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The Company Theatre

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The Company Theatre is a Toronto-based independent theatre company that produces provocative international plays with Canada's best actors.

History

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The Company Theatre (TCT) was created in 2004 by Canadian actors Allan Hawco and Philip Riccio.[1] Their goal was to create a company that encouraged actors to use their natural human instincts to create the most powerful, viscerally exciting on-stage performances possible. Wanting to provide audiences with exciting, relatable and thought-provoking experiences, they focused on producing Canadian premieres of deeply human international stories. Today, TCT works with a mix of established and emerging actors from across the country, inspiring them to embrace their instincts in each performance to create radically live theatre. Sometimes provocative and often hard-hitting, TCT's shows stem from a place of curiosity and authenticity, free from choreographed and often limiting choices.

Their debut production, the Canadian premiere of A Whistle in the Dark, opened in 2005 to great critical acclaim. Helmed by Irish director Jason Byrne, who quickly became a regular face in TCT productions, the company's production of Tom Murphy's masterpiece was described by the National Post as “one of the best things ever seen in Canada.” The show was so successful that it was remounted it in 2007 in highly acclaimed runs at both LSPU Hall in Newfoundland and Toronto's Young Centre for the Performing Arts.

Canadian Stage Partnership

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In 2010, TCT began a five-year partnership with Canadian Stage,[2] with five shows featured as part of the Toronto-based company's subscription series. The first play of the partnership was the 2011 original English translation of Lukas Bärfuss’ The Test, for which artistic director and performer Philip Riccio received a Toronto Theatre Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play.[3] The second production, Australian playwright Andrew Bovell's Speaking in Tongues, saw the stage debut of acclaimed Australian-Canadian actor Helene Joy.[4] After a successful run in 2012, TCT re-mounted the show at the Belfry Theatre in Victoria, BC, in January 2013.

In 2014, co-Artistic Director and co-founder Allan Hawco returned to the stage after a five-year hiatus to perform in Amy Herzog's Belleville,[5] the third play in the partnership. He worked alongside TCT ensemble member Christine Horne, as well as newcomers Dalmar Abuzied and Marsha Regis.

TCT's 2015 interpretation of The Seagull by Anton Chekhov, a co-production with Crow's Theatre, received a sold-out run.[6] In the same year, TCT and Canadian Stage closed their partnership with a production of Bruce Norris's Domesticated. The play starred Paul Gross and Martha Burns, alongside a cast of nine other actors, in what was TCT's largest ensemble production since 2008's Festen. Due to the popularity of the production, Domesticated ran for an extended, completely sold-out fifth week at the 244-seat Berkeley Street Theatre downstairs space.

Return to Self-Produced Theatre

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With their Canadian Stage partnership complete, TCT returned to self producing in January 2017 with the Canadian premiere of Annie Baker's John. The production was directed by TCT ensemble member Jonathan Goad in his directorial debut, and starred Nancy Beatty, Nora McLellan, Philip Riccio, and Loretta Yu. John opened to immense critical acclaim, receiving top marks from the Globe and Mail,[7] Toronto Star,[8][9] NOW Magazine[10] and various other publications.[11][12][13][14]

TCT's most recent production, Jez Butterworth's Jerusalem, was co-produced with Toronto-based theatre company Outside The March. The Canadian premiere of the play starred Kim Coates ("Sons of Anarchy" and "Bad Blood") in his epic return to the stage after 27 years of working exclusively in film and television.[15] The 14-member cast marked TCT's largest production to date, and was composed of both TCT veterans and newcomers. Due to the overwhelmingly positive response to the show, TCT extended their run of Jerusalem at the Streetcar Crowsnest for a fifth sold-out week, and went on to earn seven Dora Mavor Moore Awards, including Outstanding Production and the Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award.

Training Programs and Development Opportunities

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Since their inception in 2004, TCT has produced a variety of development workshops for actors, writers, and directors. Some of their most successful sessions included a workshop exploration of Canadian playwright Ivana Shein's play The Lovers; a deep-dive into the work of Canadian poet Anne Carson, led by acclaimed Australian director Lindy Davies; and several in-depth explorations of the works of Anton Chekhov and Harold Pinter.

