Tarragon Annual Report 2022/23 : simplebooklet.com

Our Mission .................................................................................................. 4Season at a glance ....................................................................................... 5Message from Tarragon Leadership ............................................................ 7Our plays ...................................................................................................... 12Greenhouse Festival .................................................................................... 16New Play Development ................................................................................ 19Education & Community .............................................................................. 22Financial Position ......................................................................................... 26Tarragon Supporters .................................................................................... 28What’s InsideEmilio’s A Million Chameleons at Tarragon’s Greenhouse Festival. Photo: Dahlia Katz3

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Our Mission We seek to create theatre that investigates artistic form, which mayincorporate non-traditional practices and methods of storytelling, andmay integrate other disciplines such as movement, music or non-textbased performance – all toward creating enriching and provocativetheatre experiences for the artist and audience. Tarragon Theatre’s mission is to create, develop and produce new playsand to provide the conditions for new work to thrive. Chala Hunter and Christopher Allen in Redbone Coonhound. Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann.4

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Board of DirectorsAdam Bryk (President) Brendan Dellandrea(Treasurer) Dahabo Ahmed-OmerAnne Bermonte Naomi Brown James Buchanan Jenny Gumbs Naguib Keval Caroline O'BrienJoan Pierre Katherine Pollock Laurence Siegel Elaine Stavro Heather Yamoah Walter YimTarragon was fortunate through the worst of the pandemic to have thecontinued support of our community, donors, and arts councils. Many organizations like ours, entered the 2022 season in some of theirhealthiest financial positions with built up reserves that were receivedduring Covid. But the challenge now is returning to our missions post-pandemic in an economic environment that for theatres across NorthAmerica has drastically changed. We now find ourselves in a moment where we are artistically reinvigorated– creating and sharing work that is inspiring, bold, and timely – whilesimultaneously investigating the role of theatre in this post-pandemic time.Our Covid reserve funds have served us in allowing us to invest in artistsand return to the innovative work that Tarragon has been known for, andnow our work is in building the blueprint that will serve us in the nextchapter of Canadian theatre. We thank you for joining us on this journey.Adam Bryk Board PresidentI’d like to start by congratulating Mike, Andrea, and the Tarragon staff for an impressive fullseason of programming – the first full season in three years – and by thanking you, oursubscribers and supporters, for investing in new Canadian work at Tarragon.It has been such a notable time to be telling stories through live theatre, focusing on humanconnection after so many months of being apart. We heard from patrons, and felt deeplyourselves, how we missed the shared experience the theatre offers. I personally amrejuvenated each time I enter the theatre space – I am able to disconnect from the minute byminute communications of our current lives and then immediately re-connect with artistsand audiences alike on a personal level. 7

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Mike PayetteArtistic DirectorThere were so many momentous transitions wefaced this past year as we bridged into a newnormal of re-gathering and re-connection in ourtheatres and with our communities.At Tarragon, it was no different, and yet we were buoyed by the tremendous support of both audienceand artists alike who rode the waves with us as we discovered and unpacked the impact of what we do. Working dedicatedly with our Managing Director Andrea Vagianos, we emboldened new ways of working,creating enriching environments for new play development to flourish, and explored models that supportthe scope of our staff and artists’ ability to thrive.The personal cost of what our extended family has endured during these past exceptional years cannotbe overstated. In coming back, we knew we could not return to how it was, and charged ourselves withimagining what we could be. The spaces that we invite for Canadian stories to soar on and off the stageare as important as the protection of our staff and the means in which they support the art. It is thecollective reward that this past season welcomed new voices to the theatre which opened the door formany communities to experience theatre and find a home at the Tarragon. Many of whom were makingtheir theatre-going debut.What’s more, as we continued to champion the artistic potential of embracing diverse artistic andinterdisciplinary form, we were celebrated with a season that saw meaningful intergenerationalexchange, where young and young at heart shared space and curiosity of the breadth of new creationprocess and critically-acclaimed premiere productions. Our theatre is abuzz. Our past season was electric and vibrant; grounded in the work that aimed to inspiredialogue about the stories and the world we live in. While we can find our own kinship to a story, orwhether we need to go deeper to open our hearts and thinking, theatre will always remain integral to ourworld and the Canadian experience. We are deeply thankful to the cornerstone supporters in our audience who are unwavering in the notion ofour theatre’s impact. I am equally grateful to those that have entrusted us with their theatre-goingexperience, and who have started a new journey with us as we work steadfastly to be your neighbourhoodtheatre.Forward, together! Thanks for being with us.9

