May 28 – June 6, 2016

Artistic Director Sandra Laronde pitched Backbone as part of the 98th International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) Congress in Melbourne, Australia. Backbone was selected from a competitive pool of 56 applications worldwide by ISPA's Pitch New Works Committee. Twice a year, 10 submissions are selected to be "pitched" to more than 400 performing arts professionals from over 50 countries at ISPA's annual Congresses. This resulted in touring activity overseas.

Arts Centre Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia

May 15 - 17, 2016

Artistic Director Sandra Laronde and Associate Artist Meegwun Fairbrother assisted with the audition process of the National Theatre School with their selection of new students from the Toronto area.

April 15, 2016

It is with delight that we announce that Artistic Director Sandra Laronde has agreed to curate a Sesquicentennial Signature Music Initiative for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's (TSO) in 2017. Currently, she also serves on the Sesquicentennial Advisory for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Programming for the project will explore current and past Canadian composers, Canada's Indigenous musical legacy and ongoing practice, Canadian songwriters, culturally diverse music practice, and film composers.

April 5, 2016

Most recently, Sandra accepted a Public Member Appointment by the Toronto City Council to serve as a member of the Civic Theatres Toronto Board of Directors. In addition to the new Civic Theatres, she is also appointed to the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, the St. Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts, and the Toronto Centre for the Arts Boards of Directors for the purpose of merging theatre operations under the new Civic Theatres Toronto organization.

February 13, 2016

Artistic Director Sandra Laronde was invited by the National Arts Centre in Ottawa for a full-day consultation to discuss steps for their new programming of Indigenous Theatre and the hiring of their new artistic director at the NAC in 2017.

National Theatre School, Montreal, Ontario

February 10, 2016

Artistic Director Sandra Laronde was invited to Ontario's Culture Strategy sessions to speak about strengthening cultural priorities and what the province can do to support Indigenous artists towards greater professional success.

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Toronto, Ontario

February 5 – 6, 2016

Artistic Director Sandra Laronde was invited to speak on a panel for Arts + Reconciliation as part of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's production, Going Home Star: Truth and Reconciliation held at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto. She spoke on the panel with Artistic Director Andre Lewis, librettist Joseph Boyden, associate Tina Keeper, composer Christos Hatzis. She also invited to their VIP reception hosted by TD Bank and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

February 1, 2016

Artistic Director Sandra Laronde was invited to participate on the Sesquicentennial Advisory for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra that is part of a Signature Initiative of the Canadian Heritage. Programming for the project will explore current and past Canadian composers, Canada's Indigenous musical legacy and ongoing practice, Canadian songwriters, culturally diverse music practice, and film composers.

January 13, 2016

Artistic Director Sandra Laronde was invited by the Canada Council for the Arts to a special networking reception with Canadian movers and makers of the arts at the Québec Government Office in New York City, along with the Ontario Arts Council and Sens Production.

New York City, New York

January 12 – 14, 2016

Artistic Director Sandra Laronde attended the International Society for the Performing Arts in New York City, a global network of more than 400 leaders in the performing arts with representation from more than 50 countries and all regions of the globe.

Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and Sens Production