by Luke Reece
WORLD PREMIERE | A Theatre Passe Muraille and Modern Times Stage Co-Production
Collage and poster design by Emily Jung | Pictured: Luke Reece
“This is the story As I Must Live It.”
As I Must Live It is a funny, endearing, and thought-provoking new work from award-winning spoken word artist Luke Reece. Through poetic storytelling touching on everything from antagonistic squirrels to Chris Pratt’s abs, Reece shares his experiences growing up with a mentally-ill father in a mixed-race family. Featuring Reece’s signature deft wordplay, with the direction of internationally acclaimed audience-specific practitioner Daniele Bartolini and stunning projections from one of the UK’s leading immersive production design companies, Limbic Cinema. As I Must Live It brings the page to the stage for an intimate and pun-filled event.
Show Dates
February 11th – March 2nd, 2024
Running Time: 80-90 minutes
Please note the show will be filmed on February 23rd and 24th
Accessibility
Location
Theatre Passe Muraille (16 Ryerson Avenue)
Tickets
Pay-What-You-Can-Afford
$12 | $35 | $65
Flash and video motion warning. The immersive installation includes prominent sound, light and video projection directly on the audience. May not be recommended for individuals experiencing motion sickness and those sensitive to light and sound. Also includes water based haze & audience on stage with actor.
Mention of suicidal ideation, mental illness, and grief.
Masks are still strongly encouraged inside the TPM building. There will be select “Mask Mandatory” Performances for this production which are listed below:
*Sat Feb 17th, 8:00PM
*Sun Feb 25th, 4:30PM
*Fri Mar 1st, 8:00PM
For more information please take a look at our COVID-19 Protocols
If you would like information on the topics or themes in our productions, or to determine the suggested age for attending a performance, please reach out to our Box Office staff at 416.504.7529 or by email at info@passemuraille.on.ca.
Read the Digital Program
Credits
Written and Performed by
Luke Reece
Dramaturge and Director
Daniele Bartolini
Assistant Director
Mahsa Ershadifar
Dramaturge
Indrit Kasapi
Stage Manager
Lighting Designer
Sarah Mansikka
Set & Costume Designer
Jackie Chau
Sound Designer
Adrian Bent
Sound Consultant
Miquelon Rodriguez
Projection Designers
Barret Hodgson & Thom Buttery
Modern Times Stage creates original Canadian art, reimagines classic work, and adapts plays in different languages and contexts to bring holistic and innovative forms to our contemporary and diverse Toronto audiences. We are committed to exploring, imagining and creating exciting, radical, performing arts in Toronto, while empowering voices that have been historically and presently marginalized – focusing on artists who have immigrated or sought asylum in Canada.
Modern Times is the only Toronto-based Theatre company that prioritizes empowering immigrants, newcomers and refugees as part of our core mandate.
Modern Times Stage Team:
Artistic Director | Rouvan Silogix
Artistic Producer & Company Manager | Steph Crothers
Associate Artist and Producer | Mahsa Ershadifar
Marketing Manager | Jennifer Otter-Leaney
Bookkeeper | Gia Nahmens
Luke Reece is an award-winning poet, playwright and producer who strives to share authentic and engaging stories with audiences through his work. Luke is the Associate Artistic Director at Soulpepper Theatre, one of Canada’s leading non-profit theatre companies. Through his work as an artistic leader within the national arts community, he advocates for entertaining and nuanced storytelling that challenges Canadian audiences. In 2021 Luke was included in York University’s Top 30 Changemakers Under 30 list. He is one of Toronto’s most decorated slam poets, and his body of work includes a radio play, animated short, and a praised short film featured on CBC titled ‘Notice’. Luke has represented Canada on the world stage of Slam Poetry, and was also featured by NBA Champion and former Toronto Raptor Serge Ibaka on his Instagram Talent Show, ‘How Talented Are You?’.
Limbic Cinema is an award-winning multimedia creative studio based in Bristol. Utilising cutting-edge tools and immersive technology to transform spaces and transport audiences. The studio creates mesmerising, meaningful, and memorable encounters that empower people through the use of light, sound, and moving image. Recent work featured at Video Mapping Festival, Lille (2023), Glastonbury Festival (2023), Edinburgh Fringe (2023), Sundance Film Festival (2021), Vivid Sydney (2021).
To schedule an interview with the artist, or staff members at Theatre Passe Muraille regarding this production, please email Red Eye Media at Suzanne@redeyemedia.ca. We will try out best to accommodate your media requests, however they are not guaranteed.
The TPM Book Club meets online monthly to discuss books – selected in collaboration with our artists – that spark a deeper conversation on the themes of our current season. Sign-up for our virtual book club here.
The “Prelude” is our annual series of community events inspired by the productions in our current season. For As I Must Live It, we will be hosting an in-person pre-show panel on Black masculinity and mental health moderated by artist Luke Reece.
Before the performance of As I Must Live It on Sunday February 18th, join Luke and mental health advocate Asante Haughton and artist/ consultant Kais Padamshi for an intimate discussion on how the things we have to hide in order to survive can impact our mental health, and how we can better support Black boys and men on their mental health journeys.
This FREE event will take place in the TPM Backspace on Sunday February 18th at 2:30 PM. Register here.
If you have any questions about our community programs, please contact our Community Engagement Coordinator Angela by emailing outreach@passemuraille.on.ca or by calling 416-504-8980 (ext. 2140).