Nina Lee Aquino News

FACTORY presents The Naked Season 2015/16CANADIAN CLASSICS REIMAGINED

Factory Artistic Director Nina Lee Aquino has invited five outstanding directors and champions of Canadian theatre to engage Toronto audiences with new, bold interpretations of six classic Canadian plays, stripped down to their most striking elements. Text, actors, audience - these are the fundamental building blocks for each production that will showcase the directors' visions for these Canadian classics, which should and must be experienced again.

Young People's Theatre is thrilled to announce the playbill for its 2015/16 50th Anniversary Season, a milestone marked by the return of beloved audience favourites, re-imagined classics and innovative new work, each a testament to YPT founder Susan Rubes's statement: Only the best is good enough for children.

In an instant, electricity all over the world stops flowing and humanity is left in the dark. Factory and Native Earth Performing Arts present the Toronto premiere of THE UNPLUGGING by Yvette Nolan, directed by Nina Lee Aquino, and winner of the 2013 Jessie Award for Outstanding New Play (Vancouver). The show stars two veterans of the Toronto theatre community, Diana Belshaw and Allegra Fulton, and features newcomer Umed Amin. The production will play on stage at Factory from tonight, March 14 - April 5, 2015.

In an instant, electricity all over the world stops flowing and humanity is left in the dark. Factory and Native Earth Performing Arts present the Toronto premiere of THE UNPLUGGING by Yvette Nolan, directed by Nina Lee Aquino, and winner of the 2013 Jessie Award for Outstanding New Play (Vancouver). The show stars two veterans of the Toronto theatre community, Diana Belshaw and Allegra Fulton, and features newcomer Umed Amin. The production will play on stage at Factory from March 14 - April 5, 2015.

e Co-Artistic Director's Nina Lee Aquino and Nigel Shawn Williams, and Managing Director, Sara Meurling present the 45th season of Factory Theatre consisting of five Factory premieres: THE ART OF BUILDING A BUNKER, written by Adam Lazarus and Guillermo Verdecchia; TAKE ME BACK TO JEFFERSON an adaptation of William Faulkner's AS I LAY DYING by Dean Gilmour and Michele Smith in collaboration with the company; TWISTED, written by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman and Joseph Jomo Pierre; THE UNPLUGGING written by Yvette Nolan; MORRO AND JASP: 9-5, created and performed by Morro and Jasp; and as a special add-on to the subscription season, the return of THE DAISY THEATRE, created and performed by Ronnie Burkett. BMO Financial Group returns as the 2014-15 45th Season Sponsor.

The 35th Anniversary Dora Mavor Moore Awards for the 2013/2014 season were handed out in a star-studded ceremony in Toronto on the evening of Monday, June 23 at Harbourfront Centre's WestJet Stage, hosted by the hilarious Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus, Second City alumni and founding members of the National Theatre of the World.

It was an incredible night for Toronto theatre when our community joined together to celebrate another year of performing arts in Toronto on June 23rd at the WestJet Stage at the Harbourfront Centre. For the 2013-2014 season, 143 producing companies (up 41 from last season's 102) registered eligible productions. A total of 48 Dora Awards, plus the Silver Ticket Award and the Audience Choice Award, were given out in a glittering ceremony hosted by Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus, founding Co-Artistic Directors of the three-time Canadian Comedy Award-winning The National Theatre of the World.

e Co-Artistic Director's Nina Lee Aquino and Nigel Shawn Williams, and Managing Director, Sara Meurling present the 45th season of Factory Theatre consisting of five Factory premieres: THE ART OF BUILDING A BUNKER, written by Adam Lazarus and Guillermo Verdecchia; TAKE ME BACK TO JEFFERSON an adaptation of William Faulkner's AS I LAY DYING by Dean Gilmour and Michele Smith in collaboration with the company; TWISTED, written by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman and Joseph Jomo Pierre; THE UNPLUGGING written by Yvette Nolan; MORRO AND JASP: 9-5, created and performed by Morro and Jasp; and as a special add-on to the subscription season, the return of THE DAISY THEATRE, created and performed by Ronnie Burkett. BMO Financial Group returns as the 2014-15 45th Season Sponsor.

Sultans of the Street, written by Anusree Roy and directed by Nina Lee Aquino, stars Colin Doyle, Mina James, Richard Lee, Ali Momen and Zorana Sadiq. Set & Costume Design is by Camellia Koo; Lighting Design by Michelle Ramsay; Sound Design by Michelle Bensimon; and Dramaturgy by Stephen Colella.

Young People's Theatre is proud to present Paper Song and the world premiere of Sultans of the Street in the coming months.

Young People's Theatre will present the world premiere of acclaimed playwright Anusree Roy's latest offering, Sultans of the Street. Directed by Nina Lee Aquino, this poignant and uplifting tale will be presented on the Mainstage from April 28 to May 15, opening on May 1.

6 Essential Questions by Priscila Uppal challenges the belief that everyone loves their Mother, and Mothers love their children unconditionally. But is this always the case? The character of Renata grapples with these issues in 6 Essential Questions based on Priscilla Uppal's experience reuniting with her mother after 20 years. These questions and more will be discussed in a 6 Essential Questions Panel Discussion 'What Makes a Mother?' on Thursday, March 20, from 6:30 to 7:30pm, followed by a performance of the show.

Young People's Theatre will present the world premiere of acclaimed playwright Anusree Roy's latest offering, Sultans of the Street. Directed by Nina Lee Aquino, this poignant and uplifting tale will be presented on the Mainstage from April 28 to May 15, opening on May 1

Tarragon Theatre presents the world premiere of carried away on the crest of a wave, written by acclaimed playwright-in-residence David Yee. This moving exploration of the effects of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami opens tonight, April 24 and runs to May 26, 2013 in Tarragon's Mainspace.

Tarragon Theatre proudly presents the world premiere of carried away on the crest of a wave, written by acclaimed playwright-in-residence David Yee. This moving exploration of the effects of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami previews from April 16, opens April 24 and runs to May 26, 2013 in Tarragon's Mainspace (with previews beginning April 16). Tickets range from $27-$53 (inclusive of HST) and are available by calling the box office at 416.531.1827 or by visiting www.tarragontheatre.com.

Nina Lee Aquino has a very commendable vision - she wants to see more diversity in our world's theatres (and more specifically, here on Toronto stages). To that end, she has spent many years championing diversity in the arts and her upcoming show 'Every Letter Counts' is no exception. The play is a re-imagining of the life of an important political icon from the Philippines, Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino. She sat down with BWW to talk about her journey with EVERY LETTER COUNTS, her focus on diversity in the arts and her 'retirement performance' in Les Miserables.

Tarragon Theatre announces its 11-play, 2012-2013 season of contemporary plays, including a mini-festival of new works by Hannah Moscovitch; a Tarragon writing debut from David Yee; returning artists David S. Young and Asha and Ravi Jain; and work from Melody A. Johnson, John Mighton, Michel Nadeau and Morris Panych.

Other People had a starry opening night last Thursday at The Young Centre for the Performing Arts, where many stars of Canadian film and TV came out in support of the young cast and their ambitious project. BWW is thrilled to bring readers these photos from the after-party.

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.