In an effort to share their unique rehearsal and performance process with more creators, in 2019, TCT piloted an emerging directors program. Four directors were selected to attend a week-long workshop run by esteemed directors who had previously worked with TCT. Throughout the workshop, participants had the opportunity to work with 15 professional actors, using TCT's unique working method to explore scenes. In its inaugural year, the program focused on providing opportunities for women directors, with plans to focus on other under-represented groups in subsequent years.

In the fall of 2020, the company introduced the Blueprint New Play Development Program to their roster of development opportunities.[16] Over the course of two years, selected playwrights have the opportunity to work closely with TCT writing mentors, preparing the first draft of their plays for a staged reading led by a professional director and featuring union performers.

Intermission Magazine

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In the summer of 2015, TCT was awarded a Strategic Initiatives grant from the Metcalf Foundation to aid in the creation of a digital theatre magazine. Having noticed the rapid decline of theatre coverage in Toronto and across Canada, the company came up with an online publication meant to empower and showcase artists across the country. In March 2016, TCT officially launched Intermission Magazine — an online platform for Canadian theatre artists and arts journalists to share their voices and help develop audience engagement. The site currently features articles, videos, photography and illustrations from over 300 Canadian theatre artists, ranging from high-profile interviews with some of Canada's most beloved actors to news pieces and artist perspectives from local writers. In its inaugural year, NOW Magazine named Intermission one of its “Bright Lights of 2016,” and Torontoist selected the company as one of their “Heroes of 2016.”[17]

Past productions

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Year Production Playwright Theatre
2005 A Whistle In the Dark Tom Murphy Berkeley Street Theatre, Toronto
2007 Marion Bridge Daniel MacIvor Young Centre, Toronto
2008 Festen Thomas Vinterberg,
Mogens Rukov,
Bo Hr. Hansen		 Berkeley Street Theatre, Toronto
2010 Through The Leaves Franz Xaver Kroetz Tarragon Theatre, Toronto
2011 The Test Lukas Bärfuss Berkeley Street Theatre, Toronto
2012 Speaking In Tongues Andrew Bovell Berkeley Street Theatre, Toronto
2014 Belleville Amy Herzog Berkeley Street Theatre, Toronto
2015 The Seagull Anton Chekhov Berkeley Street Theatre, Toronto
2015 Domesticated Bruce Norris Berkeley Street Theatre, Toronto
2017 John Annie Baker Berkeley Street Upstairs Theatre, Toronto
2018 Jerusalem Jez Butterworth Crow's Theatre, Toronto

Awards and nominations

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Year Show Award Category Recipient Result
2005 A Whistle in the Dark 26th Dora Mavor Moore Awards

(Independent Theatre)

Outstanding Production The Company Theatre Nominated[18]
Outstanding Performance - Male Joseph Ziegler
2007 Marion Bridge 28th Dora Mavor Moore Awards

(Independent Theatre)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Sarah Dodd Won[19]
2009 Festen 30th Dora Mavor Moore Awards

(Independent Theatre)

Outstanding Production The Company Theatre Nominated[20]
Outstanding Direction John Byrne
Outstanding Performance - Male Philip Riccio
2011 Through the Leaves 32nd Dora Mavor Moore Awards

(Independent Theatre)

Outstanding Production The Company Theatre Won[21]
Outstanding Direction Philip Riccio Nominated[22]
Outstanding Performance - Male Nicholas Campbell
Outstanding Performance Maria Vacratsis
Outstanding Scenic Design John Thompson Won[21]
2012 The Test 2nd Toronto Theatre Critics Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Play Philip Riccio Won[23]
2017 John Dora Mavor Moore Awards

(Independent Theatre)

Outstanding Performance - Male Philip Riccio Nominated[24]
Outstanding Performance - Female Nancy Beatty
Outstanding Performance - Female Nora McLellan Won[25]
Outstanding Scenic Design Shannon Lea Doyle
Toronto Theatre Critics' Awards Best Production of a Play The Company Theatre Won[26]
Best International Play The Company Theatre
Best Supporting Actress in a Play Nora McLellan
2018 Jerusalem Dora Mavor Moore Awards

(General Theatre)

