Canadian Actors’ Equity Association (Equity)
Equity represents almost 6,000 active professional artists including performers (actors, singers, dancers), directors, choreographers, fight directors and stage managers working in live performance (theatre, opera and dance) in English Canada.
Recognizing that the arts are vital to life and that artists make an invaluable contribution to our society, Equity supports the creative efforts of its members by seeking to improve their working conditions and opportunities. The business of Equity is to negotiate and administer collective agreements, provide benefit plans, information and support, and act as an advocate for its membership.
Performance at The Creative School
Performance at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University offers full-time four-year BFAs in Acting, Dance and Production with facilities that include a proscenium stage, flexible black box studios, rehearsal rooms, dance studios, wood/ metal workshop, scenic art/drafting lab, costume workshops, and a range of other teaching spaces. Training is offered in acting, ballet, jazz, modern and contemporary dance, scenic and costume design, lighting design, sound design, technical theatre, playwriting and directing, production and stage management as well as audience relations.
Young Centre
The Young Centre for the Performing Arts was envisioned by George Brown College and Soulpepper Theatre Company to be a home to Toronto’s arts community and a destination for all theatre lovers. Anchored by the presence of Soulpepper’s year-round repertory season and George Brown College’s Theatre School, the Young Centre provides a home for both the leading artists of today, as well as the arts leaders of tomorrow.
When you step through the doors of the Young Centre you can feel a difference. The space is alive with discussion and debate. There is a kinetic energy fueled by the passion of performers, students, and audiences. There is a musical hum to designers, choreographers, directors and musicians collaborating. There is a rhythm set by the theatre, dance, music and poetry that fills each of the spaces. This is the environment in which we get to work, play, create and share. And you belong here.
Special Thanks
The SMArts Conference is generously sponsored by the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. Without Equity’s financial assistance, it would be impossible to keep the session fees at such a low rate. We also greatly appreciate the assistance from Performance at The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University. It is a privilege for SMArts to be associated with this respected training institution.
Much gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the following individuals and institutions: Arden R. Ryshpan, Flatiron Firkin Pub, Lynn McQueen, Penny Olorenshaw, Peter Fleming, Linda Morgan, and Susan Wallace.