Phew! This year is definitely one for the history books! As we enter the darkest time of year, here in the Northern Hemisphere, we continue to devote ourselves to the mission of creating art for the young and young-at-heart. When our 2019-20 season became ‘but a dream’, we rallied to best support our performers, stage management, designers and staff while picking up the pieces of cancelled tours and workshops. Nine months later, we feel fortified, beaming with ambitions to craft new theatrical creations amidst the normalized shroud of uncertainty. We are all living it, and here is how Axis Theatre is making it work...

Our Jessie Richardson award winning production of TH’OWXIYA: THE HUNGRY FEAST DISH (winner of Outstanding Production and Outstanding Stage Manager 2020) has been in persistent demand, which has inspired us to create a new multi-camera video for educators and students. This ‘almost live’ version will be filmed in the Kwantlen First Nations Longhouse in Fort Langley, with an additional history segment of the Kwantlen people narrated by the playwright Joseph A. Dandurand. It will be something truly unique for our audiences. You too can license the video starting in February 2021.

Our delightful puppet play, SOMEBODY LOVES YOU, MR.HATCH is not going anywhere any time soon, but, if all goes accordingly, we will bring it to the East Coast of Canada and the USA in the Spring of 2022. Looking ahead, China has been calling so we shall see where our dear Mr.Hatch lands on this big spinning blue ball!

Axis completed our first ever youth playwriting competition, YOUNGPlays over the summer holidays. The submissions were juried by Axis Theatre staff and theatre artist Seamus Fera. There were three winners announced, and with cash prizes, casting, rehearsals, then ZOOM readings, where each script will come to life. Tune in to our live-streamed premiere on our Facebook page on December 10th & 11th @7:00PM PDT, and December 12th @2:00PM PDT. Congratulations to Dez Johnson for ‘Learning Lessons’, Noah Kaulbach and Sadie Quinn for ‘Faithful Friends are Hard to Find’, and Pascale LaRivière for ‘Rock Meets Island’. Way to go Chris and Cassandra for directing these pieces. Check out the full info HERE!

Our nefarious leader Chris McGregor has been the adaptation wizard for several children’s books and Axis will be busy in development workshops for: CRY, HEART, BUT NEVER BREAK. Welcome to Axis’ first TYA co-production with Mortal Coil Performance! Directed by Peter Hall, the current team includes composer Erik Gow, with assistance from Cassandra Bourchier, puppet builder extraordinaire Frank Rader, and set designer Shizuka Kai.

FROG BELLY RAT BONE. In a world amidst a climate change crisis, FROG BELLY plants the idea that with some strategy, good communication and teamwork, one can grow wonderful things, and change the world. We are stoked to see what puppet designer Dusty Hagerud and composer Erik Gow will come up with for this inspirational play, and welcome new collaborator Stephanie Wong, for the set design!

WHERE HAVE ALL THE BUFFALO GONE? by Métis playwright Tai Grauman, “...my stories are to the Métis peoples of Alberta, specifically of "The Plains”. We’re excited to see what the talented Tai will bring us to unveil to you, our audience.

Did you know Axis Theatre is a registered charity? You can support our organization by making a donation on our Canada Helps page, mailing a cheque to our office or by e-transfer to gm@axistheatre.com. All donations over $20 will receive a tax receipt.

Realizing that we are better off than many during this pandemic, we would be thrilled if you donated any funds earmarked for Axis Theatre to one of the charities below. Thank you for doing what you can.

Canadian Feed the Children | Vancouver Food Bank | The Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau

Wishing you and yours peace, love and inspiration this holiday season!

With deepest gratitude,
Chris ‘Charlie Brown’ McGregor - Artistic Director
Daune ‘Lucy van Pelt’ Campbell - General Manager
Petrice ‘Peppermint Patty’ Brett - Tour Coordinator & Safety Officer
Cassandra ‘Snoopy’ Bourchier - Artistic Associate

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