Against the Grain Theatre

Against the Grain Theatre, often abbreviated as AtG is a Canadian opera company based in Toronto, Ontario.

Against the Grain Theatre
Address2149 Yonge St #202,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates43°42′14″N 79°23′51″W
TypePerforming arts Company
Opened2010
Website
atgtheatre.com

History

AtG was founded in 2010 by Joel Ivany, who was the company's artistic director until 2023.[1][2] They are responsible for the production of the film "Messiah/Complex" and the ongoing Opera Pub series.[3][4][5]

AtG is a Canadian experimental opera company dedicated to creating vocal works and films staged in surprising locations, with an emphasis on storytelling and artistic experiences.[6] Their performances have given them notable recognition and have been featured by the NYTimes and the BBC along with coverage from across Canada by CBC National, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Macleans, Chatelaine.[7][8][9][10][11]

Notable Events
Year Events
2010-2011 An Unexpected Evening of Shakespeare is performed at Toronto’s Heliconian Hall[12]

La bohème is reinterpreted and staged at the Tranzac Club.[13][14]

2012-2013 The 7 Deadly Sins and Holier Fare are performed at Gallery 345[15][16]

Figaro's Wedding (Le Nozze di Figaro) opens.[17][18][19] AtG wraps up the year with its first production of Messiah[20][21]

2014-2015 Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity announces a new partnership with Against the Grain Theatre and The Canadian Opera Company[22]

AtG effect on Banff Centre’s opera program is a success with its first two production, Pelléas et Mélisande and #UncleJohn[23][24][25][26]

AtG returns in December with Messiah, which earns the company the Dora Award for Outstanding Performance Ensemble.[27]

2016-2017 In November, AtG stages Ayre, the bold, original work by Osvaldo Golijov.[28]

A little too cozy is staged and receives a Dora Award nomination. The Canadian Opera Company announces AtG as the first-ever company–in–residence in the history of Canada’s largest opera organization.[29]

2018-2019 An international co-production of Orphée⁺ between Opera Columbus, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and AtG is rehearsed at Banff Centre and premiers in Toronto.[30][31][32][33]

In August, AtG launches its National Opera Intensive, a summer opera program for students.[34][35]

AtG performs A Kurt Weill cabaret at the Yukon Arts Centre.[36][37]

AtG Records releases its first album, "Ayre: Live."[38][34]

AtG, the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and CBC Music collaborate to present a national tour of La Bohème in bars across Canada. A feature in The Globe and Mail chronicles the ambitious and experimental cross-Canada opera trek, hailing the tour as "groundbreaking."[39]

2020-2021 In January, AYRE is performed at the 21C music festival at Toronto’s Koerner Hall.[40]

Messiah/Complex also earns international media attention and is featured by the NYTimes. The NYTimes calls AtG’s Messiah/Complex "A Messiah for the Multitudes, Freed from History’s Bonds."[41]

Messiah/Complex premieres in partnership with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra[42]

2022 Messiah/Complex receives a JUNOS nomination in the category of Classical Album of the Year, Large Ensemble.[43][44]

Awards and nominations

Against the Grain Theatre has received awards, including the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Production in 2014 and 2017, and the 2022 Awards for Digital Excellence in Opera by OPERA America.[45]

AtG has received over 25 Dora nominations and earned wins in multiple categories for numerous productions.

Year Production Nominations
2014 Figaro's Wedding[46] [47]
  • Outstanding New Opera 2014 (Won)
  • Outstanding Production (Nominated)
  • Outstanding Direction (Nominated)
2015 #UncleJohn[48]
  • Best New Opera
  • Best Male Performance
  • Best Ensemble
2016 Messiah[49] Outstanding Ensemble Performance (Nominated)
2018 La Bohème[50]
2018 Orphée⁺[50]
  • Outstanding Production – Opera Division
  • Outstanding Performance: Female — Marcy Richardson
  • Outstanding Performance: Ensemble – The Ensemble: The Ensemble Dancers of Company XIV
  • Outstanding Direction – Joel Ivany
  • Outstanding Scenic Design – S. Katy Tucker
  • Outstanding Costume Design – Zane Pihlström
  • Outstanding Lighting Design – JAX Messenger
  • Outstanding Choreography – Austin McCormick
  • Outstanding Musical Direction – Topher Mokrzewski
2023 Bluebeard’s Castle[51][52]
  • Outstanding Production-Opera division(Won)
  • Outstanding Performance by an Individual: Gerald Finley, Bluebeard’s Castle(Won)
  • Outstanding Direction: Daisy Evans, Bluebeard’s Castle(Won)

