November 25-28th, 2021
After a year-long shutdown, our staff came together to explore the new possibilities of our venue. What do we do collectively in the theatre that makes the experience so special? How can a theatre become a space of healing? What is it about this venue that we love, that we want the community to experience as well? What does it mean to return and to re-open?
In anticipation of the theatre reopening we present Beyond Walls — a staff led initiative to welcome our community back inside the theatre, and to re-physicalize and reconnect with the space! Each 1 hour programs are curated and facilitated by TPM staff.
There will not be more than 25 people in the venue at once, so if you are someone who is uncomfortable to return to live theatre, but really miss being in the venue, we hope this provides a safe space for you. We will also have different coloured bracelets that you can wear to indicate your comfort level with interactions. *Make sure to read our Covid-19 protocols before signing up!
psst. You may get a sneak peek of our upcoming shows when you come by for Beyond Walls!
Schedule of events
All programs will take place at Theatre Passe Muraille (16 Ryerson Avenue, Toronto)
November 25-26 | Move with us!
As we open our doors again, join Indrit, Régine, Cody, and Angela as we reintroduce our bodies to our theatre space. Audiences are invited to join in or observe dancers Shay Erlich, Mafa Makhubalo, and Mio Sakamoto as we softly groove to low-impact, repetitive movements set to live music by Charlie Petch. The movement and the music is an opportunity to connect our spirit worlds and synchronize our bodies, minds, and spirits as we move closer towards feeling like a whole community again.
– A total of 4 sessions are available each day. Each session will be 45 min long and there will be a maximum of 10 participants per session.
– ASL Interpretation will be available in-person for November 26, 7pm EST
– There will be chairs available in the space for breaks and/or observation.
– Please note: a photographer will be on site on November 26, 5pm EST
November 27 | Rest at the theatre
Come relax with Angela and Jenn. Our space will be transformed into a cozy place of rest and relaxation with warm blankets, drinks, and stress balls to gently welcome you back into our theatre. Unwind at our arts & crafts table or take part in our series of low-intensive programming throughout the day including an exploration of artist Anna Camilleri’s hand-made tactile books from May I Take Your Arm?, a pre-recorded meditation from artist Derek Kwan, and a special chair yoga session with The Villij.
– A total of 4 sessions are available. Each session will be 45 min long and there will be a maximum of 10 participants per session.
– ASL Interpretation will be available in-person for November 27, 7pm EST
November 28 | A day of listening
Artist Tristan Whiston helps bring the theatre to life with audio, created from the sounds from May I Take Your Arm?, which was part of our 20.21 season. Close your eyes and you’ll be able to catch more sounds of the venue itself — the silence that we’d collectively hear just moments before the show begin, the ambience of it all.
– A total of 4 sessions are available. Each session will be 45 min long and there will be a maximum of 15 participants per session.
– Transcription of the audio will be available on a loose leaf paper
Leave your mark
When you sign up for any of the Beyond Walls sessions, you will be invited to physically leave a mark within the walls of our Mainspace theatre seating risers.
Through this project we wanted to offer the community a chance to — quite literally — make their mark that will stay with us for years to come. Once the project is complete your signatures will be covered up and remain safe, representing this moment in time and be a part of Theatre Passe Muraille’s ongoing history. Markers will be provided but feel free to bring your own for an extra splash of creativity.
Covid-19 Protocols
All participants including the artists, staff, and audience members will be required to show a proof of vaccination, a piece of government issued identification, and wear a mask at all times when indoors.
Accessibility
All sessions are relaxed sessions. If this is your first in-person program, it can feel overwhelming! Throughout all the sessions, a relaxed space will be provided for anyone who is feeling anxious or experiencing sensory overload.
ASL Interpretation will be available for 2 sessions, 7pm EST on November 26th and on November 27th. If you would like to request accessibility accommodations to a specific program, please reach out to Emily Jung at emilyj@passemuraille.on.ca.
How to get here
Parking
There is limited street parking available around the theatre. Paid parking lots are located on Richmond Street, just West of Portland (underground – below Loblaws) and at the corner of Wolseley Street and Augusta Ave.
TTC
By TTC from Osgoode Station: Take the Queen Street car West to Bathurst Street. Walk back one block East on Queen to Ryerson Avenue. Then walk North on Ryerson one block.
By TTC from Bathurst Station: Take the Bathurst Street car South to Queen Street. Walk East on Queen one block to Ryerson Avenue. Then walk North on Ryerson one block.
Bike
To the West of the theatre on Wolseley, there is free bike parking.