We are living in a polarized, challenging and evolving society rife with complexity and contradiction. It can be a difficult time to maintain perspective on what is happening—and on what needs to change. How can we become aware of the paradigms and structures that mediate our lives, and even our thoughts? How do we continue to think critically in The Age of Information? How do we understand ourselves and each other in an increasingly globalized world?
Imago Theatre explores these questions by engaging with feminist stories that can act as a catalyst for conversation around urgent social issues. Their plays and other community activities invite us to consider: how do structures of oppression limit our lives and our capacity to learn and heal? How is it that humans are capable of both enormous compassion and murderous rage? Even in a tumultuous time that can lead us to want to cling to simple answers and absolutist perspectives, they do not shy away from the dissection of the human condition. They explore the relationships and conditions inherent to human choices; their dysfunction and their beauty.
Imago believe that the importance of theatre, and the ways that it can shift our perspectives, lies in discussion, liveness, and connection. Our purpose is to awaken thoughts and feelings that lead us towards empathy and knowledge. Once you know, you can no longer “unknow.” This shifts the landscape by eliminating the bystander. Through this shift, brought about by storytelling, apathy ceases to be an option. The diversity of lived experiences we witness awakens us to our place in the world and motivates us to want to change it.
We advance Her Side of the Story through theatre that advocates for equal participation and representation for women and marginalized groups. We advance equality, social justice and Her Side of the Story through post-show talkbacks that encourage meaningful conversation and exchange.
We develop Her Side of the Story through ARTISTA, our free theatre arts mentorship program for young women, and also by providing mentorship opportunities and artistic residencies for emerging and established theatre artists from a variety of disciplines (acting, playwriting, directing, artistic direction and arts administration).
We democratize access to Her Side of the Story through our Pay-What-You-Decide initiative and by ensuring that all our events take place in spaces that are physically accessible to all.
We tell Her Side of The Story through theatre about unstoppable women with urgent stories that challenge and galvanize Canadian audiences.
Joy Ross-Jones, Erin Lindsay, and Sophie Gee are all Associate Artists for Imago Theatre, a catalyst for conversation, an advocate for equal representation and a hub for stories about unstoppable women.
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