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There was extraordinary joy at being back in operation, amid some collective apprehension aroundreopening. Inside the operations of the theatre, we became reacquainted with our positions andnavigated the challenges of staff shortages in specific areas of our work. In the end, we producedengaging and meaningful stories in excellent productions, welcoming new and seasoned playwrightsto our stages, from Jeff Ho and Yolanda Bonnell to Hannah Moscovitch and Anosh Irani. We alsoprovided new accessible programming through our Chez Vous offerings and our Active Listenersupports. And we continued to support new creators through awards and residencies throughout theyear.It would feel disingenuous not to acknowledge that it was a difficult year financially, as all costs wentup, but subscriptions and single ticket sales were down, but we were fortunate to enjoy yourcontinued support as donors and patrons as you ventured back into our spaces to see live theatre.We want to extend our thanks to the volunteers who lend their time and efforts to ensuring thesuccess of our work, from our volunteer ushers to our dedicated Board of Directors. A very specialthank you to the The Slaight Family Foundation for their generous support and extraordinary foresightin contributing to Toronto’s theatre community as we all transitioned back after a two-year hiatus. Abig thank you to our public funders at the Canada, Ontario and Toronto Arts Councils for theircontinued commitment to the work we do to support the voices of artists and the emotional well-being of our extended community.We look forward to welcoming you back to Tarragon this fall and hope you’ll spread the word aboutall the exciting productions and events to enjoy this coming season at your neighbourhood theatre.The 2022-23 season was a significant one for Tarragon. Andrea VagianosManaging DirectorIt marked the launch of our first full season following our two-year pandemic closure, and the first fullseason programmed by new Artistic Director Mike Payette.11

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2022/23 seasonOur 2022/23 season embraced the range of artistic form within the theatreexperience and encouraged interdisciplinary, intercultural and intergenerationalexchange. This season featured seven world premiere performances, punctuatedby humour, rawness and celebration of the human condition from the finest newand established award-winning Canadian playwrights.CockroachWritten by Ho Ka Kei (Jeff Ho)Directed by Mike PayetteChoreographed by Hanna KielAnton Ling, 郝邦宇 Steven Hao and Karl Ang in Cockroach. Photo: Joy von Tiedemann.In response to the pandemic, we offered our Chez Vousseries, allowing audiences to watch digital recordingsof our Tarragon productions. We had viewers from 104different cities across Canada, the United States,England, Australia, Japan, and China.My Sister's RageWritten by Yolanda BonnellDirected by Yolanda BonnellIn association with Studio 180 Theatre and TO LiveMonique Mojica in My Sister's Rage. Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann.12

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Redbone CoonhoundWritten by Amy Lee Lavoie and Omari NewtonDirected by Micheline Chevrier with Kwaku OkyereAn Arts Club Silver Commission as partof a rolling world premiere with Tarragon Theatre and Imago TheatrePost-DemocracyWritten by Hannah MoscovitchDirected by Mumbi Tindyebwa OtuChantelle Han and Jesse LaVercombe in Post-Democracy. Photo: Mike Meehan.Kwesi Ameyaw, Jesse Dwyer, Christopher Allen and Lucinda Davis in Redbone Coonhound. Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann.Ali Kazmi and Vik Sahay in Behind the Moon. Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann.Behind the MoonWritten by Anosh IraniDirected by Richard Rose13

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The Hooves Belonged to the DeerWritten by Makram AyacheDirected by Peter Hinton-DavisIn association with Buddies in Bad Times TheatreShe’s Not Special Written by Fatuma AdarDirected by Fatuma Adar & Graham IsadorA Tarragon Theatre and Nightwood Theatre PresentationThe Hooves Belonged to the Deer. Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann. Paint Me This House of LoveWritten by Chelsea WoolleyDirected by Mike PayetteFatuma Adar in She's Not Special at Next Stage Festival 2022. Photo: Connie Tsang.Jessica B. Hill and Jeremiah Sparks in Paint Me This House of Love. Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann.14

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Dora Award NominationsSteven Hao and Anton Ling in Cockroach. Photo: Joy von Tiedemann.Ali Kazmi and Husein Madhavji in Behind the Moon. Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann.Anosh Irani Outstanding New Play Behind the MoonChristine Ting-Huan UrquhartOutstanding Scenic/Projection DesignCockroachJawon Kang, Frank Donato and Dezmond ArnkvarnOutstanding Scenic/Projection DesignRedbone CoonhoundThe Hooves Belonged to the DeerAli Kazmi Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role Behind the MoonMonique MojicaOutstanding Performance in a Featured RoleMy Sister’s RageAnahita DehbonehieOutstanding Scenic/Projection DesignAli Kazmi and Husein Madhavji in Behind the Moon. Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann.15

