MANDATE
Theatre Revolve empowers young women through the creation of live theatre, artistic training, mentorship and leadership development in dynamic projects of immediate impact and global implication, while establishing and strengthening local and international arts networks.  

VISION
Theatre Revolve is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating a vibrant community of female artists collaborating on projects that cross boundaries in culture, economics, education and experience, and who strive to support one another while developing artistic, visioning and leadership skills.  The opportunity to be creative, build new skills, shape new ideas, and make them reality is fundamental in the creation of groundbreaking works of art as well as in the entrepreneurship that shapes our world.  We strive to challenge our perceptions of how we are connected to our different communities, throughout Toronto and across the globe, and in this project combining dynamic young voices and artistic excellence, push community development, artistic creation and international collaboration to new heights.

CORE VALUES
Respect
Generosity
Creativity

GROUND RULES
Arrive on time
Participate
Communicate

REVOLVE “BE THE CHANGE” CHALLENGE
Name it to Claim it: say what it is you want to see.
Push Yourself: you get out what you put in.
Change the World: every little step contributes towards the big picture.

Theatre Revolve is collaborating in co-production with Aluna Theatre and Tridha Arts Association on all of our initiatives.

Nebula (Pilot) Phase

In 2005, Natasha Mytnowych, Beatriz Pizano and Adriana Sabogal had an idea to bring together young women in a new multi-disciplinary, international project, and embarked on developing a vision, structure and resources to make this idea a reality. 

The structure and values of Theatre Revolve were developed through our Nebula (Pilot) Phase, January - November, 2006.  We visioned possibilities for the projects, established relationships with community and arts organizations, and applied for funds from a number of agencies.  While project leaders Natasha, Bea and Adriana had been meeting extensively to vision and flesh out the structure of the project, beginning in April 2006, Natasha Mytnowych with the support of Kilby Smith-McGregor facilitated a 3-day visioning retreat with a group of girls ages 18 - 22 who were interested in collaborative theatre arts, in order to get their input into the creation of the project.  The retreat had numerous sessions proposing possibilities, developing values and ideas for creation, mentorship programs and professional development.  The participants had practical sessions where they practiced theatre and leadership skills.  They each also contributed to the group’s development through their own facilitation of an activity throughout the weekend of their own choosing.  All of these activities gave us significant feedback on the type of work had the most resonance with participants.  Additionally, the retreat, which took place in Niagara-On-The-Lake, was generously supported by the Shaw Festival through the donation of tickets so the participants could see a performance, and company members Trish Lindstrom, Charlotte Gowdy, Diana Donnelly and Jessica Lowry joined the girls for a breakfast to share with them the impact of mentorship and their struggles in their lives as young women and as professional artists.   The breakfast was incredibly inspiring and very emotional, as there was a strong support of the necessity of fostering a community made up of female artists and youth.  The Nebula group committed to meeting once a month from May – October, 2006, and participants shared the responsibility of facilitating activities and further exploring ideas proposed during the retreat.  Many of their ideas and responses have been incorporated to the development of the future phases of the project. Participants in the Nebula Phase were Molly Gardiner, Bethany Jillard, Andrea Kwan, Stephanie Law, Caitlin McCarthy, Alexandra Parravano, Miranda Plant and Sarah Warren. 

In November 2006, Natasha Mytnowych, Beatriz Pizano and Adriana Sabogal traveled to Colombia to participate in the Magdalena Project: Women and War Conference in Bogota.  The Magdalena Project is an international network of women in contemporary theatre, founded in 1986 and spanning over 50 countries (www.themagdalenaproject.org).  This opportunity allowed us to explore the possibilities for future collaboration with Corporation Artistic Director Patricia Ariza and Carlos Satizabal.  In 2006, the Nebula Phase was completed, which resulted in the incorporation of this new not-for-profit organization, the development of the program structure, confirming community and arts partners, and securing support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Laidlaw Foundation and Artreach Toronto.

Andromeda Phase

In 2007, in commenced the Andromeda Phase, and brought together 24 young women to create a new work of theatre, train as theatre artists, document their work and develop a web-based component, and vision leadership projects related to the program from March – May, 2007.  Meeting at St. Christopher House at 248 Ossington Ave, this process was led by Beatriz Pizano and Natasha Mytnowych, with Ame Henderson supported by Trevor Schwellnus and Adriana Sabogal, with professional artist mentors Marie Beath Badian, Maev Beaty, Claire Calnan, Lisa Codrington, Andrea Donaldson, Diana Donnelly, Elizabeth Helmers, Ame Henderson, Kilby Smith McGregor, Michelle Monteith, Hannah Moscovitch, Beatriz Pizano and Erin Shields.  This phase has provided us the opportunity to strengthen our process, professional theatre and community relationships, and develop a common language and approach to the creation of new work with an individualistic and ensemble focus.  The group further developed the core values of Theatre Revolve, visioned leadership projects and generated creative material. 

