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This promotional image for Flight Risk features the title in bold, white letters against a sparkling, bokeh background. The backdrop transitions from warm golden hues at the top to cool blues at the bottom

Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre St. Jacobs

Flight Risk

A Story of Unlikely Friendship

October 22 to November 9, 2025

By Meg Braem

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As lead-up to Remembrance Day, and inspired by the astonishing true story of a World War II veteran, Flight Risk is a humorous and profound story of finding exactly who you need in life – when you least expect it.

99-year-old Hank Dunfield is found wandering aimlessly through a field in the early hours of the morning, five kilometres away from his residence at Ponderosa Pine Lodge. Just six weeks shy of his 100th birthday, the lodge recruits Sarah, a nursing student, to help keep Hank safe, comfortable, and in the building while they plan a grand centenarian celebration. There’s just one problem … Hank doesn’t want to live that long.

Bonding over a model Lancaster bomber, and a mutual love of good coffee, an unexpected friendship slowly develops between a tired man at the end of his journey and a young woman just beginning hers.  A thoughtful rumination on aging, heroism, and finding inner peace, Flight Risk speaks to our shared humanity and will leave you uplifted for a brighter, more compassionate future.

Recommended for ages 10 and up. 

Running Time: 80 minutes. This production is performed without an intermission.

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Show Calendar

Legend:

  • Discount Day
  • Opening
  • Student Show (Not Sold Online)
  • Post-show Question & Answer

Saturday

Nov 8

Flight Risk

Sunday

Nov 9

Flight Risk

Reviews

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A wonderful, poignant performance. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Everything from the set, lighting and music added to the powerful acting by each of the three players, we engaged, were deeply involved, laughed and cried. Thank you for another wonderful, highly professional show. We also appreciated the beautiful remodeled washrooms and the wonderful volunteers.
Neil H, Oakville
I absolutely loved every minute of this play! There was laughter and tears. The actors portrayed their characters beautifully. I believe everyone would relate somehow to this wonderful story.
Gwen R, Waterloo
I LOVED this play so much and would give it endless stars! What a beautiful story which has all the feels and was executed by a talented cast and crew. The set, costumes, lighting and music were absolute perfection. Don't miss it!
Stephanie T., Guelph
I would give this 10 Stars if I could.
Tracey C, Waterloo

Meet The Artists

Headshot of Peter Millard

Peter Millard

Hank Dunfield

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Headshot of Helen Taylor

Helen Taylor

Kathleen Shore

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Headshot of Shauna Thompson

Shauna Thompson

Sarah Baker

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Peter Millard and Shauna Thompson in Flight Risk, Drayton Entertainment, 2025 Season. Directed by Brenley Charkow; Set Design by Beckie Morris; Costume Design by Joanna Lee; Lighting Design by Lyle Franklin; Sound Design by Allison Lynch; Stage Manager Grace Batten; Assistant Stage Manager Molly Mück.
 An older man in navy pyjamas and a cardigan sits on a mobility walker in a hospital room, smiling at a young woman seated on his hospital bed. She wears an argyle vest and jeans, and sits beside a model airplane and a large book on an overbed table. The walls behind them are decorated with blueprints of aircraft, and the mood is warm and intimate under soft lighting.
Peter Millard in Flight Risk, Drayton Entertainment, 2025 Season. Directed by Brenley Charkow; Set Design by Beckie Morris; Costume Design by Joanna Lee; Lighting Design by Lyle Franklin; Sound Design by Allison Lynch; Stage Manager Grace Batten; Assistant Stage Manager Molly Mück.
 An older man stands alone in dim lighting, illuminated by a dramatic spotlight. Dressed in a dark robe and using a walker, he gazes upward with a troubled, contemplative expression. The surrounding stage is shadowed, drawing focus to the emotional weight of his solitary moment.
Peter Millard, Helen Taylor and Shauna Thompson in Flight Risk, Drayton Entertainment, 2025 Season. Directed by Brenley Charkow; Set Design by Beckie Morris; Costume Design by Joanna Lee; Lighting Design by Lyle Franklin; Sound Design by Allison Lynch; Stage Manager Grace Batten; Assistant Stage Manager Molly Mück.
 A hospital room scene featuring three characters. An elderly man sits upright in a hospital bed, dressed in dark pyjamas and a robe, with slippers on the floor nearby and a beige comforter covering his legs. Two women stand to his right: one in medical scrubs and the other in a grey uniform holding a clipboard, suggesting a nurse and a doctor or case worker. The setting includes a mauve wall and a backdrop with technical blueprint-style drawings of an aircraft, reinforcing the production’s title and themes. Warm lighting highlights the characters' expressions during a moment of discussion.
Peter Millard and Shauna Thompson in Flight Risk, Drayton Entertainment, 2025 Season. Directed by Brenley Charkow; Set Design by Beckie Morris; Costume Design by Joanna Lee; Lighting Design by Lyle Franklin; Sound Design by Allison Lynch; Stage Manager Grace Batten; Assistant Stage Manager Molly Mück.
 A senior man in a navy robe sits in a walker with a built-in seat at a hospital tray table, facing a smiling young Black woman in green medical scrubs who is seated on a stool. They appear to be sharing a warm moment in a hospital room with soft lighting, a bed with rumpled bedding, and a blueprint-like wall design in the background.
Shauna Thompson and Helen Taylor in Flight Risk, Drayton Entertainment, 2025 Season. Directed by Brenley Charkow; Set Design by Beckie Morris; Costume Design by Joanna Lee; Lighting Design by Lyle Franklin; Sound Design by Allison Lynch; Stage Manager Grace Batten; Assistant Stage Manager Molly Mück.
 A scene from Flight Risk, featuring an older man in pyjamas and a cardigan seated on a walker next to a hospital bed, smiling at a young nurse or caregiver sitting on the edge of the bed. The nurse wears an argyle sweater vest and has a model airplane and a stack of books on the tray table. The backdrop includes blueprints of aircraft parts, reinforcing the aviation theme of the show. Warm lighting and set details evoke a hospital room setting.
Shauna Thompson in Flight Risk, Drayton Entertainment, 2025 Season. Directed by Brenley Charkow; Set Design by Beckie Morris; Costume Design by Joanna Lee; Lighting Design by Lyle Franklin; Sound Design by Allison Lynch; Stage Manager Grace Batten; Assistant Stage Manager Molly Mück.
 A poignant moment from Flight Risk shows a nurse in green scrubs standing quietly at a closed hospital door, silhouetted by the amber light streaming through the textured glass. Her reflective posture hints at a moment of emotional weight or transition.

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Flight Risk was developed and received its world premiere with Lunchbox Theatre, Calgary, AB in 2017. Flight Risk is produced by arrangement with Ian Arnold, Catalyst TCM Inc. www.catalysttcm.com