Firehall Arts Centre Honoured with the 2016 International Centre for Women Playwrights 50/50 Applause Award

Artistic Producer, Donna Spencer is pleased to announce the Firehall Arts Centre has been named a recipient of the 2016 International Centre for Women Playwrights (ICWP) 50/50 Applause Award. Celebrating gender parity on five continents, the ICWP 50/50 Applause Award recognizes theatres that produced 50% or more female playwrights in their 2015/16 season of shows.

A Canadian cultural hot spot in the heart of the Downtown Eastside, the Firehall Arts Centre is among 107 theatres in ten countries and five continents breaking records on all fronts for this award and is thrilled to be on such a prestigious, international list, which includes theatres in Australia, England, Italy, Kenya, the Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, Switzerland, the United States, and Canada.

"It's wonderful to be recognized by this international body of peers and to be in such great company," says Spencer. "The Firehall has always been committed to inclusive, progressive programming and we are delighted to be acknowledged for that work."

Throughout its 2015/2016 season, the Firehall Arts Centre's production of Chelsea Hotel: The Songs of Leonard Cohen, conceived by Tracey Power, completed a 111-performance tour to sold out audiences across Canada; Trish Cooper's heart-moving drama, Social Studies, saw theatregoers moved to tears as they gained a greater understanding of how difficult it can be to immigrate to Canada from a war-torn country; and Shameless Hussy's production of Meghan Gardiner's Love Bomb along with Twenty Something Theatre's production of Julie McIsaac's The Out Vigil and Alley Theatre's production of Hannah Moscovitch's Little One intrigued and entertained audiences.

For more information on the Firehall Arts Centre and its 2016/2017 season, please visit the following platforms:

Web: www.firehallartscentre.ca

Facebook: www.facebook.com/firehallartscentre

Twitter: www.twitter.com/FirehallArtsCte