Thursday 29 November 2018

Welcome Costin Manu as Executive Director

The Board of Directors of Theatre Ontario is very pleased to announce the appointment of Costin Manu to the position of Executive Director.

As a young actor, Costin participated in Theatre Ontario’s Next Generation Showcase and has continued to engage with our organization during his entire career. He has a keen sense of the value of Theatre Ontario in today’s arts ecology. With his impressive background in fundraising, he is the fiscal leader and strategist that we believe capable of building a stronger, more vibrant Theatre Ontario.

"A charismatic leader, Costin's drive, determination and long-standing experience is exactly what we need to usher in a new era at Theatre Ontario. We are thrilled he will join us January 2, 2019," says Interim President Vera Held.

Monday 26 November 2018

ONstage Openings for the week of November 26

ONstage Now Playing in South Central Ontario
Enchanted April at The Curtain Club (Richmond Hill)
This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In Central Ontario

Nov. 30, A Christmas Story at Theatre Orangeville [with a preview on Nov. 29]
Nov. 30, Miracle on 34th Street: A Radio Play at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)

In Eastern Ontario

Nov. 28, It's a Wonderful Life at Ottawa Little Theatre
Nov. 29, Rumors at Belleville Theatre Guild [with a preview on Nov. 27]
Nov. 29, Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus at Domino Theatre (Kingston)
Dec. 1, The Christmas Express at Upper Canada Playhouse (Morrisburg) [with a preview on Nov. 30]

In South Central Ontario

Nov. 29, The Drowsy Chaperone at Theatre Aurora

In Southwestern Ontario

Nov. 27, The Last 15 Seconds at The MT Space (Waterloo)
Nov. 29, Brigadoon at Thistle Theatre (Embro)
Nov. 29, Disney's Beauty and the Beast at London Community Players
Nov. 30, Elf - The Musical at Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) [with previews from Nov. 28]
Nov. 30, Jack and the Beanstalk: The Panto at Drayton Entertainment: St. Jacobs Country Playhouse [with previews from Nov. 28]
ONstage Now Playing in Southwestern Ontario
Firebird at Guelph Little Theatre
Photo by Dean Palmer

In Toronto

Nov. 28, Munsch Goes to School at George Brown Theatre School
Nov. 29, The Runner at Theatre Passe Muraille [currently in previews]
Nov. 29, Obaaberima at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre [with previews from Nov. 27]
Dec. 1, The Code at Young People's Theatre [with school performances beginning Nov. 27]

For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website

Wednesday 21 November 2018

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Upcoming opportunities from Theatre Ontario, from our members, and from other arts service organizations.

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

  • Deadline for applications for Young People’s Theatre’s “Three Up” program for young writers ages 13 to 17 is today.
  • Deadline for applications for volunteer Assistant Directors, Stage Managers, and Lighting Operators for the Alumnae Theatre New Ideas Festival is November 26.
  • ArtsBuild Ontario’s “Creative Spaces Projects: A Brainstorming Workshop” with Lucy White is on November 27 in Waterloo.
  • Deadline for applications for Ontario Arts Council’s programs include Market Development Projects (Nov. 30), Indigenous Culture Fund (ICF) Project Grants for Individuals, Groups and Collectives and for Organizations (Dec. 4), the Premier's Awards for Excellence in the Arts (Dec. 4),
  • Deadline for submissions for South Simcoe Theatre’s “Four Play: A Showcase of Play Readings” is November 30.
    South Simcoe Theatre's "Four Play:
    A Showcase of Play Readings"
  • Deadline for submissions for nightswimming’s 5x25 commissions is November 30.
  • Deadline for applications for Toronto Arts Council’s Animating Toronto Parks grants is December 3.
  • Deadline for applications for Great Canadian Theatre Company’s Ontario Arts Council Recommender Grants for Theatre Creators is December 7.
  • Deadline for applications for The MT Space’s Ontario Arts Council Recommender Grants for Theatre Creators is December 7.
  • Studio PAVAS’ “Lyrical Choreography” workshop with Mitchell Jackson is December 7 in Mississauga.

