THEATRE PASSE MURAILLE TO PRESENT THREE DIGITAL SHOWS THIS WINTER: “TPM & CHILL”
TORONTO, ON— Theatre Passe Muraille (TPM) presents plans for Winter Digital Programming, which will include the first two productions of #NavigatingTheNow, TPM’s 20.21 season, as well as a new ‘digital’ tour.
“When we started programming in the summer, we knew that continuing to create and support theatre would be incredibly challenging at this time. #NavigatingTheNow is the theme of TPM’s 20.21 season, which represents the organization’s vision to be flexible, adaptive and responsive to the rapid changes of the world. This has provided our partnering productions and artists the integrity to make necessary artistic decisions at the necessary time. We hope you can join us this winter!”
~ Artistic Director Marjorie Chan & Managing Director Régine Cadet
As we look to 2021, we’re delighted to provide details of our shows previously announced: 11:11 by Samson Bonkeabantu Brown and SPECULATION by Leslie Ting. Both shows will have a four-performance digital run, coming to you LIVE from Theatre Passe Muraille, to be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. As well, we announce the return of a beloved production, JOHN & WALEED by John Millard & Waleed Abdulhamid, being presented across Ontario through a digital ‘tour’.
Connectivity and our commitment to the community and to artists continue to be at the heart of our plans. The BUZZ program will continue to house the development of new worksthis winter including support for ERASED by Coleen MacPherson and FEAR OF MEN by Merlin Simard. Following the success of our first BOOK CLUB meetings, we will continue to meet online to discuss our list of riveting titles and will offer members the opportunity to connect over the themes of our season virtually.
As well, we will continue with our AMPLIFY project, highlighting board and staff-selected grassroots organizations doing great work in our communities. In March we will celebrate two years of experimenting and exploring alternative avenues of accessibility. Funded by the Toronto Arts Council Open Door project, our ACCESSIBILITY LABS were documented by videographer Kourtney Jackson, and we will release 7 Mini-documentaries about our projects.
Details on the rest of the season program will be announced at a later date.
11:11, Speculation Photo Credit | Peter Riddihough, John & Waleed Photo Credit | Dahlia Katz
Season Productions
11:11 BY SAMSON BONKEABANTU BROWN
February 10-13 at 7:30pm | A Theatre Passe Muraille Digital Production
Highly anticipated show, 11:11by Samson Bonkeabantu Brown explores the other side of fear through the eyes of a young, Black transman struggling to understand the ancestral messages saturating his dreams. One of the city’s most promising artists, playwright Samson Bonkeabantu Brown said about the show,
“The creative team for 11:11 is 3 Black South African men, 2 of which are also transmen. In what world does that happen? Who else could make that happen? Nobody else but my ancestors. 11:11 is not just a play. It is not just my story or my monodrama. As much as it is mine, it is also my ancestors, because I am my ancestors, and my ancestors are me. It is truly 2 stories in 1”.
11:11 will have four digital performances – one of which will be a return of TPM’s Black Out night, where TPM reserves a performance exclusively for Black audiences to enjoy.
All performance in the run will be Relaxed Performances and Closed Captioning will be provided on February 13th. Relaxed Performances are designed to welcome audience members and their families who could benefit from a more relaxed environment, including those on the autism spectrum. This will be Theatre Passe Muraille’s first Digital Relaxed Run and along with an introduction at the beginning of the show, digital supports will be provided for the audience. Closed Captioning will be available at the bottom of the screen for audience members who are Deaf or hard of hearing providing the audio in text form on the February 13th performance.
March 3-6, 7:30pm | A Theatre Passe Muraille and Leslie Ting Digital Co-Production in partnership with NUMUS
This interdisciplinary project presents the true story of professional violinist and former optometrist Leslie Ting. With monologue and the music of Beethoven and John Cage, Speculation brings audiences through her mother’s gradual loss of vision and eventual passing. This unique treatise on loss, is co-created by acclaimed blind multidisciplinary artist Alex Bulmer and artist Tristan Whiston.
“For me, Leslie’s former life as an optometrist reinforces her uniqueness as an artist. Having taken a non-traditional path to her art invariably means that her perspective and processes are wholly original interpretations. In a time of much grief, Leslie’s work touches us and asks us to share in this experience together.”