On May 5, the production I Think of You Erendira was presented at Factory Theatre as part of the CrossCurrents Festival. 

Columba Phase

In the Colomba Phase, the players had 3-week intensive with the Corporation Colombiana de Teatro’s Carlos Satizabal (Bogota, Colombia) to collectively create another work of theatre through the Corporation’s collective process, from May 6 – 25, 2007.  During this time, our team of professional artists had the opportunity to collaborate with Carlos on the development on the content and process of Project Entrada and Project Erendira, laying the creative groundwork for an international collaboration in Bogota between both professional artists and the emerging artists of Theatre Revolve.  

Amaze, directed by Carlos Santiabal, created and performed by Zehra Abbbas, Carla Albieru, Kidest Ashene, Juliette Burgos Garcia, Rachelle Ganesh, Deborah Garcia, Nhi Long, Caitlin McCarthy, Rakhi Mutta, Ellen Ross Stuart, Nayani Thiyagaraja and Imabong Udoh, was presented at the Canadian Stage Company’s Berkeley Street Rehearsal Hall on May 25, 2007. 

Vela Phase

The Vela Phase (May – June, 2007) was the planning and developing of the Revolve Teen Youth Project (the upcoming Phoenix Phase), which will begin in the fall of 2007.  For 10 weeks players Carla Albieru, Deborah Garcia, Ellen Ross Stuart, Imabong Udoh, Juliette Burgos Garcia, Kidest Ashene, Manuela Garay, Mayahuel Tecozautla, Nayani Thiyagarajah, Nhi Long, Rakhi Mutta, Veronica Agudelo and Zehra Abbas developed the plans for this exciting upcoming phase of the program.  This planning continues through the summer 2007, as participants prepare to play a key leadership and mentorship role in the Teen Program. 

Aquila Phase

In the Aquila Phase, eight participants created a new theatre performance, I Am Here, presented as part of the A.M.Y Project Week at Theatre Passe Muraille on Thursday May 30, 2007.  I Am Here was written and performed by Deborah Garcia, Ellen Ross Stuart, Imabong Udoh, Juliette Burgos Garcia, Kidest Ashene, Mayahuel Tecozautla, Nhi Long and Veronica Agudelo and was directed by Natasha Mytnowych. 

Cassiopeia Phase

The Cassiopeia Phase is the creation of a new production (also called I Think of You Erendira) for the Toronto SummerWorks Festival at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace August 4 – 11, 2007.  (www.summerworks.ca).  The process is facilitated and directed by Natasha Mytnowych, Beatriz Pizano and Ame Henderson, and features continuing and new writers and performers Carla Albieru, Clara Pasieka, Deborah Garcia, Elizaveta Poliakova, Hannah Rittner, Imabong Udoh, Juliette Burgos Garcia, Khadijah Abdullah, Kidest Ashene, Manuela Garay, Maria Rey, Mariam Radaa, Mayahuel Tecozautla, Nayani Thiyagarajah, Nish Israni, Patisha Grant, Rakhi Mutta, Silvia Maria Wannam, Stephanie Law, Veronica Agudelo, Viviana Martinez and Zehra Abbas, with mentors Maev Beaty, Claire Calnan, Lisa Codrington, Diana Donnelly, Katherine Grainger, Elizabeth Helmers, Ame Henderson, Claire Jenkins, Moynan King, Holly Lewis, Keira Loughran, Ruth Madoc-Jones, Michelle Monteith,  Hannah Moscovitch, Beatriz Pizano and Erin Shields. The production will also be featured as part of The Canadian Stage Company’s Dream in High Park Community Day on Sunday, August 12 at 5 PM, giving the players the opportunity to perform at the Dream in High Park Amphitheatre.

NNNN Review, Now Magazine

"The stage of the Tarragon pulses with life and energy as some two dozen young women aged 18 to 26, inspired by a Gabriel Garcia Marquez story, reveal personal stories through text, movement and song. The material is uneven, but it’s always heartfelt. The thrillingly diverse (in all ways) cast, guided by a trio of strong directors, create a work that's joyous and healing in its cumulative power."

The performers of Theatre Revolve were

"Outstanding Ensemble"

in the NOW MAGAZINE SummerWorks Wrap Up!

