“We focus on Toronto. We are as local as local theatre can get”
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With public art installations, galleries, and festivals happening year-round, the area surrounding Waterworks is the perfect destination for artists and lovers of art alike. As part of this community, the first theatre company to dedicate itself to producing exclusively Canadian plays, resides just a few steps of the Waterworks building. Factory Theatre is a Canadian production company known as the “Home of the Canadian Playwright” having produced over 300 new Canadian plays in mainstage productions and 600 more in workshop and other formats. The Factory, as the locals call it, supports the community with a vibrant arts culture that showcases entertainment, education and community collaboration.
Nina Lee Aquino, Artistic Director of Factory Theatre, has worked with the theatre company for over 14 years and revels in the positive impact the company has had on the community. Nina’s has also an award winning editor and has been a professor at the Humber College School of Creative and Performing Arts and has taught theatre at educational institutions such as University of Guelph, York University and the National Theatre School of Canada. The Tap caught up with Nina to chat about the theatre and the role it plays in the community.
The Tap: What is the day-to-day vision of the Factory Theatre?
Nina Lee Aquino: We have a mission or a larger vision that guides how we operate which includes enthralling audiences with the imagination of Canadian creators through producing and presenting works on our stages. As part of this, we support the next generation of Canadian intercultural theatre artists through our new work development and training programs in the hopes of boldly bringing new Canadian voices to the stage
The Tap: What types of shows and performances can people in the area come and see?
Nina Lee Aquino: Factory Theatres performances range from comedy to dramatic pieces and everything in between – sometimes it’s even a hybrid of both, such as dramaedy! We aim to enlighten, educate, enthrall, entertain and enrich our audiences with every show. We focus on Toronto. We are as local as local theatre can get.
The Tap: With a history spanning over 30 years, how has the community changed and evolved over that time?
Nina Lee Aquino: We’ve definitely seen the development of more condos around our area and more residential homes which in turn has grown the community in size. The area provides a true neighbourhood feeling where we’ll have people walking by our Glassbox ticket centre waving hi to us. So while the area has grown – it’s only become closer at the same time.
The Tap: What historical significance does the factory theatre play in the community?
Nina Lee Aquino: In the past, the building has served as a community centre of sorts for the St. Mary‘s Catholic Parish formed in 1910 which used to be across from us. Now, Factory Theatre has become one of the unofficial cultural hubs of the community for the surrounding neighbourhood.
The Tap: Besides being a theatre, what else does the heritage building offer?
Nina Lee Aquino: The building is more than just a theater. It’s literally a cornerstone of the community located right on the corner of Adelaide St. W and Bathurst St. The space is also available for rental and we have been a home for many venueless independent theatre companies to showcase their works. It’s also hosted community theatre groups so they have a place to showcase their talent and schools in the nearby area have also rented the space for their convocations.
The Tap: How can the community get involved with the theatre?
Nina Lee Aquino: Be an audience member! Witness the work on stage. Make theatre a part of their lives – enrich their cultural experience or pass down the love of theatre to their kids and the next generation. We support the growth of Canadian talent – locally and nationally – so donations are a huge help to the company. We want people to come and learn about the many different facets that Canadians face – here at home and outside of the country. Theatre is a great way to know what’s happening to us as a community and society — here and now.
For more information about the theatre and upcoming shows, check out www.factorytheatre.ca.