wolves to his many acclaimed performances across film, television, and theatre. The naming of The Graham Greene Stage reflects not only his artistry but also his enduring ties to Stratford and his legacy as an Indigenous icon who championed storytelling as a means of connection and cultural expression.
The week of October 13, Greene’s wife, Hilary Blackmore, formally accepted this honour, with a photo.
“When Stageview Studios approached Graham with this idea, he was proud and humbled,” said Hilary Blackmore. “He had a complicated relationship with his success and celebrity. One of the ways that allowed him to accept it was to pass on what he had learned – good and bad – to the ones who come after, particularly the younger Indigenous actors. He prided himself on being a storyteller. It pleased him to think that he would encourage other storytellers who have stories to tell.”
Currently being developed adjacent to Stratford’s heritage downtown, Stageview Studios is a three-storey, state-of-the-art production, AI, and immersive training centre that will serve as a creative hub for Canada’s film and television community. Anchored by the 5,000-square-foot Graham Greene Stage, the facility will also include production suites, offices, and flexible workspaces designed to support every phase of production.
“It means a great deal to us that Graham personally embraced this honour,” said Craig Thompson, President and Executive Producer of Ballinran Entertainment, the driving force behind the Stageview Studios project. “As a member of the Stratford creative community, his name represents the wealth of talent – actors, directors, writers, designers and other creative professionals who make their home here – people who will leverage the studio to expand Stratford’s creative economy.”
The anchor tenant of Stageview Studios will be Stageview TV, Canada’s new streaming and broadcast platform for performing arts and culture, approved for national distribution by the CRTC. Together, Stageview Studios and Stageview TV will create vital opportunities for Canadian artists, performing arts organizations, and screen content producers to reach audiences at a time when access to the arts has been diminished.
By linking creation and distribution under one roof, Stageview will provide a uniquely Canadian platform and home not only for existing productions but also for new works filmed at the studio, empowering storytellers to bring their work to national and international audiences.
The dedication of The Graham Greene Stage cements his enduring impact on Canada’s cultural landscape, ensuring his storytelling spirit continues to inspire generations of artists who will create, learn, and collaborate within Stageview Studios.
About Graham Greene
Born on the Six Nations of the Grand River, Graham Greene was one of Canada’s most respected actors, with credits spanning theatre, including the Stratford Festival, Hollywood blockbusters, acclaimed television series, and Canadian independent films. His artistry, wit, and generosity of spirit earned him admiration across cultures and generations.
About Stageview Studios
Stageview Studios is a new three-storey production and training facility being developed adjacent to Stratford’s heritage downtown, designed to bridge the worlds of stage and screen while integrating cutting-edge virtual production and AI-driven technologies. The studio will serve as a creative and economic engine for Southwestern Ontario, offering opportunities for Canadian and international co-productions, training programs, and innovation across the screen industry.
About Ballinran Entertainment
Founded in 1995, Ballinran Entertainment is an award-winning Canadian film and television production company based in Stratford, Ontario. With a 30-year track record producing documentaries, series, and factual content for major platforms including Netflix, Discovery, and Amazon, Ballinran is dedicated to telling stories that resonate globally while championing innovation in media production. Ballinran is the driving force behind Stageview Studios and Stageview.TV, advancing Stratford as a hub for creative industries, virtual production, and global storytelling.