New on The Bulletin Board

  • 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook invites submissions for their Ontario Arts Council Recommender Grants for Theatre Creators, with their funding priorities including promoting and preserving Canadian cultural heritage and history.
Check out these items, and other postings from our members.
Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions, Job Postings and Discount Ticket Offers on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Tuesday 20 November 2018

Create Space for Youth in Theatre Today

Emergence 2.0 from the 2018 Theatre
Ontario Youth Advisory Committee
Theatre Ontario’s Youth Advisory Committee is a place for Ontario’s Emerging Artists to engage with one another and with Theatre Ontario to develop themselves as they enter the theatre industry and become the next generation of thinkers and doers.

Our YAC is a platform for emerging artists across the province to gain professional development in theatre and arts administration by accessing mentorship and training opportunities with our full-time staff, our Board, and our network.

We’re looking for volunteers who have a passionate interest and involvement in Ontario’s Emerging Theatre Community to serve on our 2019 Youth Advisory Committee. Committee members who live outside of the GTA can participate via electronic means. Practical theatre experience is encouraged and welcomed, but not mandatory. This is a volunteer position and the committee is active for one year.

Learn more about applying for the Theatre Ontario Youth Advisory Committee

Monday 19 November 2018

ONstage Openings for the week of November 19

ONstage Now Playing in Toronto
The Penelopiad at Hart House Theatre
Arielle Zamosa and the ensemble
Photo by Scott Gorman
This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In Toronto

Nov. 22, Miracle on 34th Street at Stage Centre Productions
Nov. 24, Yellow Rabbit at Soulpepper Theatre [with a preview on Nov. 23]
Nov. 25, The Runner at Theatre Passe Muraille [in previews]

In South Central Ontario

Nov. 22, The Addams Family at Oshawa Little Theatre

In Southwestern Ontario

ONstage Now Playing in South Central Ontario
Next to Normal at Whitby Courthouse Theatre
Nov. 21, The Boy in the Moon at The Grand Theatre (London) [with previews from Nov. 20]
Nov. 22, Firebird at Guelph Little Theatre
Nov. 22, The Paper Bag Princess: A Musical at Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre
Nov. 23, Holiday Inn at Drayton Entertainment: Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge [with previews from Nov. 22]
Nov. 23, Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) at Theatre Woodstock
Nov. 23, Journey's End at University Players (Windsor)
Nov. 23, Miracle on 34th Street at Theatre Sarnia


For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website

Friday 16 November 2018

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

Conversation Starters

  • The federal government is permanently lifting the cap on the Endowment Incentives component of the Canadian Cultural Investment Fund. Shelley Stevenson from the Stratford Festival wrote on the PACT blog about the multi-pronged approach to advocacy in this area.

Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres


TO Toasts

  • ... to Sandra Houston, former Theatre Ontario Board Member, who was honoured with the 2018 Community Recognition Award for Performing Arts from the city of Sault Ste. Marie.
  • ... to the award recipients and honourable mentions at the Eastern Ontario Drama League One-Act Play Festival. We’ll share the full list when it is available from EODL.

In Case You Missed It

Wednesday 14 November 2018

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Upcoming opportunities from Theatre Ontario, from our members, and from other arts service organizations.

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

Theatre Ontario's "Voice Over" workshop
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

  • Deadline for applications for ArtsBuild Ontario’s Creative Space Mentoring Network is November 16.
Check out these items, and other postings from our members.
Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions, Job Postings and Discount Ticket Offers on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Tuesday 13 November 2018

Congratulations to the Professional Theatre Training Program Fall 2018 Grant Recipients

We are pleased to announce the latest recipients of training grants through Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP). We thank all those who applied to the program.

