"We will foster ownership of our product and company at all levels. Everyone involved with Sage Theatre, from established artists, to IGNITE! participants, to staff, board and volunteers, should feel like they are a part of our family and must genuinely care about the quality and success of our company and our work."
Kelly Reay, Artistic Director of Sage Theatre
Sage Theatre has been bringing audiences closer since 1999, when it was incorporated under the Societies Act of Alberta and guided by the artistic leadership of Rob Moffat. Rob remained with the company until our current Artistic Director Kelly Reay took the helm in 2004. In the ensuing seasons Sage Theatre has experienced significant growth in the number and scale of productions, engagement with emerging artists, connection with senior level mentors, and the development of audiences and supporters.
The company has annually produced 3 main-stage productions plus IGNITE!: Calgary's Festival for Emerging Artists.
Season programming launches in late September and runs through June each year. The company rehearses in various venues around Calgary and performs in the 60 seat Joyce Doolittle Theatre, located in the historic Pumphouse. A small, basement office/storage is located in the Arrata Opera Centre in down-town Calgary. Sage Theatre is accountable to a large group of stakeholders and we maintain an active Face Book Group, a selection of background clips on Youtube and the Sage Theatre Book Club.
One of Calgary's Most Surprising Theatre Companies
Sage Theatre occupies a very unique place in Calgary's theatre community. After twelve and a half seasons, thirty-two productions and six years of IGNITE! Festival for Emerging Artists, Sage Theatre has established itself as one of Calgary's most surprising theatre companies.
On a minimal budget, while fulfilling a primary commitment to local professional and emerging artists, the company has developed a reputation for artistic excellence that has been recognized by critical acclaim, audience growth, numerous Betty Mitchell Award nominations (43 from 1998 - 2008) plus ten nominations for 2009, including:
- Winner of the outstanding performance by an actress in a supporting role - Shauna Baird, FROZEN
- Winner of outstanding performance by an actress in a comedy or musical - Ava Jan Markus, THE ATTIC, THE PEARLS AND THREE FINE GIRLS
A History of Accomplishments
In addition to growth in public and private support and growth in audience scope and numbers, through the years accolades for Sage Theatre have included positive reviews, awards and nominations for artistic excellence. The dynamism and relevancy of Sage Theatre is reflected in a number of particulars. Initially Sage Theatre was very grateful to be recognized with a few annual Betty Mitchell Award nominations. As the company has grown, so has the recognition we've received through additional nominations and awards.
- Private sector support has grown from $2,150 in 2003/04 to over $150,000 per season.
- Government support has grown from $31,425 in 2003/04 to over $65,000 annually.
- Annual earned revenue by ticket sales has grown from $7,348 in 2003/04 to over $38,000 today.
- Attendance has increased from 643 in 2003/04 to more than 3,000 per season.
- We program Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances, with Saturday and Sunday matinees. Depending on the target audience we sometimes program a midnight performance instead of a matinee. We are currently running at an average of 78% capacity, a figure which continues to increase every season.
- The number of artists employed annually by Sage Theatre has grown from 11 main-stage in 2003/04 to over 30 main-stage and 100 Festival artists.
- Our Get Closer Book Club and Talk Back Tuesdays are both proven forums for discussion and feedback, and the Sage Theatre Face Book group has become a vibrant channel for anecdotal audience response.
The Sage Theatre Mission
Sage Theatre produces evocative professional theatre in an intimate environment and an annual multi-disciplinary festival celebrating new works of emerging professional artists. We are passionate about providing Canadian theatre professionals and talented emerging artists with opportunities to tell stories that speak to the human condition.
We are committed to keeping intimate professional theatre alive for Calgary audiences and distinguish ourselves from other theatre companies in this city based on our collective commitment to five pillars of the Sage Theatre vision.
- Producing evocative, professional theatre in a uniquely intimate environment
- Providing paid, inspiring opportunities to professional theatre artists
- Making a vital investment in the development of local and national emerging artists
- Celebrating and supporting the significance of the historic Pumphouse Theatre
- Fostering a passionate and close-knit Sage Theatre "family"
Sage Theatre hires members of Canadian Actors' Equity and offers applied learning opportunities and mentorship to young artists in all areas of theatre production, either in the main-stage setting or within the parameters of the Festival.
Jessye Cook is a graphic designer based in Calgary. Originally from Prince Edward County, Ontario, she studied design in Kingston before heading west.
Self-employed, Jessye has worked with a variety of clientele from fields far and wide, but her passion lies within designing for the arts community. Jessye and her husband Myke just recently had a beautiful baby girl - life is good!
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