Andrew Kushnir News

Five years in development, 'Small Axe' is a compelling, timely, provocative and inspiring new piece of Verbatim Theatre now playing at the Theatre Centre. It is presented by The Theatre Centre and Project: Humanity (PH). Founded in 2008, PH calls itself 'a non-profit organization raising awareness of social issues through the arts.' It reunites actor/writer Andrew Kushnir and director Alan Dilworth, who previously collaborated in 2010 on PH's 'The Middle Place,' a successful play about Toronto's homeless youth. Premiered at SummerWorks, it was restaged as a coproduction of Theatre Passe Muraille, Canadian Stage and PH.

It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Toronto Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!

Time is ticking on your last chance to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Toronto Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 19th. Voting closes at the end of the year!

In January The Theatre Centre and Project: Humanity present Small Axe, a new piece of documentary theatre that brings to the stage stories of lesbian, gay and transgender (LGBT) people of colour from Jamaica and the Jamaican-Canadian Diaspora. Their voices, alongside the voice of playwright Andrew Kushnir, contribute to an unflinching and timely exploration of what it means for a white queer artist to engage with injustice in a black community. Investigating homophobia and racism, intersectionality and privilege, Small Axe is on stage Jan. 17 to Feb. 1 at The Theatre Centre (1115 Queen St. W.).

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Toronto Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Toronto Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Toronto Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of November 25th.

I am pleased to announce the nominees for the 2014 BroadwayWorld Toronto Regional Awards. The response this year from Toronto's theatre community and fans has been incredible. The BroadwayWorld Awards are an award decided by the fans - from nominations all the way to selecting the final winner.

The Theatre Centre and Project: Humanity will present the world premiere of Small Axe, a piece of documentary theatre led by playwright/performer Andrew Kushnir and director Alan Dilworth. In development since 2011 as part of The Theatre Centre's Residency Program, Small Axe looks at the experiences of lesbian and gay people of colour from Jamaica and the Jamaican-Canadian diaspora, while investigating the intersection of homophobia and racism and what it means to put oneself at the centre of this dynamic. Featuring Sarah Afful, Michael Blake, Lisa Codrington, Chy Ryan Spain, Marcel Stewart and Kushnir, Small Axe will be on stage Jan. 17 to Feb. 1 at The Theatre Centre (1115 Queen St. W.).

The Theatre Centre, with Philip McKee and Tanja Jacobs, present the world premiere of Bloody Family, a radical adaptation of the ancient Greek tragedy The Oresteia from today, Sept. 26 to Oct. 5.

Returning to the Buddies stage this Fall, the critically-acclaimed cabaret artist Ryan G. Hinds begins a season-long Residency at Buddies in Bad Times, under the musical direction of Mark Selby. Fabulously exploring everything from Disney villains to Aznavour chansons, Grace Jones tangos, Roy Orbison ballads and the theatre music of Kander & Ebb, this Residency promises grit, glitter, and laughter along with introspection in an intimate venue. For the first time, Hinds? distinctly diva style will be backed by a trio of musicians: Selby on piano, Ross McIntyre on bass and Julian Clarke on percussion.

The Theatre Centre, with Philip McKee and Tanja Jacobs, present the world premiere of Bloody Family, a radical adaptation of the ancient Greek tragedy The Oresteia from Sept. 26 to Oct. 5. Created and performed by McKee and Jacobs with collaborators Rose Plotek and Ishan Dave, the play also features Norah Sadava in a re-imagining of the tragic trilogy that connects this classical work with contemporary performance - a story of a family ripped apart by idealism.

Studio 180 is proud to present the Canadian premiere of Cock, an award-winning and acclaimed comedy by British playwright Mike Bartlett. Cock not only introduces Toronto audiences to one of the most exciting new voices in English-language theatre, but also to Studio 180's new home base - The Theatre Centre's brand new facility at 1115 Queen Street West, Toronto.

Studio 180 is proud to present the Canadian premiere of Cock, an award-winning and acclaimed comedy by British playwright Mike Bartlett. Cock not only introduces Toronto audiences to one of the most exciting new voices in English-language theatre, but also to Studio 180's new home base - The Theatre Centre's brand new facility at 1115 Queen Street West, Toronto.

Ten years ago, Studio 180 burst onto the Toronto theatre scene with the Canadian premiere of THE LARAMIE PROJECT, a groundbreaking play in the form of a theatrical docudrama that perfectly defined the kind of theatre the founders of Studio 180 wanted to create: socially relevant, thought-provoking, and committed to community engagement. That was the very beginning of the company that is now considered one of the city's most vibrant and dynamic.

Acting Up Stage Company - Toronto's premiere not-for-profit musical theatre - announced its ninth season today. The season includes the new musical DO YOU WANT WHAT I HAVE GOT? A CRAIGSLIST CANTATA, FALSETTOS and more.

On June 27th Toronto celebrated the 32nd Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards which honour excellence in Canada theatre. BWW was on hand for the complete event, including the VIP reception where nominees mingled with sponsors and patrons, the award show itself and of course, the happening after-party which shut down Front St for most of the night. We are thrilled to bring you exclusive coverage of the entire night.

At a press conference held June 7 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) announced 171 nominations for 197 eligible productions that opened between June 1, 2010 and May 31, 2011 for the 32nd annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards which honour excellence in the performing arts in Toronto.

Canadian Stage unveiled its highly anticipated 2010-2011 season today, marking the first season programmed by Artistic & General Director Matthew Jocelyn. The season heralds a bold, new direction for the company. Jocelyn seeks to redefine Canadian Stage as a centre for national and international multi-disciplinary theatre that pushes boundaries, adopts a 21st-century perspective and reflects Toronto's cultural diversity. The work will be driven by directors and auteurs at the forefront of contemporary theatre and audiences will have the opportunity to discover a new generation of story-tellers who challenge and entertain.

Following a successful run in 2010 at Theatre Passe Muraille, Canadian Stage is pleased to present the premiere of Project: Humanity's The Middle Place from February 14 to March 12 in the Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs (26 Berkeley Street).