About Downstage
Downstage is a company dedicated to creating relevant, playful and innovative theatrical experiences while stoking a need for social growth. We are a small and mighty team of 4 staff members nestled into the Werklund Centre ecology as one of 5 resident companies.
CREATING NEW STRUCTURES
Downstage operates on stolen land and is a beneficiary of the colonial legacies of the region and industry it resides in. We are dedicated to dismantling the structures of white supremacy and colonialism which inform the ways we work with and alongside one another. Ceding power, ease, and access in favour of equity and justice is a constantly evolving practice.
OUR FULL SELVES
We invite people to bring their full selves in their interactions with us. Downstage wants to create work environments where every individual involved feels heard and respected. To accomplish this, we strive to meet the accessibility needs of every person who interacts with our company. We recognize that needs and perspectives can shift over time and as such, are committed to fostering environments where communication is ongoing.
HEALTH, WELLNESS AND DIGNITY
We aim to centre folks who are most directly impacted by systems of oppression because systems of oppression are omnipresent in and outside of our creative spaces. If we prioritize with this intentional effort to centre the health, wellness and dignity of those made most vulnerable by systems of oppression, we centre everyone’s health, wellness and dignity.
HOLDING COMPLEXITY
We engage with the complexities of both the issues we tackle, and the people impacted by said issues. In the process of art making, Downstage aims to never trivialize, reduce, or exploit any cause or identity.
DISRUPTING AND DISMANTLING HIERARCHIES OF POWER
Creating caring, inclusive, and accessible spaces means we are constantly working to dismantle hierarchies of power. We are receptive to change and are willing to be malleable to new, more equitable, ways of doing things.
ACCOUNTABILITY
We are accountable to one another, and are prepared to hold space for dissent and discomfort as it arises. In the event that mistakes are made or people are hurt, we will not act with the intent to penalize. The goal is to produce less harm, and we intend to navigate difficult circumstances with care and respect for the well being of all parties. We reject abuse of any kind, but believe that accountability and punishment are not one and the same.
Our Mandate
Our mandate is to produce theatre that creates meaningful conversation around current issues and encourages societal awareness and action.
Our Mission
Our mission is to engage artists and the public in theatrical experiences that go beyond intellectual understanding and ignite a heartfelt need for change.
Our Values
We value the health and well-being of people first, including our employees, artists, board, volunteers and community partners.
We have a strong focus on creating safe, inclusive and accessible spaces, welcoming people who are new to our theatres and our artistic processes.
We engage with the complexity of both the issues we tackle and the people impacted, and embolden the creative voices of all involved.
Artistic Milestones
The Strategy of War
by Mera Reyes
World Premiere Downstage Production
5 Betty Mitchell Award Nominations:
- Mera Reyes – Outstanding New Play
- Javier Vilalta – Outstanding Choreography
- Arturo Balanza Araya – Outstanding Sound Design and Composition
- Andy Moro – Outstanding Lighting Design
- Ruben Sanchez – Outstanding Costume Design
- Mera Reyes – Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy
Beautiful Man
by Erin Shields
Downstage, Handsome Alice and Verb Theatre Co-Production
SOLD OUT RUN!
Betty Mitchell Award Nomination: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble for Meg Farhall, Linda Kee, Katelyn Morishita, Joel David Taylor
The F Word
Created and performed by Bianca Miranda and Keshia Cheesman
World Premiere presented by Alberta Theatre Projects
A Downstage production in association with Handsome Alice and Theatre Calgary
- Betty Mitchell Award Nomination: Outstanding New Play for Bianca Miranda and Keshia Cheesman
The Green Line
by Makram Ayache
World Premiere Co-Produced by Chromatic Theatre and Downstage
AWARDS
- Outstanding New Play, 2022 Betty Mitchell Award for Makram Ayache
- Outstanding Performance in an Drama, 2022 Betty Mitchell Award for Filsan DualehBetty Mitchell Award Nominations: Outstanding Production of a Play (Chromatic & Downstage), Outstanding Direction (Jenna Rodgers)
Deer Woman
by Tara Beagan
Theatre Online version of Deer Woman created by ARTICLE 11 with generous support from Downstage
2021 DIGITAL TOUR
- National Arts Centre, Indigenous Theatre
- Kia Mau Festival
- Expanse Festival
2022 DIGITAL TOUR
- Prairie Theatre Exchange
Smoke
by Elena Belyea
World Premiere by Downstage
- Betty Mitchell Award Nominations: Outstanding New Play for Elena Belyea, Outstanding Production of a Play (Downstage), Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama (Chantelle Han), Outstanding Set Design (Anton De Groot)
Crime Does Not Pay
By David Rhymer and Kris Demeanor
World Premiere by Downstage and Forte Musical Theatre with the generous support of Hit & Myth Productions
AWARDS
- Outstanding Projection Design, 2017 Betty Mitchell Award for Amelia Scott with illustrations by Tyler Jenkins
- Outstanding Set Design, 2017 Betty Mitchell Award for Anton de Groot with Alison Yanota
- Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Comedy or Musical, 2017 Betty Mitchell Award for Jamie Konchak
- An additional six 2017 Betty Mitchell Award nominations: Outstanding Costume Design (Deitra Kalyn), Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Comedy or Musical (Devin MacKinnon), Outstanding New Play, Outstanding Composition, Outstanding Musical Direction, and Outstanding Production of a Musical