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artists part ofthe festivaldifferent liveperformances50124Our commitment to Artistic Excellence opened doors for anexploration of form through Greenhouse - an exciting newfestival and residency opportunity for interdisciplinarytheatre-makers at Tarragon. We welcomed four resident artists as they grew the seed ofan idea in development at Tarragon, concluding with liveperformances at the festival. Their works explored topics ofethics in digital content, the Hakka (客家) diaspora inCanada, as well as a dystopic shadow puppetryperformance, and a family-friendly musical.In addition to our residents’ performances, the GreenhouseFestival was an explosion of new art at Tarragon, featuring8 other events, micro-performances and interactive gamesthroughout our building, as well as various art installations.brand new creationsfostered in the residencyOur new Greenhouse Festivalphotos: Dahlia Katz16

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Weird Bingowith Weird AliceTwo exciting weekends of artBenevolenceWith Kevin Matthew Wong, Echo Zhou,Chris Ross-Ewart, Noel Pendawa, Sooji Kim.photo: Dahlia KatzEmilio’s A Million ChameleonsBy Adam Francis ProulxThese Are The Songs That I Sing When I’m SadA Nightswimming ProductionBy Jane Miller and Brian QuirtKit Kat Miniwith Ryan G. HindsBeatnik Madlibswith Isaac Kessler & Alaine HuttonArt installations in the lobby17

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2022/23 Grant & Award RecipientsGriffin McInnesBulmash-Siegel New Creation Development AwardGriffin’s project is an exploration into Tarragon’s community,researching and interviewing participants. Creating a piece oftheatre that considers possible change.Breton LalamaRBC Tarragon Emerging PlaywrightHis play, Quid Pro Quo is audience participatory multi-mediumexploration of queerness and what it means to tell the truth.Aria EvansUrjo Kareda Residency Grant for an Emerging ArtistAria gained increased experience and understanding of Artistic Leadership, while also developing new artistic projects.artist spotlight: Breton LalamaBreton Lalama (he+they) is an actor, writer, and performance artist committed toenriching and diversifying queer and trans representation in storytelling. Right now, he'sparticularly excited by explorations of the intersections of identity and performativity. "Tarragon's RBC Emerging Playwright Award has been a game changer for both myartistic practice and my career as a playwright. It has connected me to a network ofmentors and peers who support and inspire my work on this particular project, andbeyond; the monetary support has allowed me to take time off of other work and focusin on writing in a way I have never before been able to afford; it has allowed me todevelop both my practice and a language of advocacy for my practice. I wish I could remain in this residency for years and years!"19

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5In the spring, we hosted our annual Play Reading Week.We commissioned four professional playwrights to develop new plays, which werehearsed with professional actors, and performed play readings for the public. We also hosted two exciting evenings showcasing works developed by our YoungPlaywrights Unit. The houses were packed for these events, and excited to seenew plays come to life!Play Reading Week10296new worksaudiencemembersdays of freereadingsCommisioned playwrights:Quid Pro Quoby Breton LalamaDefinitionby Luke ReeceYellowby Kalale Dalton-LutaleThe Screamby Carolyn Fe20

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2023 Playwright in ResidencePage 4"The residency at Tarragon is a priceless gift for a later-in-(st)age emergingstoryteller like myself. To be given a haven surrounded by good people, to beseen, heard and freely experiment with no holds barred gave me confidencethat I matter as an artist. To walk the halls where esteemed playwrights suchas Hannah Moscovitch, Drew Hayden Taylor and many more have created,inspires me to bravely conceive and write stories beyond what I thought Icould say. At the moment, we are at month 7 of 12 of my residency, I haveseven plays in various stages of drafts, progress and development. One cansay that the residual vibes left by previous artists rubbed off on me, and this isjust the beginning. I will be forever grateful that Tarragon has helped me add another page in mycreative portfolio, one that I have never thought I could add - playwright. I amproud to be part of Tarragon’s history of Artists-In-Residence and cannot waitto share what I have been conjuring in the little back corner office on thesecond floor of Tarragon’s building."artist spotlight:Carolyn FeCarolyn Fe is a Filipino-Canadian #OldNotOutdated Actress, Singer, Songwriter,Bookworm, Fountain Pen addicted Lyricist and Playwright. Through her work, sheadvocates and represents older women of colour, artists and creatives.21