Over $25,900 was awarded in total among the following 9 recipients:
  • C.J Astronomo training in production management with Simon Marsden at the Stratford Festival
  • Claire Burns training in administration and managing direction with Shawn Daudlin at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in Toronto
  • Rhiannon Collett training in artistic producing with Tom Arthur Davis and Jivesh Parasram at Pandemic Theatre in Toronto
  • Allie Marshall training in video design and new media skills with Nick Bottomley at Outside the March in Toronto
  • Laura McCallum training in general management with Laura Pomeroy at Studio 180 Theatre in Toronto
  • Hanlon McGregor training in playwriting with Diane Flacks
  • Holly Meyer-Dymny training in projection design with Cameron Davis at Studio 180 Theatre in Toronto
  • Keshia Palm training in dramaturgy with Marjorie Chan at Cahoots Theatre in Toronto
  • Naomi Wright training in directing with Robin Witt at Writers Theatre in Chicago, USA
Over $131,000 was requested during this application round. The next application deadline for this program will be in early 2019. Prospective applicants should Stay Connected with Theatre Ontario for more information about that deadline.

Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline except performance.

Learn more about the Professional Theatre Training Program

This program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

(Updated November 13 at 1:30pm to include an omitted recipient.)

Monday 12 November 2018

ONstage Openings for the week of November 12

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages
ONstage Now Playing in Southwestern Ontario
Murder Most Fouled Up at Elmira Theatre Company

In Southwestern Ontario

Nov. 16, Barber Shop Chronicles at The Grand Theatre (London) [with a preview Nov. 15]
Nov. 17, A Christmas Carol at The Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) [with previews from Nov. 14]

In Toronto

Nov. 13, Uncovered: Joni Mitchell & Carole King at The Musical Stage Company
Nov. 16, The 2-Spirit Cabaret at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Nov. 16, Unholy at Nightwood Theatre

Touring

Nov. 13, Old Man and the River from Theatre Direct

In Central Ontario

Nov. 15, King Arthur the Panto at Cameco Capitol Arts Centre (Port Hope)
Nov. 15, Lend Me a Tenor at South Simcoe Theatre (Cookstown)
Nov. 16, Murder's in the Heir at Huronia Players (Midland)

In Eastern Ontario

Nov. 15, Chasing Champions: The Sam Langford Story at National Arts Centre—English Theatre (Ottawa) [with previews from Nov. 13]
Nov. 15, The Marvellous Wonderettes—Dream On at Studio Theatre Perth
Nov. 16, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Orpheus Musical Theatre Society (Ottawa)
ONstage Now Playing in Southwestern Ontario
The December Man / L'homme de decembre
at London Community Players

In South Central Ontario

Nov. 14, Calendar Girls at Markham Little Theatre
Nov. 16, Enchanted April at The Curtain Club (Richmond Hill) [with a preview on Nov. 15]
Nov. 18, Rumplestiltskin at Theatre Burlington


For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website

Thursday 8 November 2018

Seeking “New Faces” to Participate in Next Generation Showcase 2019

We invite applications for “New Faces” to participate in our Next Generation Showcase.

Theatre Ontario’s Next Generation Showcase is a unique two-day event, providing graduating theatre students the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of industry professionals, including casting directors, artistic directors, independent directors, producers, and agents. Many of the top theatre training programs from Ontario and beyond participate annually.

Each year we also provide spaces for “New Faces” to participate. “New Faces” is for recent graduates from other training programs wishing to pursue their performing careers in Ontario, and for artists from communities that have faced historical and/or systemic barriers to accessing this type of opportunity.

Theatre Ontario’s annual Next Generation Showcase will take place on January 13th and 14th.

The deadline for applications for New Faces is Friday, November 30th at 12:00 noon.

Learn more about New Faces at Theatre Ontario’s Next Generation Showcase

Wednesday 7 November 2018

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Upcoming opportunities from Theatre Ontario, from our members, and from other arts service organizations.

