Mixed Company Theatre: ‘Bouncing Back’ from Homelessness

Toronto, January 11, 2010 – Every year Mixed Company Theatre’s initiatives include a homelessness project. Betty Joe Morris, a 2009 project participant described her experience as: “It kept me clean and off the streets of the drug life.”

This year, our artists collaborate with youth who are ‘at-risk’ or have experienced homelessness to develop an original, interactive, and issue-based play in the Bouncing Back Project, funded by the City of Toronto’s Drug Prevention Community Investment Program. This production will tour shelters, community centers, and schools across Toronto to raise awareness surrounding the issues of homelessness and substance abuse.

The first step of this 4-week project is auditions for young people ages 15 – 25. On Wednesday, January 27, Mixed Company Theatre encourages those who have experienced homelessness and have a passion for performing to attend an open call for performers.

Garnering intense media interest over the years, Mixed Company Theatre’s homelessness projects result in astonishing experiences that transform the lives of participants, company members and audiences alike. 

AUDITIONS

WHERE: Mixed Company Theatre, 157 Carlton Street (at Sherbourne), Toronto ON

WHEN: Wednesday, January 27 2010

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Interested youth are encouraged to book an audition appointment. Please contact 416 515 8080 or Duncan@mixedcompanytheatre.com for more information.

Mixed Company Theatre Springs into 2010 with Ontario Arts Council Support

Toronto, December 18, 2009 - The Ontario Arts Council has confirmed their support for Mixed Company’s Spring 2010 Educational Tour. This assistance from the Ontario Arts Council will help students understand issues from the perspective of others through Mixed Company’s delivery of interactive, entertaining, and age-appropriate theatrical presentations. Secondary and elementary level offerings for the coming season include:

DISS - Touring March 22 – April 16 2010

For Grades 9-12

Why is gang life so appealing? Mixed Company’s acclaimed 2009 Summer production focuses on gang presence in our neighbourhoods and the pressures youth face finding social connection and identity. Created in collaboration with the Toronto Police Service and youth who have experienced violence, the plot covers snitching, family relationships, friendship, theft, gun violence and many other issues that affect young people living with gang presence in their communities.

Morro and Jasp...GO GREEN! - Touring April 12 – 30 2010

For Grades K-6

Mixed Company Theatre partners with UNIT - Up Your Nose and In Your Toes – to tour “their best show yet: an eco-tainment piece about environmental issues that's both funny and informational for youngsters.” (NOW Magazine, Toronto, July 4, 2008). Clowns Morro and Jasp turn assumptions about being green on their heads, teaching that every little bit does make a difference. This show delivers the ‘going green’ message like never before!

Jackie Richardson Adds Soul to the STARS Gala

Toronto, October 13, 2009 – Mixed Company Theatre is delighted to announce that Jackie Richardson will be performing at the 1st Annual STARS Awards Gala, Mixed Company Theatre’s 25th Anniversary celebration.

One of Canada's foremost singers of gospel, blues and jazz, Richardson has a powerful and supple voice and a warm, vibrant stage presence. The music of Jackie Richardson is an experience of soul, a profoundly personal synthesis of the remarkable gospel, blues and jazz women she has embodied on stage and screen. A veteran of the stage and the small and large screens, Jackie Richardson forged a very successful acting career with roles in "No! No! Nanette Anything Goes"; "Hello Dolly!" and “Raisin in the Sun". She became well known for her part in "Ain't Misbehaving", which earned her a Dora Award.

Richardson has worked with Mixed Company Artistic Director, Simon Malbogat, and Mixed Company is excited to partner with her for the 1st Annual STARS Awards Gala.

Enhanced by artistic performances, a silent auction, award ceremony and cocktail reception, celebrating Mixed Company Theatre’s 25 years of positive change will be an evening to remember.

WHERE: SHAMBA foundation, 48 Yonge Street, Suite 1200, Toronto, ON

WHEN: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Tickets are $75 per person or $200 for 3 people and can be purchased by calling 416 515 8080 or visiting www.mixedcompanytheatre.com.

Tickets on Sale for Mixed Company Theatre’s STARS Awards Gala

Toronto, October 7, 2009 – Tickets are now on sale to the 1st Annual STARS Awards Gala, Mixed Company Theatre’s 25th Anniversary celebration.

Mixed Company Theatre is thrilled to partner with Master of Ceremonies, Suhana Meharchand, desert sponsor, Dufflet, and host, SHAMBA foundation to celebrate the STARS Awards Gala.
Enhanced by artistic performances, a silent auction, award ceremony and cocktail reception, celebrating Mixed Company Theatre’s 25 years of positive change will be an evening to remember.

WHERE: SHAMBA foundation, 48 Yonge Street, Suite 1200, Toronto, ON
WHEN: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Tickets are $75 per person or $200 for 3 people and can be purchased by calling 416 515 8080 or visiting www.mixedcompanytheatre.com.

