THE CANADIAN STAGE

A history and understanding of an incredible

theatre for the arts!

By Alexandra Watt

HISTORY OF THE THEATRECanStage is the Canadian Stage Company. It is Canada’s largest non- profit contemporary theatre company.

It was founded in 1987 by merging CentreStage and Toronto Free Theatre.

The company is dedicated to international contemporary theatre and to develop and produce Canadian works. Matthew Joceyln is the artistic and General director, appointed in 2009. The company’s board of directors has over 30 members.

CanStage has a long-standing commitment to education and enhancement programs for the public. The theatre plays a highly essential role in producing thought- provoking theatre and high quality entertainment in Toronto!

SIZE AND FACILITIESCanStage has four distinctive venues.

The 876-seat Bluma Appel Theatre; the intimate 244 and 167-seat Berkeley Street Theatres; and the 1000-seat outdoor amphitheatre which is the home of the CanStage TD Dream in High Park.

CanStage presents a rich variety of Canadian plays and musicals as well as international. They are edgy, provocative works that are shown at the Berkeley Street Theatre..

Universal productions with broader appeal are shown at the Bluma Appel Theatre and Shakespeare is shown at the TD Dream in High Park.

CanStage has produced and performed more than 300 productions featuring Canada’s best acting and creative talents.

Over half of the productions performed are Canadian plays.

SEASON OFFERINGSFernando Krapp Wrote Me This Letter

Saint Carmen Of the Main

The Anderson Project

Studies in Motion

Untitled

The List

The Middle Place

Our Class

Spotlight.Italy

(the operating budget and mandate are classified information.)

The Anderson Project

CHALLENGES FOR THE SHOWS

The biggest challenge this year for the Canadian Stage is that a new director has taken the company in a very different direction in terms of shows.

It is a challenge to try new shows that old audiences are not accustomed to, when they are used to the shows prior. It is a difficult transition.

It is also a challenge to attract new audiences to these shows.

A lot of the programming has racy content, which can be an issue with teachers bringing their classes to the Canadian Stage.

Fernando Krapp Wrote Me This Letter

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SHOWS

Artistically these controversial shows are incredible. They are some of the most innovative and best shows in Canada.

The Canadian stage is multidisciplinary and includes many different forms of music and dance.

The company does not take anything for granted, and it offers shows and entertainment that can not be seen anywhere else.

Studies in Motion

ROB KEMPSON, EDUCATION MANAGER

Robert Kempson’s role in the Canadian Stage is highly influential.

Mr. Kempson does all the educational programming for the company.

He organizes school group visits, student workshops, writes study guides for students.

He creates programs for educators and community members.

Mr. Kempson’s role is to enhance the experience for the audience.

CHALLENGES AND HIGHLIGHTS

Toronto is an incredibly large city and community. It is a massive challenge to compete with other companies that they would rather collaborate with.

The Canadian Stage company loves making shows and their main goal is to keep doing the work they love, but it is a challenge being a non profit company.

The positives are that by being an education manager, Rob gets to expose people to his love of theatre.

It is an incredible feeling to show audiences a piece of theatre that can truly move them and open their eyes to the magic of the arts.

THE CANADIAN STAGE VISION

Matthew Johnson is the newly selected artistic and general director.

In March 2010, Johnson unveiled a new company mandate along with the 2010-2011 season.

Marks his first season programmed for the company as well as his directorial debut with Canadian Stage.

The company is aiming to head towards multidisciplinary work.

The aim is to pursue projects that are not traditional theatre forms. To perform and work on projects around the world that are of international caliber.

The work is becoming more director focused. The director makes the most impact on whether the performance is creation based or text based. The director guides the vision.

The Canadian Stage has recently opened a new MFA program. This helps young directors move forward through director training and opportunities for Canadian theatre.

Thank you for listening to my presentation! I hope that I educated you about this incredible company, and that I have inspired you to go and enjoy one of their works first hand.