Did you know that your version of Internet Explorer is out of date?
To get the best possible experience using our website we recommend downloading one of the browsers below.

Internet Explorer 10, Firefox, Chrome, or Safari.

Mar 4, 2020

« Back to News

Soulpepper Presents Fresh Ink: Experience New Works in Early Development

Soulpepper Presents Fresh Ink: Experience New Works in Early Development

TORONTO, ON - March 4, 2020 - Soulpepper Theatre Company is pleased to present the first in a new event series called Fresh Ink. Fresh Ink is an opportunity for artists and audiences to share new work, the life blood of the theatre. This series is a chance to discover what our theatre makers are up to, what they’re thinking and dreaming about. It’s a chance for adventurous audiences and artists to come together to share in the creative process. This is part of Soulpepper’s continued commitment to the community and championing of new voices on our stages.

The inaugural Fresh Ink event will be free to the public and will take place on March 20 at 7:30 pm in multiple venues at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.

The playwrights participating in the first Fresh Ink session includes acclaimed writers Nicolas Billon (ButcherThe Elephant Song); Rosamund Small (SistersVitals); Kat Sandler (MustardYaga); Ngozi Paul (The Emancipation of Ms. Lovely); Anton Piatigorsky (Eternal Hydra); and Thomas McKechnie (The Jungle, Remembering the Winnipeg General), as well as debuts from Akosua Amo-Adem (NOW Magazine Top 10 Toronto Theatre Artists of 2019) and Rebecca Tran (emerging, new generation playwright). The artists will share experts from their latest projects. The event will be hosted by Frank Cox-O’Connell and Guillermo Verdecchia. 

“This event has been something I’ve wanted to do since I first arrived at Soulpepper. Emma and I wanted to find a way to give a space for Toronto theatre makers to experiment and take risks in front of a live audience. Theatre is thrilling when it is made in dialogue between artists and audiences. We hope that Fresh Ink will be fertile ground for the creation of great new work,” said Weyni Mengesha, Artistic Director.

“The concept of opening up our spaces and journeying into the creative process has been something I was involved with in the UK, and it is so exciting to see Soulpepper move in this direction. These are energizing events and offer artists and audiences the chance to share the spark of creativity that happens when you see what clicks and what doesn’t. I hope the whole community turns out - I know they will have a great time,” said Emma Stenning, Executive Director.

“I’m excited to participate in the first Fresh Ink at Soulpepper. The audience plays a huge role in what we do as artists and  creators. Getting a chance to share my writing with them in the early stages will be a big help in the development of this work. I can’t wait for their feedback,” said Akosua Amo-Adem, Top 10 Toronto Theatre Artists of 2019 (NOW Magazine)

The evening will include eight short readings from plays in development that have never been read in front of a live audience. After, artists and audiences are invited to stay for food, drinks and music. To ensure a seat, please RSVP HERE.

The next Fresh Ink session will take place on May 1 with more information to come. 

Media are invited to attend, but the work presented is in early development stages and is not for review.

Located in its multi-venue home, the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto’s Distillery Historic District, Soulpepper is Toronto’s largest not-for-profit theatre company. Founded and guided by artists, Soulpepper has an integrated mission which includes: industry-leading youth and community outreach initiatives; artist training and mentorship programs; and a year-round diverse repertory season which is grounded in the classics and committed to the creation of new works, new forms, and innovative practices.

The artists and staff of Soulpepper and the Young Centre for the Performing Arts acknowledge the original caretakers and storytellers of this land - the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, and the Wendat First Nations. We commit to honouring and celebrating their past, present and future.

Soulpepper believes all people have a right to express their individuality, to experience creative freedom, to feel safe at all times, and to be treated with dignity and respect.

Soulpepper gratefully acknowledges annual operating support from the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts.

Soulpepper is pleased to recognize the donors of transformational gifts to its Creative Capital Campaign: The Slaight Family; The Government of Ontario; Gail Drummond and Bob Dorrance; Kevin and Roger Garland; and Ada Slaight.

Soulpepper is grateful for the major sponsorship support of:
Scotiabank
The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation
CIBC
TD Bank
BMO Financial Group
RBC Foundation
TD Securities Underwriting Hope
Canada Life
Diane Blake & Stephen Smith
Polar Asset Management Partners
Sylvia Soyka
Top Women
Middlefield Group
Sun Life

Connect with us:
FACEBOOK.COM/SOULPEPPERTHEATRE | TWITTER: @SOULPEPPER | INSTAGRAM: @SOULPEPPERTHEATRE | YOUTUBE.COM/SOULPEPPERTHEATRE | SOUNDCLOUD.COM/SOULPEPPERTHEATRE

.