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

Theatre Ontario's "Intimacy for the Stage for
Directors" workshop with Siobhan Richardson
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

  • Deadline for applications for Ontario Arts Council’s Chalmers Professional Development Projects grants is November 8.
  • Deadline for applications for ArtsBuild Ontario’s Creative Space Mentoring Network is November 16.

Check out these items, and other postings from our members.
Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions, Job Postings and Discount Ticket Offers on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Tuesday 6 November 2018

2018 Youth Advisory Committee Reflections… and Looking to 2019

By Deanna Galati, Chair, Youth Advisory Committee 2018

Being on the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) this past year has been such a lovely and eye opening experience filled with learning curves, opportunities, and successes. As I reflect on this past year of being Chair of the YAC, I think about all that we’ve done and all that I’ve learned. 

When I accepted my position on the YAC, I really didn’t know what to expect of my year. All I did know was that I was interested in learning new skills, meeting new people, and offering something special to the young theatre community; a community that I consider myself to be a part of. The early stages of the YAC consisted of our team talking about what excited us, what scared us, what was needed, and where many of the gaps were in our industry for young people of all different cultural backgrounds, races, abilities, genders, and sexualities. We were a mighty group with lots of vision, and as chair, it was difficult to narrow down what our year would look like—there were so many good ideas to choose from.

Our Emergence 2.0 "Advocating for Yourself" panelists:
Nikki Shaffeeullah, Sabah Haque and Kristina Lemieux
When it came down to selecting the content and topic for what became Emergence 2.0, I really thought about those early conversations. There were many conversations where our team felt that there was a lack of mentorship opportunities for young artists to grow, and that it was sometimes daunting to approach a mentor to talk about an early stage career in the industry. We also talked a lot about how young artists can be treated and how we must advocate for ourselves in many different ways, depending on a variety of different factors. I didn’t want to let that early work go. 

With help from the Theatre Ontario team, we decided to continue on the awesome momentum that was built from Emergence in 2017 and use the same name for our event as well. Thus, Emergence 2.0 was born.

Emergence 2.0 consisted of a panel discussion about advocating for yourself, followed by mentorship pairings where we brought in 9 generous and relevant theatre artists who acted as mentors for our participants. There was a lot of insight offered and I hope that the participants got what they needed to out of the conversations we had.

Dinner break and networking at Emergence 2.0
Being chair for the YAC has definitely taught me a lot about my leadership skills, my communication skills, my limits, my ambition, teamwork, and also that I have such a supportive and welcoming theatre community around me. I learned so much about myself in this position and am grateful for the experience it gave me to advocate for myself. 

The YAC is excited to part of the selection process for the 2019 team. Keep your eyes peeled for details to come...

My advice to the incoming year of YAC artists—putting together a comprehensive event for folks in the industry takes a lot of time, strategic planning, and organization from you! So do something that you’re passionate about. Strong communication skills as well as great outreach and marketing are also key aspects to running a successful event. I was glad to be surrounded by Kelsey Dann (YAC member), the Theatre Ontario staff who supported in various ways along the way, as well as the awesome artists involved in Emergence 2.0 throughout the entirety of this year. I am very excited to see what the 2019 cohort brings to the table next year!

Thanks to Annie Clarke for the Emergence 2.0 photography!
Theatre Ontario will be launching our call for the 2019 Youth Advisory Committee later in November. Contact programs@theatreontario.org for more information.

