Who: Downstage Performance Society
What: A theatre company with a mandate to exclusively present politically and socially provocative Canadian theatre.
Why they’re on the A-List: Five seasons, 21 core performances and support for emerging artists through the Motel Series and the birds and stone performance space.
The members of the Downstage Performance Society want your mind active and your emotions stirred when you leave the theatre after their performances, and if you get into a heated debate with your date while sipping a post-show drink they’ll take that as a sign of success. It’s the only theatre company in Calgary that intentionally tries to provoke controversy with every production.
In 2004, artistic producer Simon Mallett recruited three of his University of Calgary classmates to establish Downstage. Since then, the group has used the stage as an outlet to tackle contentious topics such as war and terrorism, not-in-my-backyard issues, prisoner abuse at Guantanamo Bay, Canadian identity in a multicultural society and the cycle of abuse. Their goal is to provide entertaining theatre that resonates.
“We’re passionate about work that leaves you with questions,” says artistic associate and founding member Julie Mortensen. “We want the audience to think about things critically as well as be entertained.”
Downstage presents three core productions each season, including one original show developed by their performance-creation ensemble, Dog From The Machine.
The group of eight artists digs into issues that are creating headlines, weighing on their minds or getting them riled up. This summer, they explore the aftermath of an economic collapse for their presentation of Bus(t). The performance takes place in an imaginary world of gridlock and is staged on a parked bus.
Last September, Downstage took up permanent residence at the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts’ Motel theatre, where in addition to using the prestigious address to raise its profile, the theatre company continues to support emerging artists.
Downstage also produces the Motel Series, which includes four plays annually from up-and-coming Alberta artists who explore new and interdisciplinary ways of approaching theatre. And it operates the birds and stone theatre space in the basement of the Unitarian Church of Calgary, which provides much-needed performance and rehearsal space for other emerging arts groups and collectives.
No matter the topic or the venue, Downstage isn’t interested in using its productions to preach.
“We are all political artists, but we don’t really want to be didactic about what we believe,” Mortensen says. “We never want to lecture people or bang them over the head with our opinions. We want to get people talking and looking at issues from a new perspective.”
What Can You Do?
Show your support by attending a performance and be sure to save time afterward for rousing conversation. Individual and season tickets, as well as information on sponsorship opportunities, are available at downstage.ca and by calling 403-294-7459.
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