References
  1. Anya, Wassenberg (2023-07-12). "THE SCOOP | Joel Ivany To Step Back From Against The Grain Theatre After 13 Years". Ludwig van Toronto. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
  2. Whifen, Robin. "Founder & Artistic Director Joel Ivany Stepping Back from AtG – Against the Grain Theatre". Retrieved 2023-09-08.
  3. Bilefsky, Dan (2020-12-21). "A 'Messiah' for the Multitudes, Freed From History's Bonds". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  4. "Events Archive". Ludwig-van.com. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  5. "Opera Pub – Against the Grain Theatre". Atgtheatre.com. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  6. "How Against The Grain changed the opera game with modernized productions in bars, galleries and studios". National Post. 2016-07-21. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  7. "BBC World Service - Newsday, A diverse interpretation of Handel's Messiah". BBC. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  8. Wheeler, Brad (2020-12-09). "Against the Grain's daring interpretation of Handel's Messiah might get a rise out of the hallelujah people". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  9. "This 'Bohème' takes on the lives of today's 20-somethings". Thestar.com. 2019-10-12. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  10. Bratishenko, Lev (19 August 2014). "Opera comes down from the mountain". Macleans.ca. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  11. Wells, Paul (11 December 2020). "How To Watch An Epic Online Canadian Messiah". Chatelaine.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  12. Lawlor, Robert. "Against The Grain Theatre presents AN UNEXPECTED EVENING OF SHAKESPEARE, 12/1". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  13. "La Bohème Goes Against the Grain at the Tranzac". Torontoist.com. 2011-06-02. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  14. "This La Bohème belongs in the bar". Thestar.com. 2011-06-02. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  15. "Stage Door News". Stage-door.com. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  16. "Review: Seven Deadly Sins (and Holier Fare) (Against the Grain Theatre) | Mooney on Theatre". Mooneyontheatre.com. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  17. "Against the Grain Theatre to Revive Award-Winning 'Figaro's Wedding'". Operawire.com. 2019-11-01. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  18. "AGAINST THE GRAIN THEATRE PRESENTS: FIGARO'S WEDDING — REVIEW BY JOHN NYMAN". Briband.com. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  19. "Figaro's Wedding a treat from beginning to end: Review". Thestar.com. 2013-05-29. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  20. "Review: AtG's Messiah (Against The Grain Theatre) | Mooney on Theatre". Mooneyontheatre.com. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  21. "Messing with Handel's Messiah". Thestar.com. 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  22. "The Banff Centre partners with Against the Grain Theatre and Canadian Opera Company for innovative new opera training program". Banffcentre.ca. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  23. "Opera by location. - Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  24. "AtG Pelléas et Mélisande". Barczablog.com. 2014-06-22. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  25. "Review - #UncleJohn - Against the Grain Theatre, Toronto - Christopher Hoile". Stage-door.com. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  26. Kaplan, Jon (2014-06-22). "Pelleas Et Melisande". Nowtoronto.com. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  27. "CityNews". Toronto.citynews.ca. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  28. Harris, Robert (9 November 2016). "Against the Grain's Ayre to deliver powerful evening of cultural mash-ups". Theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  29. "THE SCOOP | Canadian Opera Company Appoints First-Ever Disruptor-In-Residence". Ludwig-van.com. 27 January 2021.
  30. "Orphee Credits and Program" (PDF). Banffcentre.ca. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  31. "Eagerly anticipating Against the Grain's Orphée⁺ next week". Barczablog.com. 21 April 2018.
  32. "The Banff Centre innovates by bringing classical opera into the modern age with Orphée+ and Candide". Theyyscene.com.
  33. Marsh, Calum (26 April 2018). "At Toronto's Against the Grain Theatre, opera is wildly reimagined". National Post. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  34. "AtG & UofT's Summer Modern Intensive: "They are eager. Period."". Schmopera.com.
  35. "National Opera Intensive – Against the Grain Theatre". Atgtheatre.com.
  36. "AtG Goes North – Against the Grain Theatre". Atgtheatre.com.
  37. "Weill's Sins". Nowtorornto.com. 15 March 2012.
  38. "AYRE: LIVE – Against the Grain Theatre". Atgtheatre.com.
  39. Wheeler, Brad (18 October 2019). "Against the Grain Theatre takes Puccini on a beer-soaked road trip". Theglobeandmail.com. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  40. "Royal Conservatory | 21C MUSIC FESTIVAL: Against the Grain Theatre's Ayre and other works by Osvaldo Golijov". Ludwig-van.com.
  41. Bilefsky, Dan (21 December 2020). "A 'Messiah' for the Multitudes, Freed from History's Bonds". The New York Times.
  42. "THE SCOOP | Against the Grain Announces a New Take on Handel's Messiah in Partnership with the TSO and Banff Centre". Ludwig-van.com. 9 November 2020.
  43. "Inuk singer Looee Arreak in 'shock and disbelief' at Juno nomination". Cbc.ca. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  44. "Jonathon Adams and Co Nominated for Juno Award for "Messiah/Complex"". Schwalbeandpartners.com.
  45. "2022 Awards for Digital Excellence in Opera". Opera America. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  46. "TAPA - Nominations Announced for 2020 Dora Awards – Virtual Edition!". Tapa.ca. 8 June 2020.
  47. "Announcement: 2014 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Nominees (With links to MoT reviews)". Mooneyontheatre.com.
  48. "THE SCOOP | 2015 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Announced". Ludwig-van.com. 2015-06-01. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  49. Kappler, Maija (2016-05-30). "Intermission | Dora Mavor Moore Award Nominations 2016". Intermissionmagazine.com. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  50. "THE SCOOP | Indie Opera Makes History Dominating 2018 Dora Award Nominations". Ludwig-van.com. 2018-05-31. Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  51. "THE SCOOP | COC's Macbeth & Bluebeard's Castle by Against The Grain Sweep Doras In The Opera Division". Ludwig van Toronto. 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
  52. "TAPA - Recipients Announced for 43rd Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, 2023!". TAPA. 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
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