2019 - 20

celebrating 40 yearsNightwoodTheatre

theatre for everyonemade by women

the electionOctober 9 – 27, 2019

every day she roseNovember 23 – December 8, 2019

the solitudesJanuary 7 – 18, 2020

all the little animals i have eaten

March 24 – April 12, 2020

NightwoodTheatre

This page: Kelly Thornton, Andrea Donaldson, Beth Brown. Cover, left to right: Lauren Vandervoort, Teiya Kasahara, Naz Afsahi, Kelly Thornton, Andrea Donaldson, Beth Brown, Victoria Laberge, Angie Ho and Sadie Epstein-Fine.Photos by John Lauener.

The 11TH annual Lawyer ShowJune 2020

groundswell:

write from the hip readingsSeptember 2019

kelly thorntonArtistic Director Emeritus

andrea donaldsonArtistic Director

beth brownManaging Director

nightwoodtheatre.net

In 1979 four women got together because they wanted to make theatre. It seems simple but in reality the very act in itself was political. Our stages were not only dominated by male playwrights, but the new Canadian play itself was an anomaly. Now, forty years later our voices are heard across the country and around the world. It is with immense pride that we celebrate Nightwood’s legacy of propelling the voices of women on our stages, and for making such a significant contribution to the canon.

In considering Nightwood’s place on the Canadian theatre landscape we must remember the shoulders we stand on and the path that has been carved by so many before us: from our founders Cynthia Grant, Kim Renders, Mary Vingoe and Maureen White who launched the dream, to Kate Lushington who succeeded as the Artistic Director in the late eighties and made it her mission to create more inclusion on our stages with the likes of Djanet Sears and Monique Mojica seeing some of their earliest work at Nightwood. We salute Artistic Directors Diane Roberts and Alisa Palmer who continued to push that conversation forward. And now, as we pen this message a new chapter unfolds again for Nightwood as the torch is passed from Kelly to Andrea, and the stage is set to build on our current success and push further the boundaries of what our theatre can mean for the next generation.

Nightwood has achieved an immense amount of growth since we were a fledgling company in the late 70s, and this resilience is a testament to all of the Administrators who steered the dream while balancing the budget. Let’s not forget their magnificent contribution. The rock on which Beth now stands has been built by all who came before her, as they tirelessly searched for money to make manifest the dream. And lest we forget the myriad of staff, volunteers and interns who have also contributed selflessly to our mission alongside our

board members, donors and funders who have invested in the company and the voices it has raised — this success is yours as well!

Finally, at its very essence, theatre is the artist and their audience. This beautiful act of storytelling, as we sit in communion with one another, is the most vital relationship we can uphold and we must protect it, for it represents our most basic human need: Connection. The artists within our 40th season are a collection of brilliant voices that have a deep-seated desire to share their work and worldview with you, in the dark, together.

Thank you for being here. For those who have been on the journey all along and those who are brand new to us, we are blessed to share our story together.

celebrating 40 years

Theatre Passe Muraille presents a Common Boots Theatre production in association with Nightwood Theatre and Theatre Direct

Written by Natasha Greenblatt and Yolanda Bonnell with the CompanyDirected by Jennifer BrewinStarring Augusto Bitter, Rachel Cairns, Joelle Peters, Anand Rajaram, Rose Stella and Courtenay StevensSet and Projection Design by Anahita DehbonehieLighting Design by Kaitlin HickeyCostume Design by Jackie ChauComposition and Music Direction by Alex SamarasDramaturgy by Yvette NolanAccessibility Dramaturgy by Alex BulmerAssistant Directed by Theresa Cutknife

the election

october 9 – 27, 2019Theatre Passe Muraille

theatre passe muraille october 2019

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Photo of Yolanda Bonnell and Natasha Greenblatt by John Lauener.

nightwoodtheatre.net

Following the wildly successful run of The Public Servant, Common Boots Theatre delivers a provocative and hilarious investigation of how Canadians engage in democracy.

In 2015, a group of theatre makers infiltrated the Canadian Federal Election as volunteers for three major political parties and documented their interactions. Exploring the intersection of Indigenous, Settler and Newcomer experiences with the political process, The Election sparks an urgent dialogue just as Canadians are about to take another swing at the ballot box. With a live vocal score, this play asks: Do we have a voice and does that voice count?

