Canadian Theatre a World of Stories

Canadian Theatre A World of Stories

Theatre brings Canadians together. It invites us to participate in the unfolding of an experience, in real time, in a shared space – from a downtown stage to a rural community hall, in a park, on a beach, or in a barn. And Canadians love to attend – 41% of us attended a theatre performance in the past year.1 That’s over 14 million people!

Coming together to experience live theatre with others creates bonds and invites connections, especially important at a time when divisions often feel more pronounced.

Canadian research finds that 94% of us agree that the arts are a valuable way of bringing people together from different languages and traditions.2 A live theatre performance has the extraordinary power to synchronize the heartbeats of an audience.3

Communities recognize the value that vibrant theatre scenes bring to their quality of life.

80% of Canadians say theatre is important to making their towns and cities great places to live and attracts visitors.4 Theatre supports business growth in many communities, driving tourism and related sectors.

1 http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/pwgsc-tpsgc/por-ef/canadian_heritage/2017/051-16-e/ Children of God by Corey Payette, Urban Ink, 2017. Photo by Emily Cooper features the cast. A report.pdf, p.6. Directed by Corey Payette, design by Marshall McMahen, lighting by Jeff Harrison. 2 http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/pwgsc-tpsgc/por-ef/canadian_heritage/2017/051-16-e/ Birds of a Feather by Robert Watson, Roseneath Theatre, 2017. Photo by John Packman report.pdf, p. 21. B 3 http://www.ucl.ac.uk/pals/pals-news/audience-members-hearts-beat-together features Michaela DiCesare. Directed by Andrew Lamb, set and projections by Beth Kates, 4 https://pact.ca/services-support/the-case-for-theatre/creating-vibrant-communities/ costumes and props by Melanie McNeill. D

C We celebrate our theatre artists.

90% of Canadians agree that our actors and other artists are among the best in the world, contributing to a rich and diverse theatre sector for all of us.5

Increasingly, Canada’s theatre sector builds bridges and makes connections. E

The creation of the Indigenous Theatre at the National Arts Centre exemplifies this, as does Cahoots Theatre, whose mission is to examine the complexities of diversity through theatre, through such programs as Crossing Gibraltar, an artistic collaboration with a diverse range of marginalized and newcomer communities, serving youth, emerging artists, adult creators and more.

In Canada’s highly-wired world, the impact of online viewing strengthens audience attendance and live connection.

23% of respondents to a recent Canadian Heritage Study on Arts Access and Availability say they attend even more live events as a result of online viewing of pre-recorded content.

About PACT PACT is a member-driven organization of professional Canadian theatres that serves as the collective voice of its members. We are a leader in the national performing arts community, and a devoted advocate for the value of live performance. Since 1979 we have focused on providing a community where theatre professionals (both artistic and administrative) can come together to discuss important issues and work together to create innovative solutions.

5 http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/pwgsc C The Other Side of the Game by Amanda Parris, Cahoots Theatre and Obsidian Theatre, 2017. Photo by Dahlia Katz features Virgilia Griffith tpsgc/por-ef/canadian_heriage/2017/051-16 and Shakura Dickson. Directed by Nigel Shawn Williams, set and props by Joanna Yu, costumes by Rachel Forbes, lighting by Kaitlin Hickey. -e/report.pdf, p. 21 D The Hockey Sweater: A Musical by Emil Sher and Jonathan Monro, Segal Centre, 2017. Photo by Leslie Schachter features the cast. Directed by Donna Feore, set and costumes by Michael Gianfrancesco, lighting by Luc Prairie, projections by Normal Studio.

E The Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst by David van Belle and Eric Rose, Ghost River Theatre, 2015. Photo by Benjamin Laird features David van Belle and Matthew McKinney. Directed by Eric Rose, set and costumes by Patrick Du Wors, sound by Matthew Waddell, video by Wladimiro A. Woyno Rodriguez. Theatre in Canada By the Numbers

Theatre is at the heart of many Canadian communities, large and small. It’s about artists, volunteers, audiences and community members sharing stories and enriching understanding with each other - whether a gripping re-telling of the Halifax Explosion or a timeless Shakespeare classic about tragic young love. Theatre can be a contemporary play for young audiences that helps them navigate their own life issues or an outdoor summer festival delight. Whatever form it takes, theatre makes Canada a richer place to call home.

CANADIANS LOVE OUR THEATRE

Forty-one percent of Canadians attended a theatre performance in the last year.1 That’s over 41% 14 million people!

Many Canadians volunteer to support theatre in their communities. Canadian 100,000 fringe festivals alone have more than 5,000 volunteers each year, donating over 100,000 hours of time.