Monday 5 November 2018

ONstage Openings for the week of November 5

ONstage Now Playing in South Central Ontario
The Long Road at Durham Shoestring Performers (Oshawa)
This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In South Central Ontario

Nov. 8, The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Brampton Music Theatre
Nov. 8, Next to Normal at Whitby Courthouse Theatre
Nov. 8, We Will Rock You at Marquee Theatrical Productions (Newmarket)

In Southwestern Ontario

Nov. 9, The December Man (L'homme de decembre) at London Community Players [with a preview on Nov. 8]

In Toronto

Nov. 7, FireWorks Festival 2018 at Alumnae Theatre Company
Nov. 7, The Caucasian Chalk Circle at George Brown Theatre School
Nov. 8, Mary Poppins at Young People's Theatre [with performances from Nov. 5]
Nov. 8, Departures and Arrivals at Seen by Scene Entertainment
Nov. 9, The Penelopiad at Hart House Theatre
ONstage Now Playing in Toronto
The Coarse Acting Show 2 at The NAGs Players

In Central Ontario

Nov. 9, Prelude to a Kiss at Peterborough Theatre Guild
Nov. 9, Disney’s Aladdin Jr. at Kempenfelt Community Players (Barrie)

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website

Friday 2 November 2018

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

Conversation Starters

  • Closing a theatre company – Scott Artley wrote on HowlRound about “The Final Act—Sunsetting a Nonprofit Arts Organization” and the decision to shutdown.

Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres


TO Toasts

Playwrights Guild of Canada's Tom Hendry Awards

In Case You Missed It

Thursday 1 November 2018

Stories from the Professional Theatre Training Program

Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.)

Today we feature four stories:

The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is March 1, 2019.

Learn more about Theatre Ontario's Professional Theatre Training Program

Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Stories from the Professional Theatre Training Program: Thomas Alderson

Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.)

Thomas Alderson trained in directing with Ashlie Corcoran at Arts Club Theatre Company in Vancouver BC


(October 24, 2018) As I reflect on my experience in Vancouver, it’s difficult to put into words the gratitude I feel towards both The Arts Club and Theatre Ontario for making this possible. 

Aside from all of the wonderful insights I had into the rehearsal process, which I shared in my earlier posts, I had some amazing one-on-one counselling with Director Ashlie Corcoran, nearing the end of my time in Vancouver. 

She shared with me her personal journey to becoming a director, and eventually Artistic Director. She offered amazing advice about trusting your own instincts and not being afraid to seek out opportunities that might scare you. She talked about her experience applying for jobs and learning opportunities, and how she was constantly gaining knowledge and growing as she worked towards her goals. Not only did she find learning and growth, but she also enjoyed her journey. She talked about finding ways to make the process of applying for opportunities (both successfully and unsuccessfully) a learning opportunity. She also stressed that I should not be afraid to ask for feedback and guidance along the way. 

She gave me amazing advice on how to remain personally creative and self-motivated. She encouraged me, saying, “You don’t have to wait for an opportunity; you can create them yourself, however large or small.” 

Lastly she has been amazing, continuing to support me even after our time together has ended. She has offered to be a reference for me for further applications for emerging director opportunities. Although she lives in Vancouver and I am back in Ontario, we are in contact. I am so grateful to feel her support even from across the country.

Related Reading:

The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is March 1, 2019.


Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Stories from the Professional Theatre Training Program: Brendan McMurtry-Howlett

Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.)

Brendan McMurtry-Howlett training in artistic direction with Jillian Keiley at the National Arts Centre of Canada in Ottawa


(October 24, 2018) Two weeks down, two weeks to go. As short as that time seems on paper, it feels as if I’ve been here for a month already with how much happens each day. I have loved every minute of it. Every day brings a new surprise and new challenge. My co-intern, Kate Smith and I have learned to stay agile as new problems and tasks are presented to us. Watching the whole team at the NAC work together has been a real lesson in fast thinking, hard work, and how to keep a sense of humour and lightness through it all.

In the first few days of the internship it was a bit overwhelming trying to grasp how the overall organization of the NAC works and how the English Theatre fits into it. It operates more like a small department in a large university than a standard theatre company. On top of trying to understand the inner workings of the NAC we were trying to keep pace with the amount of meetings, emails, and “Daily Dilemmas” that Jill deals with each day. It’s become clear how important good systems and organizational tools are to being able to process huge amounts of information as an artistic director.