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The Election was developed with the support of Studio 180 Theatre and the Banff Playwrights Lab.

A Nightwood Theatre production

Written by Andrea Scott and Nick GreenDirected by Andrea Donaldson and Sedina FiatiStarring Adrian Shepherd-Gawinski and Monice PeterSet Design by Michelle TraceyLighting Design by Rebecca PicherackCostume Design by Ming WongSound Design by Cosette Pin

For Andrea Scott: For nick green:

every day she rose

november 23 – december 8, 2019Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

buddies in bad times theatre

november-december 2019

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Photo of Nick Green and Andrea Scott by Tanja-Tiziana.Stylist: Vanessa Fischer; Make-up: Joseph Hinds.

nightwoodtheatre.net

The personal becomes political in this collaboratively created new work from playwrights Andrea Scott and Nick Green. When racial and queer politics collide at the 2016 Toronto Pride parade, two best friends discover that the things that brought them together may now drive them apart. A hilarious and heartbreaking stare-down of privilege and oppression.

WINNERSummerWorks

Productionof the Year

WINNERDora Award forOutstandingNew Work

WINNERThe Cayle

Chernin Award for Theatre

An Aluna Theatre production in association with Nightwood Theatre

Direction and Lead Creation by Beatriz PizanoCo-created and performed by Lara Arabian, Brefny Caribou, Liliana Suárez Henao, Janis Mayers, Rosalba Martinni, Michelle Polak, Sofia Rodriguez, and Rhoma SpencerSet Design and Dramaturgy by Trevor SchwellnusLighting Design by Rebecca VandeveldeCostume Design by Vanessa FischerSound Design and Original Composition by Brandon ValdiviaAssociate Artist and Dramaturgy by Anita La SelvaChoreography by Victoria MataProduced by Sue Balint

THE SOLITUDES

january 7 – 18, 2020Harbourfront Centre Theatre

harbourfront centre theatre

january 2020

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Photo of Rosalba Martinni, Rhoma Spencer and Janis Mayers by Tanja-Tiziana; Stylist: Vanessa Fischer; Make-up: Joseph Hinds.

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nightwoodtheatre.net

Eight women on the borderline between the real and the imagined refuse to be condemned to another hundred years of solitude. Through orchestral storytelling and movement, each proposes her own distinct mythologies and life experiences toward alternative narratives of the female: to a new, larger Story.

What if this is how it begins?

Inspired by the women of Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude, this piece unearths and reclaims space for the keeping of memory.

expy

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A Nightwood Theatre production in association with Crow’s Theatre

Written and Directed by Karen HinesFeaturing Ashley Botting, Amanda Cordner, Amy Rutherford, Zorana SadiqSet and Costume Design by Gillian GallowLighting Design by Bonnie BeecherSound Design by Richard Feren

“Karen Hines’ wild mind shines.” the half step

all the little animals i have eaten

march 24 – april 12, 2020Streetcar Crowsnest

streetcar crowsnest march-april 2020

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nightwoodtheatre.net

In the latest of Karen Hines’ darkly hilarious comedies, we follow a tender-hearted young server on the most harrowing shift of her life. In the extraordinarily modern bistro of an all-women’s condo, our heroine contends with voracious insurance adjustors, literary plagiarists, and indomitable invertebrates. Table talk ranges from real estate to politics to the existential transcendence of lambs — but it’s only when the fuzzy ones start to speak that our hero really starts to listen. Governor General Award-nominated, powerhouse playwright Karen Hines (The Pochsy Plays, Crawlspace) serves up a biting meditation on neo-liberalism, consumption, precarity and hope.

For karen hines:finalist

Governor General’s LiteraryAward

Rona Ghanbari with the cast of the 2019 Lawyer Show Mamma Mia! Photo by Jeremy Mimnagh.

Write from the Hip Reading SeriesProgram Director Andrea Donaldson

Be the first to hear brand new plays from our talented 2018-19 Write from the Hip playwrights: Lara Arabian, Catt Filippov, Katherine Gauthier, Tabia Lau, and Anyika Mark.

