Community Conversations

Inspired by the questions writer and performer Haley McGee asks in her smash hit play The Ex-Boyfriend Yard Sale, this Community Conversation will gather a panel of experts to discuss 'The Cost of Love'. Our panel includes Kevin Caspersz, family lawyer, Noelle Perdue, digital artist and porn historian, and the creator of The Ex-Boyfriend Yard Sale herself, Haley McGee. 

This Community Conversation allows parents to discuss their feats and failures while sharing their tricks of the trade. Executive Director Gideon Arthurs joins Bad Parent Cast Member Josette Jorge, Amy Nostbakken (Quote Unquote Collective) and Adam Lazarus (PlayOn Theatre) for the Community Conversation.

Addressing the question of how to bridge the old and the new when it comes to the classics and what are we holding on to and what can we let go of. Soulpepper Artistic Director Weyni Mengesha invites Queen Goneril Playwright Erin Shields, Yvette Nolan (The Birds, Medicine Shows: Indigenous Performance Culture), and Ted Witzel (LULU v.7 // aspects of a femme fatale) to engage in dialogue around how classic texts are being re-imagined and adapted for a contemporary audience and how Shakespeare is staged for contemporary audiences.

Speaking to Indigenous joy and resilience, this Community Conversation, brings together an interdisciplinary panel of Indigenous kin including celebrated dancer, choreographer, activist and television host Sarain Fox and award winning filmmaker Alexandra Lazarowich, who share why representation is integral to moving forward in a good way. They each share ridiculous and candid stories that include mice, poison ivy, and being messy!

This conversation is a continuation of Soulpepper's environmental initiatives and builds upon the reflections of water that director Jani Lauzon has weaved through Where the Blood Mixes. The talk will touch upon the necessity of water, the climate crisis, and water teachings, with panelists Eve Saint, Jani Lauzon, Kevin Loring, and Pauline Shirt. 

Artistic Director Weyni Mengesha in coversation with Habiba Cooper Diallo, Jody Yaa Dunn, Ginelle Skerritt, and Anthony N. Morgan, four activists and academics as they discuss the education system in relationship to what has been referred to as the school to prison pipeline.

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2022, all the directors of our Mainstage season sat down to talk about their exciting upcoming work, their journeys into directing, and their aspirations for the industry. Join Jani Lauzon, Kim Senklip Harvey, Kim Collier, Meg Roe, and Weyni Mengesha for an intimate and inspiring conversation.

As technology further integrates into our lives is VR the theatre of the future? Is it still live theatre when VR technology is being used? VR is in it's infancy how is this team being cautious to not recreate the same mistakes as other disciplines as well as diversity. Learn more about the hybrid of theatre and VR how the two come together for the best storytelling. 

Women playwrights continue to be underrepresented throughout our stages. This means their voices go unheard, and their stories go untold. For International Women's Day join us as Weyni Mengesha sits down with our Six Women Writing playwrights, Trey Anthony, Sandra Caldwell, Hannah Moscovitch, Kat Sandler, and Erin Shields, as they discuss their inspirations, the challenges of the industry for female playwrights, and the value of working alongside each other. 

For over fifty years she has been on the front lines, influencing how the Black-Canadian community is seen, heard and represented across the country. The Honourable Jean Augustine, one of Canada’s greatest civil rights leaders, sits down with Weyni Mengesha to share her remarkable story and achievements, including having Black History Month officially recognized in Canada. Looking ahead to Black Futures, Weyni will also be joined by acclaimed artists, Jully Black, Kardinal Offishall, Emanuel, Savannah Ré, and Susan Carol to discuss their recent collaboration within the City of Toronto's Awakenings program with the song Freedom Heights (A song for Joshua Glover) to kick-off the Kitchen Concerts at the Inn music series. They will celebrate Black History and reflect on their dreams for the future.

Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train takes us inside Rikers Island and asks the audience hard questions about justice, punishment, and redemption. Artistic Director Weyni Mengesha moderated a post-show conversation with those on the frontlines of Canada’s justice system, including Anthony N. Morgan (Lawyer & Manager of Anti-Black Racism Unit, City of Toronto); Annamaria Enenajor (founder Cannabis Amnesty and Partner at RSED); Faisal Mirza (a criminal trial lawyer with Mirza Kwok); and Emily Lam (Partner, Kastner Lam LLP).

This Community Conversation was recorded before the surge in the Black Lives Matter movement currently happening around the world, but we invite you to use your time to listen, reflect, and take action on dismantling the systems of oppression that permeate our society and our community. 

Their work has moved you on screen, on stage, and in the jam. Now see some of Toronto’s leading Black artists up close and personal as they catch a vibe and share stories about the people and pieces that inspire them.

Featuring: Philip Akin (Artistic Director, Obsidian Theatre), DJ L’Oqenz (DJ, producer, music director, sound designer and cultural curator), Weyni Mengesha (Artistic Director, Soulpepper Theatre), Amanda Parris (Playwright, Host on CBC Radio and Television), and SATE (Singer, Actor, Mover).

This Community Conversation was recorded before the surge in the Black Lives Matter movement currently happening around the world, but we invite you to use your time to listen, reflect, and take action on dismantling the systems of oppression that permeate our society and our community. 

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2019, five of Canada’s groundbreaking artistic leaders sit down to ask each other questions about their journeys and aspirations as industry leaders. Join Andrea Donaldson (Nightwood Theatre), Mel Hague (Rhubarb Festival), Nina Lee Aquino (Factory Theatre), Weyni Mengesha (Soulpepper Theatre Company), and Kelly Thornton (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre) for an intimate and inspiring conversation, and a performance by Carvella Lee. Proceeds from the event were donated to support the incredible initiatives at the Artists Mentoring Youth (AMY) Project.

PLEASE NOTE: Around the 7 minute mark there are some technical issues with the audio, which lasts about 2 minutes. Sorry for the inconvenience, but keep listening - it's worth it.