PROFILE: THE YOUNG CENTRE
FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Soulpepper has come to the fore of the discussions
of arts concerns with a bold new space of its own in the
Distillery District. Here is what it’s all about.
On January 15th, 2006 Anne Sado, President of George Brown
College, and Albert Schultz, Artistic Director of Soulpepper
Theatre Company invited the first audience into the Young
Centre for the Performing Arts and presided over an official
opening ceremony and party.
The Young Centre for the Performing Arts is a unique joint
venture between George Brown College and the Soulpepper
Theatre Company. The multipurpose venue will serve as a
training space; a venue for public performances by theatre
dance and music companies; and the home theatre for Soulpepper’s
expanded 12 month season. Soulpepper, founded in 1998, has
quickly grown and established a reputation as a pre-eminent
interpreter of classical plays.
The 45,000 square foot space located in the Distillery
Historic District was built out of converted factory buildings
on the side of the Gooderham & Worts Distillery. Designed
by Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects, the Young
Centre combines exposed brickwork with wood and glass to
create a functional but beautiful space filled with natural
light. The new theatre has four flexible and intimate performance
venues, four studio spaces, classrooms, offices and an open-air
concert stage.
This is welcome news for the performing arts scene in Toronto.
In addition to the work of Soulpepper and George Brown College,
groups such as Nightwood Theatre, Tapestry Music Theatre
and Ballet Jörgen will produce their work at the centre
during this season. And if this wasn’t good news enough,
Soulpepper has just announced that they are expanding again.
The Baille Centre will be built next door to the Young Centre
and will house more space for training, resident artist
offices, rehearsal space and a production shop and storage
space.
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