A Message from Tara Parker
President, Crow's Theatre Board of Directors

On behalf of the Crow's Theatre Board of Directors, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join us as Crow's Theatre Celebrates 25 Years of Groundbreaking Canadian Theatre with the launch of our 25th Anniversary Matching Funds Program.

Since 1983, Crow's Theatre has grown from a small artist-run company to an industry-leading producer, known across Canada for its innovation and artistic rigour. We have solidified this reputation through our lasting commitment to new Canadian work and the artists who create it, producing several of our country's seminal works; including Brad Fraser's Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love, Lee MacDougall's High Life, John Mighton's A Short History of Night and James O'Reilly's Time After Time: The Chet Baker Project.

In 2007, Chris Abraham joined the company as its new Artistic Director. He has brought with him an impressive body of work as an award-winning freelance theatre-maker, as well as a wealth of experience as an independent producer. His vision for a stronger commitment to challenging contemporary subjects, and expanded touring activity has already reinvigorated the company's reputation as one of the country's most highly regarded producers of in-demand contemporary theatre.

Inspired by Chris' vision and the twenty-five year legacy of Crow's Theatre, we are introducing the company's first ever Matching Funds Program. This 25th Anniversary Matching Funds Program, generously supported by one of our Directors, will generate funds for the commissioning and development of new work by donating a further $1 for every $3 you contribute. Your donation will go further than ever to help us provide our artists with the kind of time and resources that have made our upcoming season possible.

Indeed, our 25th Anniversary Season is one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory and is a true celebration of the history and spirit of Crow's Theatre. Chris has programmed an ambitious season that will see us working with some of the country's top artists to bring a diverse line-up of bold new works and award winning remounts to stages in Toronto and across the country.

In May, Crow's Theatre will premiere a new version of Eternal Hydra – the latest work by acclaimed playwright Anton Piatigorsky, which was developed in our 07/08 season. This gripping literary mystery will play at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and has been invited to the 2009 Magnetic North Theatre Festival in Ottawa. This will be the second consecutive year that Crow's Theatre has been invited to Magnetic North, following the hugely successful premiere of Darren O'Donnell's [boxhead] at the 2008 festival in Vancouver. In October, we will bring this mile-a-minute metaphysical comedy back to Toronto for the first time in over five years.

Toronto will also see the world-premiere of Antigone: A Clean House for the Dead Season, by Evan Webber with Chris Abraham, commissioned by Crow's Theatre and co-developed with Soulpepper Theatre Company. Soulpepper Theatre's premiere production represents a unique development partnership between a classical repertory company and a cutting-edge indie producer.

We are extremely proud to announce that the Crow's Theatre production of Kristen Thomson's I, Claudia will continue to tour in 08/09. This audience favourite will feature two of Canada's top actors alternately playing the starring role. Following her Sterling Award-winning performance in Edmonton last fall, Liisa Repo-Martell opened the season at the Great Canadian Theatre Company in Ottawa; and in April, Kristen Thomson will reprise her original Dora Award-winning performance at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto.

In addition to these productions, we will continue to develop new work as we invite Michael MacKenzie, author of Geometry in Venice, and One Reed Theatre's Evan Webber to join the company as Playwrights in Residence. We will also commit our resources to the next generation of talent, highlighted by a new partnership with the National Theatre School of Canada and a Toronto showcase of works created by emerging directors in the spring of 2009.

I have been proud to serve on the Board of Crow's Theatre for several years, and I am thrilled by the opportunities that our upcoming season presents. With such a talented group of artists gathered together, the Board of Directors saw a unique opportunity to make a significant investment in the performing arts. Through the 25th Anniversary Matching Funds Program, we hope to give the company the means to incubate the new work and new talent it has assembled. Given the current climate of cuts to arts funding, your support is more important than ever. With your help, we aim to raise over $25,000 to support the creation and development of new works.

I would like to thank all of last season's donors and I hope you will contribute as we make our 25th Anniversary a memorable one.

To learn more about our upcoming 08/09 season and the projects and artists that your tax-deductible donation will support please feel free to contact our Producer, Gillian Hards. Further information on how to give on-line is available at www.crowstheatre.com

Thank you for your continued support, we deeply appreciate your commitment to Crow's Theatre. Hope to see you at the theatre soon.

Sincerely,

Tara Parker,
President, Board of Directors

To make a tax deductible donation to Crow's Theatre, send a cheque to:
192 Spadina Avenue, Suite 217
Toronto ON
M5T 2C2

Or visit CanadaHelps.com to give on-line.