
01/12/2025
STATEMENT ON ODESA COMPANY’S FUTURE WITH PTAC
January 12, 2025
Odesa Company was founded on November 18, 2022, and with the London Community Players, we co-produced “Dracula” in October of 2023. The show was staged by passionate and talented artists who created a safe and exciting space to explore their craft, and the results spoke for themselves. The success of “Dracula” paved the way for a residency agreement with PTAC that both organizations looked forward to beginning in 2025.
However, systemic issues plaguing the Palace, most recently the circumstances around LCP’s production of Little Shop of Horrors, has revealed an organizational culture and history of behaviour within PTAC that, barring any change, is at odds with the core values of Odesa Company. As a member of the community, Odesa is grateful that PTAC has publicly communicated their commitment to change, but we also know that actions speak louder than words. While our statement today is not meant to undermine or demonstrate a lack of confidence in PTAC’s commitment, we feel that at this time, it is best for Odesa Company to part ways with PTAC.
As an organization, we affirm our belief in diversity as a strength in society; Having said that, we also acknowledge that despite some Q***r and POC representation, at this time our leadership team lacks significant diversity. As we grow as an organization, we look forward to developing relationships with and onboarding artists from diverse cultural backgrounds and lived experiences, so we can better support the creation of art and telling of stories that everyone can see themselves in.
We thank you for your continued support as we determine next steps for our 2025 season.