Canadian Stage Facilitation & Work

Over the past seasons at Canadian Stage, I've had the privilege of building something I deeply believe in: a theatre that belongs to its community.
There were challenges along the way, but every moment was worth it.
As I wrap up this chapter, I want to thank every community member, educator, artist, partner, and patron who joined us and supported our work.

Here are a few things I’m especially proud of:

We welcomed about 6,000 students over three seasons.
Student performances for 1939, Fat Ham, and Robin Hood sold out.
Sold out educational capacity for Mahabharata, The Far Side of the Moon, and A Doll's House.
We created detailed study guides to help teachers and students get even more from their experience.
We hosted 32 Indigenous-led Reflection Space sessions, totalling 24 hours of ongoing dialogue about Truth and Reconciliation, and welcomed over 1,000 participants.
We connected with nearly 5600 patrons through 70 different events.
We organized ASL-interpreted performances, free childcare matinees, talkbacks, backstage tours, Teachers’ Nights, and pre-show conversations with top academics and artists.
We became the only Toronto theatre included in the Toronto Public Library’s TPL Map Program. We renewed our multi-year contract with the TDSB. We also welcomed students from some of the city’s most under-resourced schools and saw many discover theatre for the first time.
J'ai eu le plaisir d'animer une discussion bilingue sur l'importance du multilinguisme dans le théâtre canadien.
Acercamos artistas latinoamericanos a nuestra audiencia gracias a nuestras charlas.

None of this was possible alone. It took a whole community and people who, like me, believe theatre should be for everyone.

Thank you to Trina Moyan and her team, Jani Lauzon, and Kaitlin Riordan for creating the 1939 Reflection Spaces. It was one of the most moving experiences of my career.

Thank you to Jamii, the Disability Collective, L’Arche Toronto, PWA, Fife House, the Toronto Public Library, TDSB, TCDSB, and every school, university, college, educator, and community group who trusted us with your students and communities.

Thank you to my colleagues, technicians, directors, leaders, donors and artists at Canadian Stage who made all of these programs possible.

Dr. Cheryl Thompson. Ph.D.

Canada Research Chair in Black Expressive Culture and Creativity

Manuel's approach to the event was both intentional and thoughtful. Manuel maintained a high degree of professionalism throughout the process, from his initial contact through to the night of the conversation and the honorarium facilitation. It was all handled with great care.

His questions were insightful and showed a genuine interest in exploring complex themes, including the impact of slavery on Canadian artistic expression. The conversation was well attended, and the audience remained engaged throughout.

After the pre-show discussion, the audience entered the theatre with new perspectives that enriched their experience of the play.