Beyond the Stage

We build community through theatre.

Our Beyond the Stage programming keeps the conversation going, deepening our collective understanding of important issues and connecting to inspiring leaders and organizations actively engaged in making change. We are grateful for our Community Partnerships with service, advocacy, arts and education organizations, with whom we collaborate closely to develop interactive experiences that take you beyond the world of the play and have you talking long after you leave the theatre.

An audience member speaks at a reading
Chats & Talkbacks

Get an insider’s point of view. Join discussions about the themes of our plays and the stories behind our productions with pre-show expert chats and post-show artist talkbacks.

Audience members engage in an expert panel after NSFW
EXPERT PANELS

Go deeper with the issues. Subject matter experts and community leaders join us during panels that stimulate discussions of the Big Questions provoked by our plays.

A student stands with their artwork for the My Name Is Asher Lev Lobby Display
Lobby Exhibits

See it in a different way. The conversation continues in the lobby, animated with visual art exhibits providing context and illuminating diverse perspectives on the themes of our productions.

Tell It Like It Is Panelists
AT HOME

Continue the conversation. Through the pandemic, we brought direct to your home unique digital opportunities to interact with artists, delve into the creative process and chat about issues vital to our world, our communities and ourselves.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Our Beyond the Stage events accompany Mainstage Productions.

Check out below our upcoming events for our 25/26 Mainstage production of The Christmas Market!

25 26

Lobby Exhibit – Harvesting Freedom: organizing for dignity and respect

Lobby Exhibit

November 4–30, 2025

This photography collection highlights the courageous work of The Christmas Market Community Partner, Justice for Migrant Workers, who worked closely with playwright Kanika Ambrose, and whose expertise and generosity have been crucial to the development of this play. 

Justice for Migrant Workers is motivated by experiences shared and lessons learned from migrant farm workers over the course of nearly 25 years of community organizing across Canada. As allies, migrants, farm workers, organizers and friends, we believe migrant workers deserve to work with dignity, respect, and justice.

Related productions

THE CHRISTMAS MARKET, November 4–30, 2025

Cast and Creative Team Talkbacks

Chat or Talkback

November 13, 2025
November 20, 2025
November 27, 2025

Stay after the show and get an insider’s point of view! This is an opportunity to ask questions, learn how creative decisions were made, and hear behind-the-scenes stories firsthand from members of the cast and creative team.

Related productions

THE CHRISTMAS MARKET, November 4–30, 2025

Pre-show Chat

Chat or Talkback

November 23, 2025

1:15 PM (before the 2:00 PM matinée)

Join us for a pre-show chat with Chris Ramsaroop, an organizer for Justice for Migrant Workers, as he talks about the issues facing migrant workers in Canada, the role of worker resistance, and the impact of solidarity and organising.

Chris Ramsaroop is working to complete his PhD at OISE/University of Toronto. His area of research examines the role of resistance by migrant farm workers in Canada. He is an Assistant Professor at New College-U of T, and also an instructor in the Caribbean Studies Program at the University of Toronto. In addition he is Co-Director of the Migrant Farm Worker Legal Clinic at the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law. Recently he has joined the Advisory Group for the IPES (International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems – Food report on Labour, Migration & Food Systems.

Related productions

THE CHRISTMAS MARKET, November 4–30, 2025

Black Together Night

November 28, 2025

8:00 PM (performance + post-show celebration)

Studio Theatre, Streetcar Crowsnest (345 Carlaw Avenue)

BLACK TOGETHER NIGHT is an evening created for Black audiences to gather, celebrate, and witness stories by and for the Black community in a safe and affirming space.

Inspired by the BLACK OUT concept popularized by Slave Play playwright Jeremy O. Harris, this night uplifts Blackness on stage, off stage, and in community.

Join us for a special presentation of Kanika Ambrose’s powerful new play The Christmas Market and then stay for the post-show celebration in the lobby!

Related productions

THE CHRISTMAS MARKET, November 4–30, 2025

First Winters: Community Conversation

November 30, 2025

12:30 PM-1:30 PM (before the 2:00 PM matinée)

Nada Ristich Studio-Gallery, Streetcar Crowsnest (345 Carlaw Avenue)

Come and see the matinée of The Christmas Market and join the community conversation before the show!

Hosted by b current Performing arts, and facilitated by Dora Award-winning actor and playwright Peter N. Bailey, First Winters is a pre-show community conversation about what it’s like to experience a first winter in Canada.

Share memories – from the magic of a first snowfall to the shock of -30°C weather – or simply listen to the stories of others.

No preparation is needed – just come as you are for good conversation, delicious food, and the chance to connect with others who understand the unique experience of Canadian winters.

This event is free (with lunch!), but registration is required. Space is limited so book early!

Tickets to the matinée performance of The Christmas Market at 2:00 PM are sold separately.

For more information and to register, click here.

Related productions

THE CHRISTMAS MARKET, November 4–30, 2025

PAST EVENTS

Photos (left to right): An audience member responds at an IN DEVELOPMENT Reading talkback, photo by Dahlia Katz. The expert panel for NSFW. An IN CLASS student stands with their artwork for the My Name Is Asher Lev lobby exhibit, photo by Annie Clarke. A screenshot of the AT HOME: Tell It Like It Is panelists.