Within a few days we acclimatized to the exhilarating pace with the help of the incredibly generous staff at the NAC, all of whom have willingly shared their time with us in the midst of the flurry of activity. We have sat in on all sorts of fascinating meetings, have assisted the constantly shifting process of programming next season (far more complicated than I could have anticipated), drafted plans for a few new initiatives English Theatre will be taking on, and have still had time for some deeper philosophical conversations on the nature of leadership. Everyday I have pages of notes, ranging from profound wisdom on leadership to little practical tidbits to stay on top of things. Here are a few of those tidbits I’ve received from Jill and the rest of the English Theatre staff:

Touch Paper Once – If you can, deal with a letter or an email when you first lay hands on it, rather than laying it to the side to be dealt with latter. It will take more time and brain energy to think about it again, pick it back up, and deal with it, than it is to just deal with it immediately.

Programming Priorities – Keep an explicit list of priorities beside you when programming your season. There will be ample pressure from other departments to program based on the bottom line and keeping this list will help you stay true to your programming priorities.

Working TOWARDS Something – This is the idea that in this kind of leadership role, it is unrealistic to believe that you will be able to accomplish something in any kind of finalized way. You are always working TOWARDS something, as the ground constantly shifts under your feet. It is acknowledging that the goal is not to arrive, but to keep striving and improving with your eyes on the horizon.

Meditation – When you hit the point in the day when you feel tired, or overwhelmed by stress and tasks, a quick 8-minute meditation will do wonders for you.

Take Walking Meetings – Whenever it is feasible, take your meeting on a walk. It changes scenery and gets the blood moving.

Related Reading:

The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is March 1, 2019.


Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Stories from the Professional Theatre Training Program: Aaron Jan

Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.)

Aaron Jan trained in dramaturgy with Marjorie Chan at Cahoots Theatre in Toronto



(October 6, 2018)

This is my final blog post.

I don't know how much I learned about dramaturgy with Marjorie Chan.

Okay, that's a lie. I take that back. I learned a lot. I learned how to be a better mentor, a better facilitator, someone who aids the playwright rather than forcing their own agenda or writing the play for them.

What I'm trying to say is that during my 12-month period at Cahoots Theatre Company, I went through a mentorship on empathy first.

I'm not saying I'm a better person now. Far from it. I still swear, I still hold grudges, I still pollute and eat red meat. But I think, just a little bit, I understand that this theatre thing we do isn't about me. It's about the stories we tell, about the other people in the room and how to get those stories on a stage or help the playwright realize what they're writing.

I remember back in June, I was leading a workshop for a playwright. After a first meeting with her, I excitedly told Marjorie about my plans to aid the playwright. Marjorie took this all in and kept asking me “What does she want?”

I look back to my first blog where I talked about negotiation in dramaturgy. I realize now that maybe it's not about that. Our job as dramaturgs is to get the play to the stage. Cahoots deals with marginalized voices, many of whom will not find productions elsewhere in the city for their work. It's not just about getting people of colour on stage and behind stories, but to tell stories that may not be told anywhere else, or perspectives that are at risk of erasure. To me, this is kind of an antidote for what is a lot of tokenistic programming. Rather than just putting people of colour onstage, what is it about the perspective of the artists that deserves programming? What is it that they are saying that is—for the most part—not spoken about enough?

To do so, we need to tackle the work with as much empathy as possible—with respect for the playwright's way of working, but also for the play itself. We need to be cautious as to when we're pushing the playwright too hard, but also aware of when we need to push the playwright if the work has become stagnant. It's not a negotiation per say, but a question as to how we serve the play that's written. And how do we support the telling of that story in the best way? Which battles are worth fighting and which battles do we let go of? Which serve the play more and which are questions of personal taste?

Marjorie speaks a lot about Rigor when she's choosing a work to be invested in. It's not enough to be an “important artist”, but does that artist have rigor? Does that artist work on their craft along with their ideologies? Is this artist embedded in their community? Does this artist have enough craft to fully execute the production and roll with the punches? Can they pull this off?

