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more
than a
theatre.

The Theatre Centre is a nationally recognized live-arts incubator and community hub. Our mission is to offer a home for creative, cultural and social interactions to invent the future.

We make work that spans disciplines and genres; work that pushes the boundaries of what is considered “art”. Our programming and our role as a community space are inextricably linked. Art is not made in a silo: it is connected to the world around it. 

We offer one of the only spaces in the neighbourhood where folks can pop in for a coffee, spend the day working, or just hang out (no purchase necessary). It is a community hub and a place to gather; a place where you — regardless of class, race, ethnicity, religion, or ability — are welcome to be. You don’t have to identify as an artist or performer to use the space. We want you to feel at home here.

We believe art is political. 

We believe resources go further when you share them.

We believe cultural spaces are public spaces.

We believe in offering artists time—time to try, time to fail, time to discover all of the things their ideas will not become.

Land Acknowledgement

The Theatre Centre resides on stolen land in Tkaronto — a gathering place that has been home to the Anishinaabe, including the Mississaugas of the Credit; the Haudenosaunee; and the Wendat since time immemorial. We offer our gratitude to all past, present, and future generations of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples that have cared, and continue to care, for Turtle Island. 

The Theatre Centre is committed to disrupting the ongoing systems and structures that uphold settler-colonialism, heteropatriarchy, white supremacy, and ableism by continuously learning and unlearning from our collective past(s). The lands of Tkaronto are covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum, an agreement forged between the Anishinaabe Nation and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy to peaceably share resources; and The Toronto Purchase Treaty No. 13, an alleged agreement between settlers and the Mississaugas of the Credit for the “purchase” of 250, 830 acres of land for 10 shillings. Treaty 13 was imposed by the Crown in 1805 to give settlers legal title to the land, starkly privileging settler lives over Indigenous lives. At The Theatre Centre, we understand treaties as emblematic of relationship building. Treaty 13 exemplifies the imbalanced power dynamics embedded within Indigenous-settler relationships, highlighting the work settlers and PWIs must take on before reaching a place where trust and mutual respect are even possible.

Like many arts organizations, The Theatre Centre has directly benefited from settler-colonialism throughout its past to the present day. By making our home in Tkaronto, we take on a role that comes with responsibilities to the land and its stewards. These responsibilities start with building long-term and meaningful relationships with local Indigenous communities and organizations. We are committed to using our voice and platform to support those already doing the work, but we know we still have a long way to go.

we value

Resources go further when we share them. Generosity is not always easy, but through intentional acts of sharing what we have – with artists, with our communities – we open the doors of possibility, creating ripple effects we may never imagine.

“Innovation comes from those who are happy to embark on a course of action without quite knowing where it will lead, without doing a feasibility study, without fear of failure or too much hope of reward. The engine of innovation is reckless generosity.”
~Frank Cottrell Boyce

The most interesting things happen when artists and audiences allow themselves to follow their curiosity and muster the courage to take risks. Curiosity is fueled by good questions. Good questions lead us toward discovery.

Our space is a public space. Our doors are thrown open to artists, audiences, neighbours, first time visitors and long standing friends. We are made stronger through a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Our building provides space to create, perform, meet, socialize, engage, and imagine a future that is for everyone.

We never presume to know. We start every new relationship by asking “what do you need?” We’re inspired by creators and collaborators from all walks of life, and we believe in the extraordinary and unexpected potential of others. We understand humility as a daily practice to empower those we serve.

Decisions taken today must be made with tomorrow in mind. The resources we enjoy and share are managed to remain in place for the future. We are accountable to the stewards of tomorrow.

our baskets

Creating

Residency provides artists with the resources of money, space, time, and mentorship to create new works over long periods, from idea to production.

Producing

We produce the work developed from our Residency program.

Presenting

We present national and international performances, placing the work of Toronto artists in a global context.

Moving the Work

We grow networks and manage touring opportunities for work developed in Residency.

Sharing

We believe that resources go further when you share them.

other productions

meet the team

Aislinn Rose (she/her)
Artistic & General Director
Aislinn loves mixing classic cocktails – think spirit-forward poured over hand-cut ice cubes, or garnished with a vermouth soaked cocktail onion. It’s all about the ritual and the details. Friends know I keep a good secret, and love to get on my feet for an angry rant on almost any topic. Contact her about Residency, touring, professional development, collaborations & partnerships, or for a too-long conversation about the Star Wars expanded universe. And don’t be afraid to give her a nudge if you don’t hear back (thank you for the nudge): [email protected]

liza paul (she/her)
Associate Artistic Director
Liza loves reggae music, jokes, cocktails, family, friends, and the wild ride that is making art with other people. “it’s a delight to work with the humans that make up this place and i can’t wait for the moment when you can come and hang out with all of us irl again.” Contact her if you are interested in residency, comedy, art making or presenting or exhibiting of any kind, collaborations, generosity, donations, sponsorship, or any questions about the way we do things at the theatre centre: [email protected]
Audrey Kwan memoji

