08-19-2025 • Written by Enroute 2 Success
Gloria Baylis in Niagara Falls: Breaking Barriers Youth Play Recap
On Saturday night, our talented youth cast brought Breaking Barriers: The Story of Gloria Baylis to life for the second time, guided by the words of playwright Denée Rudder. After weeks of rehearsal, they carried Gloria’s story from Barbados through the United Kingdom and Montreal to the stage in Niagara Falls, tracing the landmark moments that changed Canadian history.
View the digital play program for cast details and background on the production.
On Stage: Reliving Gloria’s Journey
Each performer brought Gloria’s story to life on stage, making it feel as though the audience were reliving it. The production moved through core moments of her life, including her partnership and marriage with Richard Baylis, the values that guided her work and family, the court case that set a precedent for the future, and finally the chapter that highlights her entrepreneurial spirit. Each moment showcased her refusal to take “no” for an answer.
The Timeline Wall Experience
Placed alongside the performance, the timeline wall guided guests through Gloria Baylis’s life with photographs, artifacts, and headline clippings. Featured pieces included her nurse’s cap, images from her years in Barbados, and original Montreal coverage of her case, including clippings from the Montreal Star. Taken together, these materials offered a direct link to the fascinating moments behind the play and made it easy to follow the layers of Gloria’s intricate story. An interactive panel invited guests to finish the prompt “I break barriers when I…,” and by the end of the evening the board was filled with notes, a clear sign that the message resonated beyond the stage.
Messages From Her Children
Gloria’s children shared the lessons they carry from her life. Françoise Baylis emphasized helping when it does not cost you much and using your gifts for the benefit of others. Frank Baylis described a woman who met challenges head on, refused to be anyone’s victim, and made an impact by being fully herself. Peter-John Baylis highlighted persistence, noting that staying with a goal can lead to a better place for you and those around you even if the outcome looks different than imagined. Penny-Jane Baylis spoke about courage, a strong work ethic, and the unconditional love and stability that allowed her to pursue her passions, calling her mother a trailblazer.
The Legacy Behind the Play
Gloria Baylis stood up for fairness and reshaped how Canada talks about workplace equity, but her legacy is larger than her case. It lives in the values she practiced: help when it does not cost you much, be your full self, persist toward what matters, and choose courage. Those ideals were visible in the cast’s performances and in messages from her children. Learn more about Gloria Baylis’s life and impact in our earlier post, Meet Gloria Baylis.