In our first meeting, Marjorie mentioned that a dramaturg is an advocate of the play that could be. I think that's something I'll hold close to my practice for the rest of my career as a curator and dramaturg. What is the potential of the play that's written and what is it trying to be? What genre is it and what does the play need in this moment? How can I best aid a play and am I the best person for it?

In terms of curation, something I'm currently pondering  is what makes a play “ready” for production. For some playwrights, it's that the production period is actually the jump-start for the writing. It's knowing that they have an immediacy to create more work. For others, it's a final draft before the offer for production is given. I think if anything, it's dependent on playwright and a bit of faith.

I think I'm leaving this mentorship with more questions than answers, but more importantly I think I have a renewed outlook on what a dramaturg is. I'm super thankful for Cahoots, Marjorie and Theatre Ontario for this opportunity to learn about new play development and curation and excited about how to apply it to my own work as I continue to assist playwrights and curators.

Lastly, if there's anyone actually reading this blog, I think I'm going to be more chill. I think that's my grand cosmic takeaway. Architecture, whether real or imagined is based on the spaces that leaders make. Rigor, passion, generosity and open-ness in performance and all of these things are bound by a container created by the person running the room.  Being stressed makes people more stressed. Being closed makes people closed. Locking doors makes people locked. Being late makes people late. Being vague makes people vague. I need to be conscious of what container I want to make as a theatre artist.

I want to lead now with empathy first as well as rigor, so no one feels limited by me in a room. The worst thing I can do in workshop or rehearsal is create an environment where people feel tense and not safe. I want to be a theatremaker that people can trust not only for his work, but how he treats other people. How he cares for the communities he works with, so he's not just a theatre mercenary looking for a quick buck.

I think if anything, that's more important than, or perhaps a part of what it means to have success.

Related Reading:

The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is March 1, 2019.


Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Stories from the Professional Theatre Training Program: Sabah Haque

Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.)

Sabah Haque trained in artistic producing with Tom Arthur Davis and Jiv Parasram at Pandemic Theatre in Toronto, Vancouver BC, and Victoria BC


(October 1, 2018) There are so many ways to make theatre. An infinite amount. There are fun ways, and not-so-fun ways. Sometimes, I get stuck in not-so-fun ways. Why? Why dwell in not-fun? I am over the idea that we must suffer for our career. I am over the idea of being a blank slate for other people to write on. Deconstruction doesn’t work for me. I like to build things.

I’m becoming a stronger communicator and advocate for myself. It does make me feel uncomfortable—I hate the feeling of talking out of turn, or burdening a group of excited artists with my problems, or challenges. But there lies the problem: the way communication and confronting challenges with a creative team is framed in my mind. Who framed it that way? I have some ideas, but it’s hard to be sure. Wherever it came from, I’m going to get rid of that self-conscious, unproductive, annoying piece of wood.

Working with Jiv Parasram, Tom Arthur Davis, and Donna-Michelle St. Bernard throughout the spring and summer of this year, I rediscovered my agency, turned up the volume on my thoughts, and slowly found the courage to share them. I like being loud. I like challenging people. I like to be challenged. That’s the point! To challenge. To change. To try, and fail. Most importantly, to have fun. I will never forget to have fun. It’s easy to forget that when you’re hustling.

It’s been wonderful to see Jiv, and Tom thrive through their own set of values, creative curiosities, and collaborative practices. They get shit done, and they have a good time doing it. That’s my dream! I realized it this year, and I think I can keep realizing it as I move through my career.

This is where change starts. In my mind, in my own work, in my collaborations. And, as the funny, hard-working, chillax team at Pandemic Theatre showed me: change ripples.

Thanks to Pandemic Theatre, and Theatre Ontario for supporting my training and deep existential dive into my theatre practice. It’s been rad.

Related Reading:


The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is March 1, 2019.

Learn more about Theatre Ontario's Professional Theatre Training Program

Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.