Audrey Kwan (she/her)
Managing Director
Audrey is a filipina-chinese settler, born and raised on unceded Coast Salish land in the territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She’s passionate about art, histories, travelling, learning languages, and all things related to food. She is also a taurus. Contact her for questions about money things (donations, sponsorships, finance, & accounting), and our operations: [email protected]

Navid Amini (he/him)
Director of Facilities & Production
Navid is a “gamer” and an avid fan of bad movies! Contact him for all your tech questions: [email protected]

Alexis Eastman memoji

Alexis Eastman (she/her)
Producer
Alexis is a writer, creator, producer and collaborator. She loves pop music, horror movies and her dog. She’d really like to meet a ghost. Contact her for questions about producing/co-producing, Residency, touring productions or past Residency productions/artists: [email protected]

Xanath Fuentes Natanson (she/her)
Café/Bar Manager
A Gemini rising and Charlotte York moon, Xanath’s love of Greek drama (Jersey Shore) led her to a life of theatricality. A modern-day Dionysus she is sustained by wine (natural preferably), savoury pockets, and friendship. If you can’t find her behind the bar, contact her for all things food and beverage related at


Liza Hersh
(she/her)
Producer & Partnerships Manager
Liza is a theatre and arts admin nerd who loves belting out musicals when she thinks no one can hear. A lover of carbs and the outdoors, you’ll probably find her eating snacks, thinking about food, walking in a ravine, or gardening. Contact her for anything related to Residency and partnerships at [email protected].

Yoan Holder (he/him)
Technical Director
Yoan loves all things tech and art and is passionate for finding ways to make those worlds combine. Outside of theatre, he spends time exploring big cities, being a cat person, and keeping true to his Taurus ways. Hit him up with your tech questions: [email protected] 

Sara Jaffri (she/her)
Administrative Coordinator
Sara is a chronic nap-taker with a love of long walks, music spanning several genres and cultures, and being in solitude as much as practically possible. Contact her at [email protected] and she can redirect you to who you may really need to reach.

Emily Jung (she/her)
Director of Communications
Emily is: an artist/artsworker, a Theatre Ninja with 0 athletic abilities, and a chronically online but technically un-savvy extroverted introvert. Basically she is just happy to be there. A genuine fan of zoning out mid-work. She is happy to answer your inquiries in English/Korean at 

Josh Marchesini (he/him)
Social Media & Content Coordinator
Josh is: a Scorpio sun, Leo moon, Cancer rising. He writes articles sometimes and you can always find him listening to a new Spotify playlist. From time to time, he also likes cooking chicken stroganoff and cheeseburgers. You can reach him for cross-promo requests and all things social at [email protected]

Angelo Pileggi (he/him)
Producer & Audience Experience Manager
Angelo is all things theatre, groceries and Gaga. When he’s not in the theatre making sure both patrons and artists have everything they need to have a good time, he’s probably grocery shopping or catching up on the latest with Lady Gaga. Message him with box office or front-of-house questions: [email protected]

Aidan Shepherd (he/him/any)
House Technician

Aidan is a social introvert who likes board games, crafting and having too many side projects. If you can’t find him, he’s probably on the patio. You can email him at [email protected] — any questions that will be answered with “let me ask Navid about that.”


Hilary Wirachowsky
(she/her)
Associate Patron Experience Manager
Hilary is an artist and artsworker: An Aquarius with enough Capricorn in her chart that tricks people into believing she’s a Cap. (Take that information however you will). She’s passionate about all things theatre and film, with honourable mentions in skin care, food & wine, and the majority of the real housewives franchises. Contact her for box office or front-of-house needs. Or to tell her you’re also from Saskatchewan: [email protected]

Samantha Vu

Samantha Vu (she/her)
Associate Producer
Samantha is from the beautiful mountain-lined town of Calgary, Alberta. She loves all things outdoors and embarking on new adventures. Samantha loves to sing and dance around her house and make delicious food for her friends. Last but not least, she is a big ole romantic and loves long walks on the beach. Contact her about producing/co-producer and touring productions: [email protected]

Board of Directors

Kevin Helfand – President
Chris Scammell – Vice President
Brittany Keenan – Treasurer
Julia Huys– Secretary
Alex Irwin
Roselyn Kelada-Sedra
Brad Lepp
Paul Pinkus
Shemeena Shraya

history

Founded in 1979, The Theatre Centre has an over 40 year history that has taken us all over the city (and around the world). The timeline below features a few events from the last 40 years. It is in no way a complete record. It is a living timeline and we will continue to add to it. 

Header image: LTR company Nova Dance on the steps of The Theatre Centre. Photo by Ed Hanley