MEDIA RELEASE

October 28, 2021

OTF’s Support Leads to New Virtual Model for Live Audience Engagement

Toronto, ON – In 2021, Mixed Company Theatre (MCT) revolutionized community engagement by developing a unique virtual model for theatre-based learning thanks to a $32,800 Resilient Communities Fund grant it received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) late last year. The funding enabled the company to create and deliver innovative virtual Forum Theatre programming for schools, communities, and workplace professionals between January and September, 2021. This new digital model will be used in their next season of programs and will be published in a handbook shared with participants of the company’s professional development workshops. 

“I am thrilled that Mixed Company received this critical funding to deliver high-quality digital trainings to the live theatre community during a very difficult time for the sector. People are always hungry to see themselves and their communities represented in art, so training in this interactive theatre form came at the perfect time — when many were feeling isolated and helpless. I am so glad that many communities have and will participate in Forum Theatre due to this funding.” – MPP Suze Morrison.

The cover photo for Mixed Company Theatre's handbook "Introduction to Forum Theatre: A Workshop Resource for In-Person and Virtual Engagement." written by Luciano Iogna, Simon Malbogat, and Pavla Uppal, edited by Swetha Ranganathan.

Forum Theatre is an interactive type of theatre that engages communities in developing actionable strategies for positive social change. This new virtual model is ground-breaking for practitioners because it maintains the high impact, participatory aspects of the form when communities aren’t able to be in the same physical space. MCT staff collaborated with long-time associate artists Luciano Iogna and Pavla Uppal to develop the model and resulting handbook which details tried and tested digital variations on the key Forum Theatre exercises and format. OTF’s support also enabled MCT to offer intensive one-to-one training on virtual Forum Theatre, as well as develop new virtual programs and promotional materials for workplace training. All of these activities have led MCT to build operational and financial sustainability and thrive during these challenging times.

“This exploration enabled MCT artists to learn how to be creative virtually and broaden our reach throughout Ontario. This bodes well for the artists and all the different communities we serve in the future. We were all surprised at how engaged the community became and the number of people who participated in the dialogue,” said MCT’s Artistic Director Simon Malbogat.

Mixed Company Theatre has been producing innovative, socially relevant drama as a tool for positive change since 1983. They have brought their engaging educational programming to students, community members, and workplaces in Toronto and across Ontario. As the needs of the community grow and change, they continue to alter and expand their offerings to address new challenging social issues. For more information on their digital innovations, see their website at mixedcompanytheatre.com. 

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.   

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Media Contact: 

Mixed Company Theatre   416-805-9272   info@mixedcompanytheatre.com

Funding Support


The logo for the Ontario Trillium Foundation/Fondation Trillium de l'Ontario.