In celebration of the launch of its second season under the artistic leadership of Sophie Ann Rooney and executive direction of Grisha Pasternak, The King Black Box is pleased to announce the continuation of its Complimentary Tickets for Indigenous Patrons program. First introduced in May 2024, the initiative will extend into the 2025–26 season, with two complimentary tickets available for Indigenous patrons at each performance. 

During its inaugural season, the program successfully distributed a significant number of tickets, while TKBB’s Charity Previews: The Glory of Living and Girls Unwanted responded directly to urgent local issues. The Glory of Living was programmed during Ontario’s declared IPV epidemic, and Girls Unwanted was staged to highlight the defunding of halfway homes in Toronto. Proceeds supported The Assaulted Women’s Helpline and Street Haven at the Crossroads, supporting women who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. In addition, The King Black Box has introduced an accessible ticket tier: $25 Wednesdays for Arts Workers, Students, and Seniors. 

Led by artists, with a clear commitment to creative autonomy and long-term sustainability. To date, the theatre house has operated without reliance on government grants, private donors, or angel investors. As we continue to grow, we are actively laying the foundation for future investment and philanthropic partnerships that align with our values. Our focus remains on building something enduring with artistic integrity, discipline, and vision at its core.

“So much of our mission at The King Black Box is about creating space for truth, however difficult that truth may be. When you work closely with survivors, community workers, and even concerned parents, you begin to understand just how urgently we need stories that name what’s happening beneath the surface. For me, the role of Artistic Director isn’t just about programming; it’s about protection, it’s about connection, and it’s about refusing to look away,” said Sophie Ann Rooney, Artistic Director of The King Black Box.

“We’ve seen firsthand how access can change someone’s path, how a single performance can spark a conversation that was too hard to start at home, in school, or even in the mirror. By removing financial barriers and centering voices too often silenced, we aim to meet our audiences where they are, and bring them somewhere deeper. We’re thrilled to announce the first two productions of our season: Romeo Pimp and Bug, and we’re equally proud to support the development of new work through dramaturgical partnerships with Soldiers In The Arts and a forthcoming play by Carleigh Beverly, with dramaturgy by Diane Flacks, slated for 2026, ” said Grisha Pasternak, Executive Director.

The King Black Box is a proudly independent Toronto theatre company and proud member of TAPA (Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts).

THE KING BLACK BOX PROGRAM

ROMEO PIMP SEPTEMBER 17 TO OCTOBER 5, 2025 - CHARITY PREVIEW SEPTEMBER 14

WORLD PREMIERE

A high school senior’s life transforms when she falls in love for the first time, but as Jamie’s world expands, so does the distance between the life she’s always known and the life she's being pulled into.

In Romeo Pimp, a new play by Jesse McQueen, a high school senior’s life turns upside down when she falls in love for the first time with Ryan, a boy from a neighboring school. Sparks fly as Jamie finally feels seen, wanted, and chosen. As their relationship deepens, she begins to drift from her family, her best friend, and her former self. What begins as a love story unravels into a haunting examination of identity, intimacy, and the invisible thresholds that separate freedom from control.

ROMEO PIMP by Jesse McQueen receives its Toronto and world premiere at The King Black Box (Sophie Ann Rooney, Artistic Director; Grisha Pasternak, Executive Director) on September 17th, 2025 Led by The King Black Box in partnership with One East Productions (Jesse McQueen, Playwright; Jack Creaghan, Producer), and is directed by Sophie Ann Rooney, with production design by Sophie Ann Rooney and Sound Design by Jeff Styga. Intimacy & Movement Coordinator (IDC) Lizzie Moffatt and Dramaturgy Consultant Ferron Delcy. The Production Stage Manager is Cayne Kitagawa with Production Managers Grisha Pasternak (TKBB) & Jack Creaghan (1 EAST).

THE KING BLACK BOX

ROMEO PIMP

The cast is as follows:

CHARLOTTE SALISBURY as JAMIE

AGAPE MNGOMEZULU as RYAN

ATHENA KAITLIN TRINH* as PAIGE

SAM WEXLER as SHANE

JULIETTE DIODATI as MICHAELA

BRENNAN BIELEFELD as CONNOR

JESSE McQUEEN as LISA

JACK CREAGHAN as MR. TREMBLAY

With understudy Cayne Kitagawa performing as Ryan on Sunday,

thekingblackbox.com

September 28th and Thursday, October 2nd.

*CAEA Equity Members

Arts Worker/Student/ Senior Wednesdays: $25

General Admission (Thurs–Sun):

7:30PM DOORS/ 8PM SHOWS

Week One: $40

Week Two: $43

Week Three: $46

Discretion is advised. Audience members are encouraged to care for their own well-being and review the content disclosure on the website (contains spoliers).

Recommended Rating: Ages 16+ Viewer/Parental Discretion Advised.

Jesse McQueen is a Toronto-based writer and actor. She holds an honours dual degree in Psychology and English language & literature from Western University, and she is an alumnus of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting conservatory in New York City. She is a two-time Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference finalist with her last full-length play 36 Juniper, which premiered in New York City and was nominated for Outstanding Premiere Production of a Play at the 15th annual New York Innovative Theater Awards. She has written several award-winning short films that have screened at festivals throughout North America and the UK.