Ara Phase

On July 25, 2007 Theatre Revolve had a Special Workshop with Theatre de Complicite's Lilo Baur (UK), thanks to Schools without Borders, Why Not Theatre, and the Canadian Stage Company.

Players Clara Pasieka, Deborah Garcia, Imabong Udoh, Juliette Burgos Garcia, Kidest Ashene, Manuela Garay, Maria Rey, Mayahuel Tecozautla, Nayani Thiyagarajah, Silvia Maria Wannam, Stephanie Law, Veronica Agudelo, Viviana Martinez, Zehra Abbas, and Mentors Beatriz Pizano, Diana Donnelly, Maev Beaty, Holly Lewis and Natasha Mytnowych,
(July 25, 2007)

Founded in 1983 by Simon McBurney, Annabel Arden, and Marcello Magni, Complicite is a constantly evolving ensemble of performers and collaborators.  Complicite's work has ranged from entirely devised work to theatrical adaptations and revivals of classic texts. The Company has also worked in other media; radio productions of Mnemonic and John Berger's To The Wedding, a collaboration with The Pet Shop Boys in Trafalgar Square and The Vertical Line, a multi-disciplinary installation performed in a disused tube station. Always changing and moving forward to incorporate new stimuli, the principles of the work have remained close to the original impulses: seeking what is most alive, integrating text, music, image and action to create surprising, disruptive theatre.What is essential is collaboration. www.complicite.org 

Lyra Phase

On July 30, 2007, Players Imabon Udoh, Deborah Garcia, Juliette Burgos Garcia and Nish Israni learned some DJ basics, and were wicked DJs at the Drake Hotel at the SummerWorks Launch Party: 

MANDATE
Aluna Theatre is a not-for-profit company that creates, develops, produces, and presents artistically innovative and culturally diverse performance work, with a focus on Latin Canadian and woman artists.

MISSION
The artistic mission of Aluna Theatre is to embrace the bursting cultural myriad of voices and stories of our population, transforming the landscape of Canadian theatre. In our new plays, works in translation, and international co-creations, people are complex individuals who exist beyond the restrictions of cultural labels.  We encourage new hybrids of theatre evolved from a rich collaboration of experiences, performance traditions and media, by engaging both emerging and established theatre professionals.  Our work reaches out to communities to attract new diverse audiences in Canada and abroad, to build liaisons that promote art as way to empower, and to share with each other and the world how to live in harmony.

VISION
Aluna Theatre’s artistic work benefits society by addressing social issues, raising awareness, and promoting values and attitudes that Canadians embrace as a nation: acceptance, diversity, equity, peace, respect, human rights and social justice.

Tridha Arts Association is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the creation, design and production of arts performances and events as well as developing educational programs focusing on the national and international exchange among artists.  Tridha Bogota was founded in Bogota, Colombia in the year 2000 and Tridha Arts Association in Toronto in the year 2006.  Over the course of its history Tridha has advised and supported private and governmental institutions in the formulation, implementation and execution of projects, plans, programs and activities in the arts field.  Tridha has presented theatre plays, dance, music and has produced conferences, expositions, festivals and events of diverse formats and budgets.  During the last three years Tridha has expanded to the international level, creating international exchanges through governmental agreements and contracts between Colombia and Canada, where a second office has been opened in Toronto.  Recent international collaboration projects include an indigenous international dance co-production among Colombian and Canadian indigenous artists, which culminated in a presentation at Harbourfront Centre and York University in the Ritmo Y Color Festival of Latin American Culture in July 2006, a three-month dance residency/creation project for a Canadian choreographer in Colombia, the presentation of five Colombian dance companies in Harbourfront Centres’s summer festivals, five Canadian companies traveling to Colombia to tour productions and workshops, as well as Canadian choreographers and artists acting in Colombia as juries for diverse festivals, among other ongoing activities.  Its members are experts and seasoned creative producers and arts administrators, working both in Colombia and Toronto to develop future collaborations.

Orion Phase (August – October 2007) Each player will write, film, edit and produce their own 5-minute video.  Videos will be screened as part of Hysteria: A Festival of Women at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre on October 27, 2007.

Lacerta Phase (September 2007)  The creation and presentation of a new performance/installation as part of the Lab Cab Festival at Factory Theatre, presented the weekend of September 9-10, 2007.

Phoenix Phase (September – October 2007) The first Revolve Teen Project, with a public presentation as part of Hysteria: A Festival of Women at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre on October 27, 2007.

Pegasus Phase (September – October 2007) The creation of a new production with new and returning members of Theatre Revolve with a public presentation as part of Hysteria: A Festival of Women at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre on October 27, 2007.