Outstanding Production The Company Theatre, Outside the March, and Starvox Entertainment Won[27]
Outstanding Direction Mitchell Cushman
Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role Kim Coates
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Jason Cadieux

Nicholas Campbell Brenna Coates Shakura Dickson, Diana Donnelly Peter Fernandes, Christo Graham Daniel Kash Evan Kearns David Kohlsmith Katelyn McCulloch Philip Riccio Kieran Sequoia Michael Spencer-Davis

Outstanding Scenic Design Nick Blais
Outstanding Lighting Design André du Toit
John Kaplan Audience Choice Award The Company Theatre, Outside the March, and Starvox Entertainment
Toronto Theatre Critics Awards Best Design Nick Blais (scenic), Lindsay Dagger Junkin (costume), André du Toit (lighting), and Richard Feren (music & sound) Won[28]

References

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  1. ^ "The Company Theatre | The Toronto Theatre Database". Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  2. ^ Anker, Erica. "Canadian Stage Announces Collaboration With The Company Theatre For Berkeley Street Project, 12/9". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  3. ^ "The 2nd Annual Toronto Theatre Critics' Awards". JAZZ.FM91. 2012-05-31. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  4. ^ Atkinson, Nathalie (2012-10-28). "What I Wear: Murdoch Mysteries and Speaking in Tongues actress Hélène Joy". National Post. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  5. ^ Wheeler, Brad (2014-04-11). "Allan Hawco moves from Republic of Doyle back to the stage". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  6. ^ "Crow's Theatre 2022-23 Season Announced". Toronto On Demand. 2022-06-12. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  7. ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly (2017-02-01). "Annie Baker's John is a religious experience". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  8. ^ "Actresses 'of a certain age' thrive in juicy roles on Toronto stage". The Toronto Star. 2017-02-15. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  9. ^ "Company Theatre's John a fine introduction to Annie Baker's work: review". The Toronto Star. 2017-02-03. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  10. ^ Sumi, Glenn (2017-02-07). "John shows the extraordinary beneath the ordinary". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  11. ^ "Review: JOHN Theatre Reviews for the Serious Theatre-Goer The Slotkin Letter". slotkinletter.com. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  12. ^ "Review - John - The Company Theatre, Toronto - Christopher Hoile". www.stage-door.com. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  13. ^ "Beliefs, perceptions & connections in the intimate, otherworldly John". life with more cowbell. 2017-02-05. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  14. ^ "The Company Theatre | DARTcritics". Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  15. ^ "Sons of Anarchy's Kim Coates returns to stage in T.O." The Toronto Star. 2017-06-20. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  16. ^ "New Play Development Program". The Company Theatre. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  17. ^ Torontoist (2016-12-31). "2016 Hero: Intermission Magazine". Torontoist. Retrieved 2022-06-08.
  18. ^ Jones, Kenneth (June 28, 2005). "Urinetown, Half Life, Bigger Than Jesus Among Winners of Toronto's 2005 Dora Awards". Playbill.
  19. ^ "Complete list of Dora winners". thestar.com. 2007-06-26. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  20. ^ Jones, Kenneth (June 29, 2009). "Jersey Boys, Agokwe, Eternal Hydra Are Among Nominees at June 29 Dora Awards in Toronto". Playbill.
  21. ^ a b "Through the Leaves | The Toronto Theatre Database". Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  22. ^ Lewis, Jessica. "PRISCILLA, BILLY ELLIOT et al Earn Toronto's Dora Award Nominations!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  23. ^ "Buddies in Bad Times Theatre big winners at Dora Awards". thestar.com. 2011-06-27. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  24. ^ Antaki, May (2017-05-30). "Intermission | Nominations: 38th Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards". Intermission. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  25. ^ "Announcement: 2017 Dora Mavor Moore Award Winners (With Links to MoT Reviews) | Mooney on Theatre". www.mooneyontheatre.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  26. ^ Torontoist (2017-05-25). "The Winners From The 2017 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards". Torontoist. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  27. ^ "Jerusalem and Life After top 2018 Dora Mavor Moore Awards". thestar.com. 2018-06-26. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  28. ^ Kappler, Maija (2018-05-23). "Intermission | Here are the 2018 Toronto Theatre Critics Award Winners". Intermission. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
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