Stage Door News
Stage Door News
On May 28th and 29th, 2016 the Bad Dog Theatre Company will kick off the 2016 COMBUSTIONfestival by hosting the first edition of a conference which will enable the further development of diversity and inclusivity initiatives in Toronto improv companies. Bad Dog will curate a series of workshops, presentations and discussion panels led by diversity and inclusivity thought-leaders - from within the unscripted comedy sector as well as neighbouring artforms facing similar challenges - to advise and engage participants on industry-specific issues.
Over the last three years Bad Dog’s core administrative team and board members have taken steps to increase the company’s internal diversity. The result is a team of decision-makers who are eager to see a multitude of voices on the Bad Dog stage. Under the company’s mandate to “elevate the artform”, Bad Dog looks not only to increase the accessibility of its own programming, but to share its findings to increase sectoral growth. The Bad Dog Comedy Theatre acts as a hub for thousands of improv performers, students and audience members each year, and as such the company is uniquely positioned to host this monumental conference.
The Symposium focuses on two major outcomes:
•address issues specific to the comedy community and art form of unscripted theatre in Toronto by sharing resources & knowledge with like organizations from other cities
•development of innovative inclusivity models that will result in increased representation of minority voices on comedy stages and artistic environments
SATURDAY, MAY 28: PUBLIC SYMPOSIUM
The Our Cities On Our Stages public workshop and discussion series will take place on Saturday, May 29 from 9:30am to 4:30pm at the Bad Dog Comedy Theatre. Guest speakers, workshop leaders and collaborators include Marina Mastros (Inclusion Initiative Director at Sidestage Improv, San Diego), Keisha Zollar (formerly the Diversity Coordinator at the Upright Citizens’ Brigade Theater, New York), David Donnella (Diversity Coordinator and Class Registrar, Philly Improv Theater), Ify Chiwetelu (Our Cities on Our Stages Coordinator), Nelu Handa (Bad Dog Diversity Chair & producer of Yas Kween), Alsa Bruno & John Gebretatose (Directors/producers of the Black and Funny Improv Festival, Minneapolis), Anand Rajaram (Creator of the Dishoom! South Asian Performance Festival), Blind Tiger Comedy (Vancouver), The Making Box (Guelph) and more.
Open to improv students, performers, instructors, and/or arts administrators, the Our Cities on Our Stages Symposium seeks to create a dialogue about existing diversity and inclusion issues while looking forward to possible healthy futures.
Full workshop and panel schedule to follow in early May. Tickets also get participants admission to one of of Theatresports (featuring conference presenters) at 8PM or The Curator featuring Anand Rajaram at 9:30PM, as well as the post-symposium mixer!
SUNDAY, MAY 29: INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS WORKSHOPS
While conversation around concerns about a lack of diversity and inclusion on our comedy stages is not new, we believe that our artform is at a critical crossroad. In order to move beyond past models and initiatives that have not yet resulted in the outcomes we are hoping to see, we believe that expanding the scope of the dialogue in the ways proposed by this project will foster professional growth that will allow our sector to engage Toronto audiences and artists in a more meaningful and relevant way. The opportunity to share resources in a setting that incorporates not only dialogue, but also practical workshop components, with like companies from other markets has the potential to be transformational in our approach to diversity and inclusivity initiatives in our own artistic community.
The Our Cities on Our Stages conference will create a network of forward-thinking comedy theatre companies who want to see real, sustainable change. The conference will address barriers to access from multiple angles, creating innovative operational practises that are suitable for a variety of theatre sizes and structures. Many current models for inclusion have resulted in tokenistic casting or showcases of minority groups. These are not true models for change: they do not address the barriers to access (societal prejudice, cultural norms, financial obstacles, and physical access among them) that make it impossible for members of marginalized communities to enter the unscripted comedy scene.
Information on best practises gathered at the conference will then inform year-long programming initiatives at each of the collaborators’ home theatres.
Pricing
Earybird Pricing: $15 until May 9
Students $20, General $25 following May 9
Please note that no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
If you are in need of a subsidized ticket, please email lisa@baddogtheatre.com
Accessibility
Bad Dog Comedy Theatre is located on the second story store-front on Bloor, which is reached by a 20-step staircase. This staircase entrance greatly reduces our venue's accessibility. However, we have been able to carry some devices, such as wheelchairs, up these stairs. If you require accommodation for entry and seating please email boxoffice@baddogtheatre.com & we can further discuss our options. Please note that our washrooms are not wheelchair accessible.
Accommodations
Please contact us should you require any specific accommodations in order to be able to participate. We are keen to explore all available avenues to welcome interested participants.
Tickets & More Info
www.baddogtheatre.com/our-cities-on-our-stages
2016-04-19
Toronto: Bad Dog Theatre Company presents "Our Cities on Our Stages Symposium" May 28-29