In Canada, we have more than 393 theatre companies and 7,805 actors 7,805 and comedians.2

90% of Canadians agree that our actors and other artists A are among the best in the world, contributing to a rich 90% and diverse theatre sector for all of us.3 PART OF EVERY CHILD’S EDUCATION

In Ontario, the majority of residents strongly agree (76%) or somewhat agree (21%) that engaging children 1497% in the arts is important to their overall development.4

Theatres take their work to schools across the country. Roseneath Theatre has travelled enough to circle the 14 globe 14 times! B

1 http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/pwgsc-tpsgc/por-ef/canadian_heritage A Venus’ Daughter by Meghan Swaby, Obsidian Theatre, 2016. Photo by Lyon Smith features /2017/051-16-e/report.pdf Akosua Amo-Adem. Directed by Philip Akin, set and costumes by Joe Pagnan, lighting and 2 (http://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/dai/smr08/2015/smr08_198_2015) projection by Kaitlin Hickey. 3 http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/pwgsc-tpsgc/por-ef/canadian_heritage/2017/051-16-e/ report.pdf, p. 21 B Photo by Quest Theatre of drama camp participants. 4 http://www.arts.on.ca/oac/media/oac/Publications/Research%20Reports%20EN-FR/Social%20Im pacts%20of%20the%20Arts/Quality-of-Life-and-Well-Being-Exec-Summary_Final_EN_Accessible.pdf UNDERSTANDING AROUND THE WORLD

C Ninety-four percent of Canadians agree that arts experiences such as theatre are a valuable way of 94% bringing people together from different languages and traditions.5

Beyond Canada and the U.S., in 2016 Canadian theatre companies visited more than 16 countries and performed in more than 50 international communities as diverse as 50 Iceland, Singapore and Tunisia.

CONTRIBUTING TO CANADA’S ECONOMY

Performing arts contributed $1.8 billion $1.8 billion to the GDP in 2010.6

Theatre is vitally important to tourism across Canada. Eighty percent of Canadians agree that theatre makes communities more attractive to visitors.7 80% Last year the Stratford Festival welcomed patrons from over 56 countries.8

5 http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/pwgsc-tpsgc/por-ef/canadian_heritage/2017/051-16-e C The Breathing Hole by Colleen Murphy, Stratford Festival, 2017. Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann /report.pdf. features Jani Lauzon and Bruce Hunter. Directed by Reneltta Arluk, set by Daniela Masellis, 6 http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/13-604-m/2014075/culture-4-eng.htm costumes by Joanna Yu, lighting by Itai Erdal. 7 https://pact.ca/services-support/the-case-for-theatre/creating-vibrant-communities/ 8 Internal data from the Stratford Festival. World Theatre Made in Canada

Canadian theatre makes a mark for our country around the world. From cultural exchanges in Tunisia and South Africa to large-scale presentations in Singapore and New York City, theatre puts our country on the map. Canadian theatre companies are expanding into more markets, sharing our unique Canadian perspective on the world stage.

SOME PLACES WHERE CANADIAN THEATRE TOURS

USA IRELAND UNITED FRANCE BELGIUM ITALY TUNISIA CHINA Albany Dublin KINGDOM Canteleu Ghent Naples Tunis Beijing Albuquerque Birmingham Clermont-Ferrand Changsha Buffalo ICELAND Bristol Grand-Bornand GERMANY ESTONIA CHAD Changzhou Cedar Falls Akureyri Cardiff Granville Hamburg Tallinn N’Djamena Chengdu Chandler Reykjavijk Edinburgh Hennebont Chongqing Chicago London Jeumont Guangzhou Cleveland Manchester La Rochelle Hefei Costa Mesa Reading Le Havre Hong Kong Dallas Winchester Lyon Kunshan Davis Martigues Liuzhou Des Moines Strasbourg Nanjing Edmonda Tournefeuille Nanning Eire Ningbo Everett Shanghai Fayetteville Shenzhen Fort Lauderdale Xiamen Geneva Xi’an Green Bay Zhongshan Greenville Hardwick JAPAN Ithaca Niigata Lawrence Tokyo Long Beach Longview TAIWAN Malibu Taipei Memphis Milwaukee SINGAPORE Modesto Singapore New Brunswick New York AUSTRALIA Newark Melbourne Palm Desert Sydney Portland Poughkeepsie NEW ZEALAND Red Bank Wellington Salina San Francisco Santa Clarita Seattle Toledo West Palm Beach

More than ever, creative entrepreneurs must look to global markets to be competitive, generate revenue and jobs, and grow.

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, 28 September 2017 SHARING CANADIAN THEATRE WITH THE WORLD BENEFITS ALL CANADIANS

Bringing leaders of the U.S. administration to Broadway to see this story (Come From Away) that reflected so positively on Canada-U.S. relations in our friend’s most difficult hour was clever cultural diplomacy.

Tim Powers, The Hill Times, 9 August 2017

Working internationally fosters relationships,

builds audiences and creates jobs for Canadians. A

International cultural exchange and reciprocity enriches our lives. The perspectives and stories of people from other nations broaden our horizons and those of our audiences.

China is now Mermaid’s second market - we earned 23% of our revenue there in 2016-17, and expect to see continued growth.

Danny Everson, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia

Continuing to expand markets for Canadian theatre means more jobs at home.

Canadian theatre, on stages around the world, shares our stories - entertaining, enlightening, and engaging audiences with our unique Canadian perspective and artistry.

World Theatre: Made in Canada brings people together, strengthening our mutual understanding and respect.

A Come From Away by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, Mirvish Productions, 2018. Photo by B The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favourites, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. Matthew Murphy features the cast of the Canadian company. Directed by Christopher Ashley, Photo by Margo Ellen Gesser. Adapted, directed, and designed by Jim Morrow. set by Beowulf Boritt, costumes by Toni-Leslie James, lighting by Howell Binkley.