OVERVIEW
The Marquee Ensemble is a free multi-arts program where people from different walks of life explore music, dance, theatre, and how they can connect. In weekly sessions throughout the month of June, artists and arts lovers will participate in performing arts workshops together and study material from a show in the Musical Stage Company’s current season.
This year, we hope to welcome a cohort of Marquee Ensemble members who have a wide range of experience in the performing, technical, and production-based arts. We encourage applications from people who have felt previously uninvited to and unwelcome in music theatre spaces. We acknowledge that the practice of conventional musical theatre is often hostile to most cultural backgrounds, marginalized classes, abilities, identities and languages. We are looking forward to collaborating with participants to co-create a space that celebrates your lived experience, your histories, and your interests in music, dance, and theatre. We encourage people of all varying levels of experience to apply – no previous experience in the arts is necessary.
OVERVIEW
The Marquee Ensemble is a free multi-arts program where people from different walks of life explore music, dance, theatre, and how they can connect. In weekly sessions throughout the month of June, artists and arts lovers will participate in performing arts workshops together and study material from a show in the Musical Stage Company’s current season.
This year, we hope to welcome a cohort of Marquee Ensemble members who have a wide range of experience in the performing, technical, and production-based arts. We encourage applications from people who have felt previously uninvited to and unwelcome in music theatre spaces. We acknowledge that the practice of conventional musical theatre is often hostile to most cultural backgrounds, marginalized classes, abilities, identities and languages. We are looking forward to collaborating with participants to co-create a space that celebrates your lived experience, your histories, and your interests in music, dance, and theatre. We encourage people of all varying levels of experience to apply – no previous experience in the arts is necessary.
ABOUT THE MARQUEE ENSEMBLE
The Marquee Ensemble, formerly known as the MARQUEE Program, is an annual professional and community arts enrichment program offered by the Musical Stage Company. Each year, program workshops and activities are designed in alignment with a production from that year’s season with the aim of fostering new, meaningful connections to contemporary music theatre with local artists and audiences.
What does The Marquee Ensemble offer?
- A welcoming community of art-loving peers & mentors
- 2 complimentary tickets to a Musical Stage Company production.
- Creative performance workshops with exciting local artists
- TTC fare, snacks & accessibility funds will be provided
Program Schedule
This year’s program will be offered in person at the High Park Nature Centre, in both indoor and outdoors spaces, and in accordance with our COVID Health & Safety Policy.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Program cohort welcome, community agreement building, and a special guided tour of High Park.
THEATRE
A day of workshops focusing on playwriting, music theatre dramaturgy, and a script study of Dixon Road. Option to attend a performance of Dixon Road in the evening (at 8 pm).
DANCE
A day of workshops focusing on the role of dance performance and movement in music theatre, including a group dance class.
MUSIC
A day of workshops focusing on collaborative music creation and performance, non-European musical knowledge systems, and a study of the music score for Dixon Road.
Note: The program activities are subject to change.
For any additional questions related to The Marquee Ensemble, please contact Program Manager Camila Diaz-Varela at camiladiazvarela@musicalstagecompany.com.
ACCESS
Venue
The program will be offered in person at the High Park Nature Centre and in accordance with our COVID Health & Safety Policy. The High Park Nature Centre has an accessible bathroom (able to accommodate mobility devices) and a ramped entrance/exit. Program workshops will take place outside (on outdoor patios with a roof and wooden floors, and on shaded grassy areas in the surrounding park). Throughout the program day, indoor gender-free bathrooms, an indoor seating area, indoor coat room for personal items, and an indoor kitchen with a fridge and microwave are available.
Accessibility
Through the program’s accessibility fund, we are open to arranging translation services, providing childcare subsidies, and offering specific supports that would improve your participation in the program. Creating more access for The Marquee Ensemble is very important to us at The Musical Stage Company, and we are always learning how to do this better. We are open to speaking more about access needs with anyone who would like to request their own or learn more about the steps we are taking – if you’re wondering if certain services can be made available, please ask!
For ease of access, there are alternative ways to apply for this program – including by phone. If you would like to set up a phone interview or arrange an alternate way to complete this application, please let us know!
If you have any additional questions, would like to learn more about different ways we can support your accessibility needs, or would like to arrange an alternate way to complete this application, please contact Program Manager Camila Diaz-Varela at camiladiazvarela@musicalstagecompany.com.
Previous Years
MARQUEE 2021
The 2021 MARQUEE program took place over the 4 weeks of August at the High Park Nature Centre, for 21 members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, newcomers to Canada, and/or survivors of cancer, and all of their intersections.
Participants had the unique opportunity to engage in a series of workshops, panel discussions, forums and seminars, including a couple of Q&A panels hosted by BLACKOUT creative team members, Steven Gallagher (Bookwriter) and Wayne Gwillim (Music Supervisor).
All participants also received a free ticket to attend a performance of BLACKOUT.
MARQUEE 2020
The 2020 MARQUEE program took place over 5 weeks in January/February, with 5 sessions for 25 young members of the LGBTQ2S community in Toronto and surrounding areas.
Participants had the unique opportunity to engage in a series of curated seminars and workshops, including a storytelling and movement exploration seminar led by Esie Mensah, and a theatre workshop facilitated by CAROLINE, OR CHANGE Apprentice Director, Tsholo Khalema.
All participants also received a free ticket to attend a performance of CAROLINE, OR CHANGE.
MARQUEE 2019
The 2019 MARQUEE program took place over 3 weeks in April, with 3 sessions for 25 young members of the LGBTQ2S community in Toronto and surrounding areas.
Participants had the unique opportunity to engage in a series of curated seminars and workshops, including a storytelling and creative exploration seminar led by Kai Cheng Thom, and a theatre workshop facilitated by NEXT TO NORMAL Assistant Director, Sabryn Rock.
All participants also received a free ticket to attend a performance of NEXT TO NORMAL.