A Fine Balance in the Guloien Theatre. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
A Fine Balance in the Guloien Theatre. Photo by Dahlia Katz.

The Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund

Bringing Canada's Stories to the Stage

The Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund supports the discovery, development and creation of ambitious new theatrical works drawn from Canadian literature. From beloved novels to bold contemporary writing, the Fund gives exceptional Canadian stories a new life on stage, connecting audiences with the voices, ideas and imaginations that shape our country.

A $2.5 million campaign to build the future of Canadian storytelling on stage.

SUPPORT THE FUND

Discover the Canadian literature adaptation circle ↓

YEAR-END MATCH: THROUGH DECEMBER 31
Your Gift Will Be Matched.

$150,000

MATCHING GIFT

Thanks to the generosity of our friends at the Northpine Foundation, all donations received by December 31 will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $150,000.

Your gift will go twice as far this season! Give before December 31 and help us make more Canadian stories possible.

MATCH MY GIFT

 

CanLit 2026 - Great Canadian Stories Deserve a Life on Stage

Canada has an extraordinary literary tradition. Its writers have given us stories that challenge, provoke, entertain and help us better understand ourselves and one another. These are stories that deserve to be experienced beyond the page.

Established in 2022 with a transformative founding gift from The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation, the Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund is Crow's Theatre's signature new play development program, dedicated to bringing outstanding Canadian fiction and non-fiction to the stage.

Through the Fund, Crow's works with writers, playwrights, artists, and publishers to identify compelling literary works and support the process of transforming them into original theatrical experiences. This work begins long before a production reaches the stage, encompassing the optioning of literary works, commissioning playwrights, adaptation, dramaturgy and the development of new plays.

The result is an expanding body of ambitious Canadian theatre, rooted in the richness of our country's literary imagination.

Discover

Identifying exceptional Canadian fiction and non-fiction with the potential to become compelling theatrical works, and securing the rights to bring these stories to the stage.

Develop

Commissioning playwrights and supporting the creative process through adaptation, dramaturgy, workshops, readings and artistic development.

Produce

Bringing these works to audiences through ambitious theatrical productions, giving Canadian literature a new life in performance.

THE CAMPAIGN
Help Shape the Next Chapter of Canadian Theatre.

We are embarking on a $2.5 million campaign to expand the reach and ambition of the Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund, ensuring that more of Canada's remarkable literary works find their way to the stage.

With this investment, Crow's will be able to significantly increase the number of works in active development, deepen its relationships with Canadian writers and literary rights holders, and create a stronger pipeline of ambitious new theatrical adaptations.

This is an investment not just in individual productions, but in the artists, ideas and creative processes that will shape Canadian theatre for years to come.

MAKE A CAMPAIGN GIFT

A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORTERS
The Canadian Literature Adaptation Circle

The Canadian Literature Adaptation Circle brings together a dedicated group of supporters who believe in the power of Canadian stories and their place on our stages.

Through their generosity, members of the Circle provide the philanthropic foundation for the discovery, development and creation of new theatrical adaptations of Canadian literature. Their commitment helps give writers and artists the resources to take creative risks, explore ambitious ideas and bring exceptional stories to life.

With four levels of participation, the Circle offers an opportunity to make a meaningful investment in the future of Canadian theatre.

 

The Literary Circle

$7,500

  • Full Crow’s Navigators benefits
  • Recognition in Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund communications
  • Priority ticket access to Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund productions
  • Invitation to attend one workshop or reading of a work in development

The Storytellers Circle

$10,000

  • Full Crow’s Voyagers benefits
  • Recognition in Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund communications
  • Priority ticket access to Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund productions
  • Invitations to attend two workshops or readings of works in development

The Playwright's Circle

$25,000

  • Full Crow’s High Flyers benefits
  • Recognition in Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund communications
  • Priority ticket access to Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund productions
  • Invitations to attend three workshops or readings of works in development
  • Invitations to behind-the-scenes experiences, including First Reads, and opportunities to meet the creative teams bringing productions to the stage

The Director's Circle

$50,000+

  • Full Crow’s Orbiters benefits
  • Recognition in Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund communications
  • Priority ticket access to Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund productions
  • Invitations to attend three workshops or readings of works in development
  • Invitations to behind-the-scenes experiences, including First Reads, and opportunities to meet the creative teams bringing productions to the stage
  • Group tickets to select Canadian Literature Adaptation Fund opening nights

 

Invitation to Join

Whether you are interested in joining the Canadian Literature Adaptation Circle or learning more about making a significant commitment to the Fund, our Philanthropy team would be delighted to speak with you.

INQUIRE ABOUT THE ADAPTATION CIRCLE

Laura Langlois • Director of Philanthropy
laura@crowstheatre.com • 647-341-7390 ext. 1000

The Next Great Canadian Story Begins With You.

Every great theatrical adaptation begins with an idea, a story and the people who believe in its possibilities.

Your support helps Crow's discover extraordinary Canadian literature, invest in the artists who bring it to the stage, and ensure that these stories continue to reach new audiences.

Whether you are making your first gift or joining the Canadian Literature Adaptation Circle, you can help shape the future of Canadian storytelling.

SUPPORT THE FUND