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Imago Théâtre
Imago Theatre is a professional feminist theatre company based in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The company was founded in 1987 by Andres Hausmann, Ray Tomalty, and Kelly Patterson,[1] and is now led by the current Artistic and Executive Director, Krista Jackson. Imago Theatre is a catalyst for conversation, an advocate for gender inclusion and a space that centres feminist values and artistic practices. Imago's ethos is that by holding space for gender-inclusivity and giving power to women and gender-diverse people, art can create a more inclusive, safe, compassionate world.[2] HistoryIn the early days, under the leadership of Andres Haussman, Imago presented intricately intense international works and electrically experimental yet socially significant bilingual collective creations. The artistry and interactions of both languages were the foundation of the collaboration between Francophone and Anglophone artists, and a reflection of the complex relationship between Montreal's two solitudes.[3] In the year 2000, Clare Schapiro took over as Artistic Director. With Schapiro, Imago's programming shifted focus to presenting Canadian and Quebecois playwrights, and stories centered around women's lived experiences.[3] In 2013, Micheline Chevrier became Artistic and Executive Director of Imago.[4] Under Chevrier's leadership, Imago officially became a feminist and artist-run theatre company. Its work examined questions about human nature, climate change, politics, power dynamics, and the treatment of women and marginalized groups in our society. In 2022 the company announced the appointment of Krista Jackson as the new Artistic and Executive Director.[5] She brought with her a national body of work in new play development and institutional knowledge from leadership positions at theatres across the country, including The Grand Theatre where she served as Apprentice Artistic Director and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre where she served as Associate Artistic Director/Director of New Play Development. She is founding artistic director of zone41 theatre in Winnipeg.[6] Under her leadership Imago continues to embrace a unique collaborative working model, Canadian and Quebecois content, equitable representation (gender, race, ability), strong presence in terms of support for both emerging and established artists, and outreach extending beyond the provincial border to promote the work of Quebecois artists.[3] ProgrammingImago Theatre's work is committed to pushing boundaries, expanding form, and engaging in essential dialogue about urgent social issues. The company centres on inclusive feminist values, perspectives, and artistic practices within diverse stories, voices, and experiences. The company's core values are reflected through productions, festivals and readings; the ARTISTA free mentorship program for to women, non-binary, trans and gender-diverse creators; artistic residencies; post-show talkbacks; socially engaged community outreach and events; workshop series; and the Pay-What-You-Decide initiative. An artist-driven organization, Imago values radical artistic practice, impactful and challenging dialogue, equity, mentorship, and social change. Imago Theatre receives an audience demographic that is almost entirely younger generations ranging from 20–35 years old. In an interview with The Concordian, Artistic Director Krista Jackson says, “This idea that we’re speaking to a young demographic that wants to go and see a live performance is unbelievable to me because most theatres around the country are saying, ‘How do we get the young people? Everybody's so old.’ It's the plays and it's the topics discussed.”[7] ProductionsImago has presented a varied repertory, early years of the company saw interpretations of plays by Samuel Beckett (The Shorter Plays and Conversation), Harold Pinter (Other Plays and Pinteriana), Milan Kundera (Jacques and His Master), Heiner Müller (Quartet) and a collective creation about the invention of the atomic bomb, Incandescent (which played in both French and English).[3] Imago does not have a permanent space and presents their shows at a variety of Montreal performing arts spaces, including Centaur Theatre, The Segal Centre for the Performing Arts, Bain Mathieu, Théâtre La Chapelle, Espace Go and the Monument-National's Studio Hydro-Québec.[8] 2000-10
2010-20
2020-Present
Digital ProgramingIn order to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions, Imago shifted its programming to include digital work in 2020 so the theatre could continue hiring artists during that time of instability, and stay connected to their audience.[33] Digital programming lasted into the 2023/2024 season. 2020/2021 Digital Programing Eco-Anxiety, a Digital Festival that featured four short plays written by award-winning international playwrights and showcased the work of 12 Montreal artists. At times funny, at times moving, all four plays used different storytelling techniques as they explored the realities of the global climate crisis.[34] Presented as part of Climate Change Action Theatre, a biennial festival that coincides with the United Nations COP meetings. Tuning In, a commissioned series of three new, short audio plays penned by women playwrights from across Canada (In partnership with, and broadcast live from Montréal, Arts Interculturels).[35] Plays include: Lâche pas la patate by Yvette Nolan, The Ringtone by Audrey Dwyer, Scout's Honour by Amy Lee Lavoie.[36] 2023/2024 Digital Programing Good Things to Do, an immersive online storytelling experience by Mishelle Cuttler, Molly MacKinnon, Sam MacKinnon, Christine Quintanaan. Presented in partnership with Rumble Theatre.[37] Space Girl, the filmed version of the world premiere of Indigenous playwright Frances Koncan's newest play directed by Krista Jackson[38] (Ice River Films/Prairie Theatre Exchange).[39] Upside Down, a series of narrative and documentary short films that explore disability and accessibility in digital theatre.[40] ARTISTAARTISTA is a free theatre mentorship program for women, gender-diverse, trans, and non-binary people, ages 17–22. It is a 15 week program from January to May, on Monday nights, from 5-9 PM. Each session starts with a dinner provided for all participants. It seeks to achieve collective empowerment through theatrical experimentation. The goal of the program is to encourage participants to develop self confidence, artistic vocabulary, and gain a sense of community. Participants are encouraged to tell their own stories and share them with the world. They receive mentorship from professional artists (both local and national), with the hope of contributing to the participants' independence and confidence. Guest artists and mentors artists are able to offer participants insight into the diverse facets of Montreal and Canadian theatre practice.[41] The Creators CircleThe Creator's Circle brings together playwrights based in Montreal and nationally to workshop their plays in development and create a community space for artistic exchange. The plays and artists selected centralize questions of gender, while engaging in radical creation practices.[42] Nested circlesNested Circles is Imago's artist residency program that pairs Newcomer Artists with Practicing Artists with the intention of the pair sharing and working on their individual projects with support from one another. The Practicing Artist acts as a mentor, helping guide the Newcomer Artist in their creation process. The residency provides a cultural network as well as artistic resources to Newcomers who have moved to Montreal from a different country.[43] The residency is curated by Lindsay Lachance, facilitated by Krista Jackson, and produced by Leni Krivy. AccessibilityImago Theatre operates on a Pay-What-You-Decide philosophy that is aligned with their belief that theatre should be accessible to all. Through this initiative, the company seeks to democratize access to theatre by eliminating financial barriers that might keep people and communities from engaging with art. Imago is also committed to producing work in spaces that are physically accessible, ensuring the buildings are equipped with elevators and ramps. Imago has produced digital productions for blind and visually impaired audiences. In 2022 Imago began including French Language subtitles at every performance to connect with Francophone audiences in the city, and in 2024 the company began including a Relaxed Performance in their runs to welcome audiences with various access needs. Imago offers a mask mandatory performance during the run of their productions.[44] References
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