What to Expect at… Soulpepper

/By Mariam Ahmed / Jan 24, 2020

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Looking for information about specific theatres? We’ve got you covered! Every week, Intermission’s Insider Intel articles one theatre across the city, highlighting everything you need to know before your visit.

This week: Soulpepper Theatre Company

What kind of theatre do they produce?

- Soulpepper Theatre Company is a not-for-profit theatre company and one of Toronto’s largest. Initially founded and moulded by artists, Soulpepper has made it its mission to create and lead youth and community outreach initiatives and artist training and mentorship programs. Soulpepper has an annual season that grounds its work in classics but also makes sure to curate new works, new forms, and include innovative practices. This is their 2020 season.

Location:

- The Young Centre for the Performing Arts is located at 50 Tank House Lane in the Historic Distillery District in Toronto’s East End. Along with Soulpepper, the venue also hosts the theatre school at George Brown College.

Venue:

- The Young Centre for the Performing Arts is home to the Kevin and Roger Garland Cabaret theatre, Michael Young Theatre, Marilyn and Charles Baillie Theatre, the Tank House Theatre, the TD Financial Group Studio, the RBC Studio, Studio 2, Classrooms, and the Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Atrium. You can click here to find more specs about each venue.

Photo by Tom Arban

Ticket Prices:

- Ticket prices range from $30 to $100 depending on which seats are purchased.

Artists You May Know:

- Weyni Mengesha (Artistic Director and Soulpepper Academy alum), Nancy Palk (Director, Founding Member, Actor), Stuart Hughes (Founding Member, Actor), Amy Rutherford (Actor), Leah Doz (Actor), Gregory Prest (Director, Actor, Baillie Fellow), Akosua Amo-Adem (Actor), Mac Fyfe (Actor), Diego Matamoros (Founding Member, Actor, Drummond-Dorrance Fellow), Daniel Brooks (Director), Mike Ross (Slaight Family Director of Music, Director, Performer, Actor) and more…

Discount Opportunities:

- Under 21: Under 21’s are eligible to book free tickets in advance for pre-selected performances. With a membership, The MyPlay program also offers same-day tickets to see all Soulpepper Mainstage and Concert performances for free! Online only.
- Under 25: Soulpepper has started a new program for demographics 25 & Under. Starting in January of 2020, the Free 25 & Under program offers up to two free tickets for Soulpepper Mainstage and Concert performances only. Tickets are available on the day of the performance beginning at 8am until 90 minutes before the performance and are only available online.
- Under 30: Soulpepper offers $20 tickets to those under 30 through their StagePlay program. Tickets are available in advance for Tuesday and Wednesday evening shows. Booking for all other shows is available the same day, starting at 7 am.
- Arts Workers: Soulpepper also offers an arts worker discount for $20 tickets. Tickets are available in advance for Tuesday and Wednesday evening shows. Booking for all other shows is available the same day, starting at 7 am.
- Rush Tickets: Soulpepper offers rush tickets at $30 ($5 if you’re under 21) for all performances based on availability. Tickets are available at the box office 60 minutes before the start of the show.

Photo by Daniel Malavasi

Accessibility:

- Soulpepper offers many performances and the Young Centre for the Performing Arts is fully accessible. There are symbols within the calendar that indicate which performance is which.
- Audio Description is available for select performances. There is a symbol in the calendar for Audio Description. Soulpepper offers $20 tickets are available for ODSP community members and their invited guests. There is an app that can be downloaded and instructions on Soulpepper’s website on how the app can be connected to the correct channel – all you have to do is plug in your earphones.
- ASL Interpreted Performances are available wherever you find an ASL symbol in the calendar. The performance proceeds as the Director intends without disruption and ASL interpreters are positioned on a lit, raised platform on each side of the performance space. Production Directors and Designers have worked with a Deaf Community Consultant, ASL Coach and Cross-Cultural Consultant on the “integration of the interpreters to ensure clear communication as well as the artistic integrity of the performance”
- Relaxed Performances are intended for audiences who benefit from a more relaxed environment. For audiences who are on the autism spectrum, with sensory and communicative disorders, or learning disabled people, these performances offer more room to move around or make noise.
- Wheelchair Seating is available within the venue and for all performances. Tickets for these seats must be booked by calling the Box Office.
- Hearing Assisting Devices: State-of-the-art Assistive Listening Devices are available from Soulpepper, free of charge and are given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Facility Access: The Young Centre for the Performing Arts is fully wheelchair accessible. There is an elevator available with access to all floors and entrances include push-button automated doors. Restrooms have 30” clearance which isn’t sufficient for all models of mobility devices.
- Support Persons: If a support person is accompanying a patron with a disability, a complimentary ticket will be provided. Tickets must be booked by calling the Box Office.

Photo courtesy of Soulpepper Theatre Company

Where to Eat and Drink:

- We’ve curated a great list of places you can go to eat, drink, and shop.

Workshops/Classes:

- Soulpepper offers workshops and masterclasses that provide artists with accessible training from leading Canadian and International Theatre Artist-Instructors.
- Currently, the programs being offered are the Audition Monologue Workshop and Masterclass Series: Hedda Gabler with Nancy Palk – check back regularly for more.
- Soulpepper offers the March Break program, Curtain Up, City Youth Academy, and the Alumni program.
- There is also Soulpepper Academy for aspiring artists.

Iconic Past Productions:

WRITTEN BY

Mariam Ahmed

Mariam is Associate Editor at Intermission. Mariam earned her Honours BA in English literature from York University and recently completed a Graduate Certificate program from Centennial College in Book and Magazine Publishing. When she's not busy reading books and plays, she takes pictures of books for her "Bookstagram", watches as many movies and shows as she can, and is a self-proclaimed Chocoholic.

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