Write from the Hip is a year-long script development program designed to support new writers toward the completion of a full-length play. Don’t miss this week of new Canadian plays!

september 23 – 28, 2019 june 2020Ernest Balmer Studio

Join us for the Legal Event of the Year!

Now in its 11th year, our annual Lawyer Show showcases the incredible talents of lawyers from all sectors! Join us in June 2020 to see more than 40 members of Toronto’s legal community take to the stage, supported by a team of professional directors, designers and vocal coaches — all while raising funds for Canada’s flagship feminist theatre.

Bolstered by attention from prestigious media publications and supported by high-profile sponsorships from some of the top players in Toronto’s legal community, The Lawyer Show is Nightwood Theatre’s main annual fundraiser. The revenue generated from this acclaimed event goes directly toward enhancing our mainstage productions, play development, mentorship initiatives and training programs.

To learn more, contact Naz Afsahi at naz@nightwoodtheatre.net.

nightwoodtheatre.net

THE 11th annual LAWYER SHOW gr undswellfestival

Photo credits: Andrea Donaldson (Dahlia Katz), Lara Arabian (Thomas Bollman), Catt Filippov (Kevin Clarke), Katherine Gauthier (Ian Brown), Tabia Lau (Matthew Dunivan), Anyika Mark (Anyika Mark), Shahrzad Arshadi (COHDS), and Anna Chatterton (David Cooper).

Children of Fire Reading Co-created by Shahrzad Arshadi (a multidisciplinary artist, human rights activist and winner of the YWCA’s 2017 Women of Distinction Inspiration Award) and Anna Chatterton (Nightwood Theatre’s Governor General Award-nominated Artist in Residence)

Children of Fire is an intimate portrayal of the Kurdish female freedom fighters that hosted Shahrzad Arshadi and Anna Chatterton in the mountains of Kurdistan. The play follows the journey and layered relationship across cultures between Shahrzad and Anna.

The Feminist Un-ConferenceTheatre practitioners are invited to listen, lead and unpack all things feminist at this heirarchy-smashing, participant-driven unconference. Join us afterwards for a celebratory cinq-à-sept to launch Nightwood’s 2019-20 Season!

be a part of nightwood theatre’smilestone 40th anniversary

full seasoN pass

arts workers,seniors & Under 30

$80

$100

TO book your season passVisit nightwoodtheatre.net or call 416-944-1740 ext. 4

Brochure Design by Kinnon Elliott

Become a Nightwood Theatre pass holder and save big on an electric season of unforgettable theatre. Flexible and convenient, season passes include free ticket exchanges if you need to switch your preferred dates!

the electionevery day she rose

the solitudesall the

little animals I have eaten

Help Nightwood celebrate 40 years of championing the diverse voices of female artists!

As we ring in our 40th Anniversary Season, we are deeply grateful for the dedicated and passionate community that has supported our mission over the decades. Nightwood’s rich history and accomplishments would not have been possible without the generosity of our family of donors. The coming years promise more stunning, award-winning productions, a deep ownership of our place as Canada’s largest and longest-standing national feminist theatre, and a meaningful commitment to developing the most vital stories and voices of our nation. If you’d like to join us in propelling female-identifying artists and inciting a discussion around equity in the arts and beyond, please be in touch with our Director of Development, Victoria Laberge, at victoria@nightwoodtheatre.net or 416-944-1740 ext. 5 for information on how to support Nightwood Theatre with a tax-deductible donation.

For more information, visit nightwoodtheatre.net.Nightwood is a registered charitable organization. No. 123709339 RR0001

Photos from our 2019 Dinner with Friends fundraising eventLeft to right: Caroline Ursulak, Moira Bacon, Pamela Taylor, Ed Bacon, Andrea Donaldson; Audrey Dwyer, Myriam Zitouni, Ric Ho, Lois Fine; Inset: Amanda Cordner and Franck Perrin.

Prices do not include HST.

@nightwoodtheatNightwood Theatre

Nightwood Theatre The Historic Distillery District 15 Case Goods Lane, Studio 306, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4

Oncea boldexperimentnowa majorforce inCanadian theatre