Designing The Revolution

Phase 1 – Workshops
In partnership with Soulpepper Theatre’s Training Room, two workshops were held in-person at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Designing for Disability was facilitated by Jessica Watkin and Relaxed Performances for Designers by Marjorie Chan. Two more workshops were held online. The Anti-Oppression Workshop for Designers was led by Nikki Shaffeelulah and Designing the Revolution by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard and Cole Alvis.

Phase 2 – Revolution Assembly
A purposeful exchange between artistic leaders and designers in Toronto occurred where participants had the opportunity to meet and talk about what kind of work inspires them and how they like to collaborate artistically. The purpose was to encourage networking opportunities with other practitioners, and to forge new working relationships. A priority was given to designers who identify, and who live experiences as part of one or intersections of these equity-priority groups: Black, Indigenous, People of Colour; 2SLGBTQIAP, Deaf, and Disabled.

Phase 3 – Installations
With the current focus on social justice movements, the Canadian theatre community has shifted its lens toward an examination of culpability in a systemically-oppressive and highly colonial sector. Call-outs, call-ins, statements of solidarity, change and silent work are all being done within our sector. Designing the Revolution sought to engage in these conversations and push them further by inviting designers to the table.

We don’t want to wait to be asked into the conversation; we are ready to respond and hold a critical lens up to our collaborators and ourselves to ask: Is it enough? What is the future of theatre for us? How will inclusivity change the public face and inner workings of your company? How would you claim or reclaim space at this theatre?

The ADC engaged 14 Toronto-based designers to turn this conversation into action. In collaboration with Toronto-based artistic directors, they created distinctly theatrical public art installations for a selection of theatres throughout the city. The aim – to transform the reflection and discussions of the last two years into tangible installations that say to our collaborators and audiences: We are here.