Toronto has unveiled a new theatre and performance venue designed to provide a supportive home for both emerging and established artists, offering a vital space amid the city’s rising living costs and the growing scarcity of creative and rehearsal spaces.
The Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre officially opened its doors on Monday and is a joint initiative between Tapestry Opera, Nightwood Theatre, and St. Clare’s Housing.
The 6,500-square-foot facility is located at 877 Yonge Street, near the intersection of Yonge and Davenport, on the lower level of a St. Clare’s Housing building. The partnership between the organizations Nightwood Theatre and Tapestry Opera began in 2022 when both companies moved into the Artscape Distillery District Studios.
After 20 years of successful programming, Nightwood Theatre, Tapestry Opera, and over 70 artists and arts organizations were forced to vacate the Distillery space. The closure resulted in the removal of office space for both teams and the loss of significant studio spaces for the city’s performing arts community.
Designed by Hilditch Architects with guidance from Theatrical Project Manager Remington North, the organization’s new home incorporates state-of-the-art technology that reduces energy consumption.
The centre will host performances and programming from its resident companies and artists programming that will include a variety of multidisciplinary performances, artist residencies, and workshops.
Emerging and established artists will also have opportunities to develop and showcase new work, while community members can engage through interactive programming, educational initiatives, and mentorship opportunities.
“We need spaces in Toronto that intentionally reach out for people to gather, that allow for creative dreaming, bold action, and courageous expression,” said Andrea Donaldson, Artistic Director at Nightwood Theatre.
Beginning with a Launch Concert with Tapestry and Friends on March 22, the venue’s season will go on to include Where the Spirits Sit, a workshop production from Nightwood Theatre, running April 3 to 5, and featuring the songwriting and storytelling of multidisciplinary artist Tamara Podemski.
Sanctuary Song, a one-hour all-ages original opera, will run from May 9 to 25, and Nightwood’s staging of Enormity, Girl, and the Earthquake in Her Lungs, a physical ensemble piece, will run from Sept. 16 to Oct. 5.
Tapestry Opera will also be hosting inaugural residencies with Cultureland and Opera Q, as well as the continuation of LIBLAB, an opera creation intensive from July 15 to 25.