~ Marjorie Chan
Speculationwill have four digital performances, and all shows will be Relaxed Performances. ASL Interpretation will be available on March 5 & 6th by Deaf Interpreter Thurga Kanagasekarampillai.
January 31, February 1, 7:30pm | A Theatre Passe Muraille Digital Production
Following its success since 2017, John & Waleedcontinues to prove its relevance as it goes on digital tour to five cities across Ontario. Originally directed by Artistic Director Marjorie Chan in association with Cahoots Theatre, the show brings John Millard,a Toronto based composer, singer and songwriter from Kitchener, Ontario,and Waleed Adulhamid, a multi-instrumentalist and composer from Khartoum in the Sudan, together with open conversations and friendship. The two musicians weave traditional Canadian and Sudanese folk songs and their own compositions through a performance that explores their lives, traditions and journeys. John & Waleed offers a unique and personal experience on storytelling and cultural intersection. It is, from Sudan to Southern Ontario, a journey told through music.
The production will be presented digitally by The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts (Oakville), First Ontario Performing Arts (St. Catharines) and The Grand (Kingston), Public Energy Performing Arts (Peterborough) as well as The Rose (Brampton). More presenters will be announced.
“John & Waleed is more than just a show with music and storytelling about two friends. It can inspire and represent a way forward in tumultuous times. We not only identify with their camaraderie, and their friendship but we also desire to similarly act with respect for others that share our space. It makes us want to affirm: This is my Canada”
~ Marjorie Chan
Ticket Information
Updated December 15 Tickets are on sale now.This season we will not be offering subscriptions. Instead, Theatre Passe Muraille will be embracing the Pay-What-You-Can-Afford (PWYCA) model and offering single tickets at different price points. The ticket prices this season are: $5, $25, and $50.
In order to remove barriers in our pricing, we are offering three price points so that a wide range of audiences are able to attend our 20.21 Season. We encourage audiences to make their own choices about what they can afford in order to experience theatre. Those purchasing at the $50 price point will do so with the understanding that their ticket price is helping to subsidize the $5 ticket price, and in doing so, making theatre more accessible for others.
Covid-19 Protocols
We are operating with the utmost caution and with the best health and safety knowledge we currently have in order to bring theatre to our audiences. We have a set of safety protocols based on Public Health guidelines, which are informing our capacity and ability to have artists safely in our space to bring you digital work in your homes. Safety measures and health protocols, including masks, social distancing, and sanitation measures, are fully in effect and updated as precautions for COVID-19 evolve and change. Please see our websiteor contact us for details.
About TPM’s Community Initiatives
Community engagement is at the heart of how TPM sees its impact beyond the walls. Currently, there are two community initiatives: Book Club and AMPLIFY.Book Club sessions are held monthly and moderated by TPM staff. Registration is free and members will be reading and discussing five exciting titles inspired by the themes of our upcoming shows. As a theatre with a history of producing work by voices that might not otherwise be heard, AMPLIFY is a new community initiative that seeks to amplify the work of IBPOC-centred organizations through social media and marketing channels.
About Accessibility Labs
Over the past 2 years, TPM has had the opportunity to experiment on several innovative ways of providing accessibility. This incredible initiative was funded by Toronto Arts Council – Open Door funding. The Accessibility Labs saw us working with 9 different companies on 9 different projects that explored: American Sign Language and Captioning through Augmented Reality, In-Ear Translations, Integrated Audio Description, Tactile experiences for the Deaf community, and ASL-English communication via current technological tools both in person and remotely. The knowledge gained from these experiences has been documented by videographer Kourtney Jackson, which will be launched in March 2021. Stay tuned for details.
About Theatre Passe Muraille
Founded in 1968, TPM is Canada’s original alternative theatre company, currently developing and producing new Canadian plays. TPM is striving to articulate a distinct Canadian voice that reflects the complexity of our intercultural society. TPM believes there should be a more diverse representation of artists, audience members, and stories in our theatre. TPM aspires to be a leader locally, nationally and internationally in establishing, promoting, and embracing collaborative and inclusive theatre practices. We do this so that we can support and ignite the voices of unique artists, communities and audiences.
Media Contact
Emily Jung | Interim Marketing & Communications Manager | e: emilyj@passemuraille.on.ca | p: 416-504-8988 ext. 2172
www.passemuraille.ca|Instagram& Twitter@beyondwallsTPM | Facebook
Season Sponsor:
TD Bank Group
