Canadian Stage Announces Collaboration With The Company Theatre For Berkeley Street Project, 12/9

Canadian Stage today announced The Company Theatre (A Whistle in the Dark, Festen, Through the Leaves) as the newest collaborators in The Berkeley Street Project, an ongoing partnership initiative that profiles Toronto's independent theatre community while presenting vibrant, Contemporary Theatre in the city. The Company Theatre will produce a yet-to-be-announced production at the Berkeley Street Theatre as part of Canadian Stage's 2011/2012 subscription season.

"This marks the beginning of a very exciting relationship with a company whose artistic vision truly aligns with our own," says Matthew Jocelyn, Artistic & General Director of Canadian Stage. "The Company Theatre stages progressive, provocative work that we look forward to presenting to audiences together."

One of eight companies considered for the partnership, The Company Theatre was selected as a Berkeley Street Project partner after an extensive application and interview process. The Company Theatre is an artist-driven collective led by founding co-artistic directors Allan Hawco (Republic of Doyle, A Whistle in the Dark) and Philip Riccio (Festen, A Whistle in the Dark). Their mandate to create innovative theatre that is exhilarating, stimulating and emotionally moving has been showcased through a series of successful productions that have met critical and audience acclaim.

"We are honoured to collaborate with Canadian Stage," says Philip Riccio, co-artistic director of The Company Theatre. "The opportunity to combine our shared artistic passions through a strategic partnership that will help our company grow, develop and reach a larger audience is thrilling."

The partnership will span three years, allowing both The Company Theatre and Canadian Stage to combine resources in artistic consultation, audience development, community outreach, educational programming, staging, promotion and more. This specific collaboration includes the opportunity to partner with an international director and establish a mentorship program for emerging theatre companies.

In addition to The Company Theatre, Canadian Stage continues a partnership with Studio 180 Theatre (Blackbird, The Overwhelming). As part of the 2010/2011 season, Studio 180 with Canadian Stage will present Our Class (April 4 to 30) as well as a production in the 2011.2012 season. Current Berkeley Street Project partner Nightwood Theatre (The List, That Face) has now concluded a positive three-year partnership with the company after a series of successful co-productions.

About The Berkeley Street Project:
Launched in 2008, The Berkeley Street Project is an ongoing partnership initiative that profiles Toronto's independent theatre community while presenting vibrant, Contemporary Theatre. Companies typically enter a three-year partnership based on artistic vision and shared objectives. Canadian Stage helps lead partner companies toward greater success through a consistent venue, a large audience base and shared promotional and administrative resources. The project was developed as a platform for the expansion of theatrical activity at the Berkeley Street Theatre.

About The Company Theatre:
The Company Theatre's mission is to provide audiences bold, unique and emotionally moving theatrical experiences. The company, formed in 2004 with two actors (Allan Hawco and Philip Riccio) as its artistic core, places extra emphasis on performance as the foundation of each of our productions. The company uses a working process that encourages our performers to follow their instincts in every moment instead of repeating choreographed choices. This process allows the story to unfold differently every time it is performed and provides audiences with a unique "live" experience. The company is also dedicated to collaboration between Canadian and International Artists to create work that is truly universal. The Company's past productions, A Whistle in the Dark, Marion Bridge, Festen and Through the Leaves were all critically acclaimed and enthusiastically embraced by Canadian audiences. For more information visit: www.companytheatre.ca

About Canadian Stage:
Founded in 1987 with the merger of CentreStage and Toronto Free Theatre, Canadian Stage is one of Canada's leading not-for-profit Contemporary Theatre companies. Led by Artistic & General Director Matthew Jocelyn, Canadian Stage produces and showcases innovative theatre work from Canada and around the world, allowing its audience to encounter daring work guided by a strong directorial vision and a 21st-century aesthetic. The company prides itself on presenting trans-disciplinary work and work in translation that pushes the boundaries of form and style. The company reinforces the presence of Canadian art and artists within an international context through work that mirrors the cultural diversity of Toronto. Canadian Stage has a long-standing commitment to education and enhancement programs for the public and investing in the art form by nurturing and developing theatre professionals while producing thought-provoking theatre and quality entertainment in Toronto, one of North America's largest theatre centres. For more information, refer to canadianstage.com.

 

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