I’m Marc Chalifoux and I am the new Chair of the Board of Directors of Against the Grain Theatre. I am reaching out to introduce myself and ask for your help.

I became involved with the company by emailing them after seeing Orphée+ in April 2018. I had just moved back from New York City and was looking to get involved in the arts community. Something about Against the Grain really resonated with me – not just beautiful music, but a clear sense that this was a company that was rethinking what opera should be in today’s world – relevant, innovative, world-class.  

I joined the Board in January 2019 and have recently been selected as its new Chair. Needless to say, it’s a strange time to become Chair of a small arts organization.

Our first vote as a Board was to cancel Bound, an original production that we had been working on for 3 years. Though we were losing out on tens of thousands of dollars in ticket sales, we compensated our artists a majority of their fees, because there can be no Against the Grain without them.

And now we face several months of empty theatres. Against the Grain Theatre will be back on stage, but until then, we need your help. Please donate to support our work (all donations are eligible for a tax receipt). You have my commitment as Chair that we will use this time wisely to become a more vibrant and creative opera company. We have great plans for next season and beyond.

Until then, get your fix of great opera with a live stream of La Bohème filmed in Toronto as part of our first national tour this Fall or listen to our first (Juno-nominated) album, Ayre.

Photo: Marc Chalifoux. © 2020 Darryl Block.