The Cycle
Changing the shape of Canadian theatre
The Cycle is a recurring, two-year research initiative developed by Associate Artistic Director Sarah Garton Stanley in partnership with artists and leaders from across the country. Our goal with each in-depth investigation is to gather practitioners around big ideas, engaging with the concerns of our contemporary society in theatrical terms. Areas of focus include Indigenous Performance (2014-15), and Deaf, disability, Mad arts and Inclusion (2016-17).
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Indigenous Body of Work
Our first cycle engaged deeply with Indigenous theatre, taking us to Banff and then to Manitoulin Island. We convened Indigenous leaders, artists and students from across the country.
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Inclusion: Deaf, disability and Mad arts
The second cycle engages deeply with the Deaf, disability and Mad arts community, and attempts to grapple with the idea of inclusion.
What is the Cycle?
Phase 1: The Summit is an intimate meeting place between artistic leaders from the milieu and empowered institutional representatives who act as listeners and respondents throughout the session.
Phase 2: The Study is a larger gathering of invested artists, leaders, students and specialists who together explore the breadth and scope of the work in view.
Phase 3: The Public Event (The Repast / The Republic of Inclusion) is a performative and event-based sharing of ideas with the broader theatrical community: academic, artistic, independent and institutional.
“The Cycle is intended as a way to make Canadian Theatre stronger.”- Jillian Keiley, Artistic Director, NAC English Theatre, from her opening remarks at Summit 2016