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We continue to improve outreach and accessibility within our community througha wide variety of educational programs – from discounted student tickets, bussubsidies and resource guides for educators to robust programming for youth inthe underserved, highly diverse community of Scarborough. 1,455 385student ticketsartist-ledcoursesstudentworkshopsEducationEast of TarragonIn its sixth year, our East of Tarragon programis a launchpad for young, local creators inScarborough and Markham, providingtransformative educational opportunitiesthrough theatrical storytelling. This season's group of students created newplays which were performed in a showcase atUniversity of Toronto Scarborough Campus andfeatured performances from Scarborough andMarkham high school students.“East of Tarragon helped me todevelop my writing skills andshowcase my talent on stage. I aminterested in becoming a futureplaywright so this experience helpedme build a solid foundation andstepping stone to my career path.”-2022/23 East of Tarragonparticipant22

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Tarragon's Young Playwrights Unit (YPU) is a free training experience for young people whoare curious and passionate about play-making. It offers a group of dedicated youngcreators a rigorous and supportive context in which to develop some of their first works.Three local playwrights, and three national-based playwrights participate in the program. Our young playwrights all had excerpts of their new plays directed and performed by aprofessional director and actors, as a part of Tarragon’s annual Play Reading Week.This year's cohort was lead by Nathaniel Hanula-James. and Paula Wing.Young Playwrights Unit2022-23 Young Playwrights Unit cohort:Local:Donovan HaydenOprah LemorinJonnie LombardNational:James B. EllosoKelsi JamesElizabeth Rodenberg“Tarragon's Young Playwrights Unit (YPU) providedme with a safe and supportive space to strengthenmy writing skills and openly share my journey as anemerging playwright. I am forever grateful to the team at TarragonTheatre for giving me this wonderful opportunity.”“Working with the othergreat writers andfacilitators from Tarragonhas shown me the value ofwriting in a supportivecreative community.”-2022/23 YPU participants23

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We were thrilled to offer our first ever Black Out Nightfor a performance of Fatuma Adar’s She’s Not Special,presented in partnership with Nightwood Theatre, tocreate a space that honours and celebrates Blacknessand provides Black audience members an opportunityto come together in a space that is by, for, and aboutthem. The spirit of this community-focused evening is tofacilitate a supportive environment for culturally-specific conversations dedicated to Black-made work. We had a full house at the Black Out Night for She’s Not Special!Fatuma Adar in She's Not Special at Next Stage Festival 2022. Photo: Connie Tsang.Black Out Night24

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artist spotlight: Lindsay LachanceLindsay Lachance has worked as a dramaturge for over a decade andis an Assistant Professor of theatre theory and dramaturgy in theDepartment of Theatre and Film at the University of British Columbia.Lindsay’s dramaturgical practice is influenced by her relationship withbirch bark biting and the Gatineau River. She was also the first ArtisticAssociate of Indigenous Theatre at Canada's National Arts Centre.New this season, Tarragon’s Indigenous Dramaturgy Circle gathered with the support ofcommunity leader Lindsay Lachance and Tarragon’s Artistic and Community Engagement staff. The Circle’s artists: Waawaate Fobister, Monique Mojica, Reneltta Arluk, Kenneth T. Williams.Indigenous Dramaturgy Circle“Tarragon’s Indigenous Dramaturgy Circle brought together theatre and performanceartists from across the country who are currently developing and practicing new andinnovative ways of creating Indigenous theatre. This community of artists met via zoom to share ideas, processes and support eachotherin thinking through how to incorporate land-based and culturally specific approaches totheir art-making. The Indigenous Dramaturgy Circle also offered seed funding for each ofus to start developing projects that was shared in the circle. I loved meeting with thiscollective and hearing about the various projects and goals. This initiative really feels agap in the ecology of Indigenous artists’ need to gather, share and develop new ideasaround dramaturgy and land-based creation practices.”25

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On May 2nd, we hostedour Spring SoiréeFundraiser with a nightof live entertainment,food and festivities.Spring SoiréeWe hosted our Spring Soirée fundraiser, welcomingdonors, artists, and audiences to celebrate 51 yearsof Tarragon Theatre.As a part of the celebration, we presented a specialperformance of Chelsea Woolley’s Paint Me ThisHouse of Love, and invited audiences to paint aTarragon themed mural with us in the lobby.photos: Lyon Smith27

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We couldn't have done it without your generous support. Tarragon Theatre season sponsor 2022/23:Education/community building:Awards/residencies/internships:Government and program support:Production sponsor:Cockroach:AnonymousThe Catherine and Maxwell Meighen FoundationBetter Toronto Coalition Fund Stendel Family Foundation at Toronto FoundationThe Stanley Shalom Zielony FoundationThe Pat & Tony Adams Freedom TrustThe Paul Butler and Chris Black Foundation at Toronto FoundationThe Butterfield Family FoundationThe Dudley Family FundThe Balfour Bowen Family FoundationThe Graham Family FundJackman FoundationLSRK FoundationColin Krivy Memorial FundRacioppo Family FoundationFoundation Support:Tarragon is generously supported bythe Toronto Arts FoundationResiliency Fund, created to providesupport for artists and arts workerswho have suffered significantfinancial loss throughout thepandemic. The Fund was madepossible thanks to donations fromthe Hal Jackman Foundation andThe Slaight Family Foundation.28