Meharchand for MC

Toronto – Suhana Meharchand hosts Mixed Company Theatre’s 1st Annual STARS Awards Gala, honouring past, present and future STARS. Celebrating Mixed Company Theatre’s 25th Anniversary, the STARS Awards Gala will take place on November 25.

Meharchand is host of CBC News Today, a national news and interview program on CBC Newsworld. During her more than twenty years in journalism, Meharchand has won national and international awards for her work and has been recognized by numerous organizations for her community service. Mixed Company Theatre is excited to partner with Meharchand to promote positive change in our community.

The star-studded evening will include an awards ceremony, artistic performances, a silent auction and a cocktail reception; celebrating Mixed Company Theatre’s 25 years of positive change will be an evening to remember.

WHERE: SHAMBA foundation
48 Yonge Street, Suite 1200, Toronto, ON
(NW Corner of Yonge Street & Wellington Street W)

WHEN: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 – 6:00PM-10:00PM

Mixed Company Theatre produces innovative, socially relevant drama as a tool to educate, engage and empower for positive change.

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Calling all Theatre Creators

Toronto – Calling all Ontario theatre creators! Mixed Company Theatre welcomes applicants to submit proposals for the Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creators' Reserve Fund.

Mixed Company’s Theatre Creators' Reserve Fund assists Ontario-based professional theatre creators, and informal collectives of creators, by funding them to create theatre as a tool for positive social change.

Mixed Company Theatre asks applicants to submit a project outline containing objectives, timeline and budget no later than Thursday, October 1, 2009. Final results will be announced on Friday, October 30, 2009, for works starting between November 2009 and February 2010.

Application forms are available at www.mixedcompanytheatre.com or 416 515 8080.

Mixed Company Theatre produces innovative, socially relevant drama as a tool to educate, engage and empower for positive change.

Gang Violence: From the Streets to the Stage

Gang Violence: From the Streets to the Stage

Toronto, July 27, 2009 – Mixed Company Theatre partners with the Toronto Police Service to create theatre for social change with youth affected by gang violence.

"The Toronto Police Service's partnership with Mixed Company Theatre creates an excellent opportunity to engage communities through the use of theatre arts and assists our ongoing efforts to enhance relationships with citizens of Toronto. Positive community relations improve our effectiveness in keeping our community safe,” said Staff Superintendent Glenn De Caire, Central Field, Toronto Police Service.

For the next four weeks, youth will meet at York Memorial Collegiate Institute, collaborating with professional theatre, dance and music artists, including Chalmers Award Winning script-writer, Rex Deverell. They will participate in intensive workshops, covering hip-hop, rap, and script-development, learning to express their voices to make their communities safer.

"With support from the Toronto Police Service, Mixed Company Theatre has had the opportunity to connect with many community groups across Toronto, hearing the voices of those who have experienced gang violence. This new interactive performance incorporates these experiences, focusing on gang presence in our neighbourhoods and the pressures youth face finding social connection and identity,” remarked Simon Malbogat, Artistic Director, Mixed Company Theatre.

With the help of the Toronto Police Service, Mixed Company Theatre has been reaching out to young people through the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (TAVIS), the Youth in Policing Initiative and other community-based programs such as Project PEACE, Breaking the Cycle and L.O.V.E.. The end result, a forum theatre production addressing gang violence, will debut August 14 and August 16 at York Memorial CI. The presentation will tour to communities within 12 and 31 Divisions plus many more between August 17 – 21.

Mixed Company Theatre produces innovative, socially relevant drama as a tool to educate, engage and empower for positive change.

Morro and Jasp... DO PUBERTY... Again!

Morro and Jasp… DO PUBERTY… Again!

Toronto, July 20, 2009 – Mixed Company Theatre is excited to announce that loveable and laughable clowns, Morro and Jasp, have been chosen as Best of the Fringe!

Morro and Jasp have finally reached puberty. Written and Performed by Heather Marie Annis and Amy Lee, this hilarious show explores the trials and tribulations that we all went through, or are about to go through, in becoming a grown-up. Sixty minutes of laughter, longing, tears and tampons!

“Funny and touching, it’s a Fringe winner” - Jon Kaplan, NOW Magazine

“…a must-see of the Fringe” - Caroline Lock, Eye Weekly

WHEN: Wednesday July 22 7:00pm; Thursday July 23 9:00pm; Friday July 24 9:00pm; Saturday July 25 9:00pm

WHERE: The Berkeley Street Theatre - 26 Berkeley Street at Front Street

TICKETS: $16.50 - Info available at 416.368.3110 or www.canstage.com or http://fringetoronto.com/fringe09/bestoffringe.html

In partnership with Mixed Company Theatre, Morro and Jasp will also tour to elementary schools across Ontario this Fall as part of our Breaking the Cycle of Violence Program. In The Bully Show: CLOWN IN THE ROUND, the clowns interact with the audience through theatre in the round, inviting students to get involved and suggest their own approaches for dealing with bullies.

Mixed Company Theatre produces innovative, socially relevant drama as a tool to educate, engage and empower for positive change.