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DonorsThank you to all our donors and volunteers.Planned givingThe Estate of Kenneth Charles DaweThe Estate of Ellen (Helen) Joan KatesThe Estate of Marjorie Eileen KelleyThe Estate of Brenda Jean ProtheroePremiers ($5,000+)Anonymous (2) James Buchanan & Julia RobertsonAmbassadors ($2,500 - $4,999)Anonymous Naomi Brown Janet DewanAdvocates ($1,000 - $2,499)AnonymousSherri & William AppellJohn Ashkenas & Julie BrillNeville Austin Anne Louise Bannon Ellen & Murray Blankstein Adam Bryk & Melony Duranovich Susan Carlyle & David Southen Bob & Jane Clapp Laurie Clark Collaborators ($500 - $999)Anonymous (4) The Late Walter M. & Lisa Balfour Bowen Krishna Balkissoon Anne Bermonte Alan & Helen BillingBrenda Brooks Judy & Richard Ellen Roy England Tom Flemming Steve Garmaise & Sue Rebick John & Susan GoddardKamala Jean Gopie Shira Hart Don & Marjorie LenzPauline G. Morris Noel Mowat Dr. Elaine StavroDr. Juanne Clarke Ph.D. Marsha J. Copp Beth Driscoll & Duncan Reith Sheila Ewart Gillian & Ron Graham Ellen Hill Valarie Koziol Audrey Loeb Ross & David Ross Larry E.S. Lubin Jefferson & Sally Mappin Barbara & Kit MooreFäggie & Curt Oliver Katherine Pollock & Orysia SemotiukJ. Barbara Rose Robert SherrinAnn & Ross Stuart Wendy ThompsonAndrea Vagianos & Zis Parras Darlene A. Varaleau Heather YamoahRonald M. Haynes Richard & Susan Horner Christopher P. Johnson Vincent Lee Bob & Anne Lindsay Kenneth & Mary LundAndrew & Harriet LyonsChristie MacInnes Jean & Paul McGrath Louisa O'ReillyDr. Helen M. OstovichLynne Patterson Bill & Donna Porter Douglas Rienzo Cathy Riggall & Ron LancasterBarbara E. Tangney Shelly Sender & Ron Lancaster Maureen Simpson & Almos Tassonyi Christiane VieDonald WilsonJudith H. Winston Pat & Gerry WoodJoanne WordhamAnthony & Marianna Wright Alan Yates Dr. Walter YimWe are grateful for donations made by family andloved ones in memory of the following individuals: Mary AlfordMarie BeattieGraham EwartRickey FitzermanUrjo KaredaEva SaphirMargaret StevensGabriel TrevisanRonald Youd29

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Mike PayetteArtistic DirectorMyekah Payne Associate Artistic DirectorGerry Egan Director of Production Kai MasaokaTechnical Director Tristan GoethelTechnical Director Leslie Hernandez Technical Director Carley Melvin Assistant Technical Director Alyssa ObrigewitschProduction Assistant,COVID Safety & Patron ServicesRepresentative Karen Elizabeth Mainspace Technician David Mallette Extraspace Technician Andrew Chute Head Carpenter Lochlan Cox Head of Props Julia Surich Head of Wardrobe Frank Donato Video Production CoordinatorShara-Lee Miller Head Scenic PainterEmma Walker Bookkeeper Andrea VagianosManaging DirectorCourtney Fiddis Director of Development Cameron Johnston Director of Marketing &Communications Natasha Parsons Director of Patron Services Heather Caplap Education and CommunityEngagement Manager Justin Miller Artistic Producer and GreenhouseFestival DirectorOlivia Seward Assistant Producer & CommunityEngagement Coordinator Chibuzor IgwiloCommunications & DevelopmentAssistantMonica Bradford-LeaCommunications & DevelopmentAssistantMicaela Molina Morales Manager of Patron Services Anita Soutendam Assistant Manager of Patron ServicesCaleigh Adams, Rahaf Fasheh, Jonnie Lombard, Jackson Nair, Yago Mesquita Patron Services RepresentativesDanielle Morgan Publicist2022/23 Tarragon Staff30

Tarragon Annual Report 2022/23

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