Studio 180 Theatre

10/06/2026

📣 ANNOUNCING THE CAST OF THE FIFTH STEP

We are thrilled to announce the cast of the North American premiere of THE FIFTH STEP!

▶ Written by award–winning Belfast playwright, David Ireland (Cyprus Avenue, Ulster American), and directed by Studio 180 Theatre Artistic Director, Mark McGrinder (A Public Display of Affection, Four Minutes Twelve Seconds), The Fifth Step will feature:

🔵 Brandon McGibbon as "James"
Brandon is a veteran stage and screen actor with credits including, ONCE (Broadway), THE PRODUCERS (Mirvish Productions) and AFTER THE RAIN (Tarragon Theatre). Currently Brandon can be seen in IT'S A GOOD LIFE IF YOU DON'T WEAKEN (Mirvish Productions, Theatre Aquarius, Thousand Islands Playhouse), which features songs by The Tragically Hip.

🔵 Callan Potter as "Luka"
Callan has spent two seasons at the Stratford Festival, and is currently filming season two of HEATED RIVALRY, playing "Hayden Pike". Just announced: Callan has joined the cast of the film, ANY WAY YOU WANT ME, which includes Iris Apatow, Colin Mochrie and Andrea Martin, filming in Toronto.

Darkly funny and emotionally charged, THE FIFTH STEP explores addiction, masculinity, faith, and the fragile line between guidance and control.

🔶 THE FIFTH STEP is a Studio 180 Theatre production in association with Tarragon Theatre
🗓 January 17 – February 7, 2027
📍 Tarragon Theatre, Extraspace (30 Bridgman Ave, Toronto)

Don't miss your chance to see the North American premiere of David Ireland’s gripping theatrical showdown. TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!
🎟 https://studio180theatre.com/productions/the-fifth-step/

09/30/2026

✏ 🎒 🏫 STUDIO 180 IN CLASS HAS GONE BACK TO SCHOOL!

Yesterday, Director of Youth & Community Engagement, Jessica Greenberg, and Artist Educator, Jenna Harris, were at Kipling Collegiate Institute for the first workshop of the 2026/27 season, leading drama students in our new Finding Your Voice: Verbatim Theatre workshop!

Fun fact: This is the third year in a row that Kipling C.I. has been the very first IN CLASS workshop of the school season 🏆

▶ For more information about our IN CLASS workshops:
https://studio180theatre.com/educators/workshops/

🔵 Finding Your Voice: Verbatim Theatre
With decades of experience creating and performing this unique form of issue-based theatre, and inspired by years of integrating verbatim techniques into numerous production-based IN CLASS workshops, we are delighted to offer the latest in our Finding Your Voice series.This three-session workshop takes place in your classroom, according to your timetable, introducing students to the power of verbatim writing and performance techniques and guiding them in explorations of the Big Questions that matter most to them.

09/22/2026

From Studio 180 Theatre Artistic Director, Mark McGrinder:

"The support of Charitable Gaming. Community Good. and Rama Gaming House is indispensable to our company. Making art and fostering connection demands resources and can generate very modest revenue. CGaming funds make it possible for us to do the basics: build the sets, hire the actors, engage artist educators. Surprising as it may seem, the nuts and bolts of what we do can be very difficult to get support for. We are so grateful to be among the many worthy charitable organizations enabled by cGaming."

📷 Photo of Savion Roach in THE CHRISTMAS MARKET by Keemya Parsa

07/03/2026

📣 ANNOUNCING OUR 2026/27 MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION!

We are excited to announce our 2026/27 Mainstage Production, THE FIFTH STEP written by David Ireland and directed by Studio 180 Artistic Director, Mark McGrinder.

Two men. One room.
Luka is new to AA.
James has agreed to be his sponsor.
What begins as a ritual of confession becomes a volatile struggle for power.

Darkly funny and emotionally charged, THE FIFTH STEP explores addiction, masculinity, faith, and the fragile line between guidance and control.

"THE FIFTH STEP is an actor's playground. A taut two-hander that's fast and funny while opening the door to compelling conversations around the issues it explores. I'm looking forward to navigating the roller coaster of shifting power dynamics in David Ireland's fierce tête-à-tête, and can’t wait to take audiences along for the ride." - Studio 180 Artistic Director, Mark McGrinder

🔶 THE FIFTH STEP is a Studio 180 Theatre production in association with Tarragon Theatre
🗓 January 17 – February 7, 2027
📍 Tarragon Theatre, Extraspace (30 Bridgman Ave, Toronto)

▶ Don't miss your chance to see the North American premiere of David Ireland’s gripping theatrical showdown. TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

🎟 https://studio180theatre.com/productions/the-fifth-step/

“One of the most reliably interesting and challenging theatre companies in town.” Toronto Star Donate today and YOU can help Studio 180 Theatre make an impact in our community by … Keep reading “Home”

06/26/2026

"A moment in which I experienced the power of theatre was teaching in a class and watching a student who doesn't typically engage or contribute to the class setting, all of a sudden having almost like an awakening where they felt safe enough to speak up and to join a group and to contribute to the storytelling and the theatre making."

-Yvonne Addai, actor, theatre maker and Studio 180 Artist Educator

🎭 At Studio 180 Theatre we believe that people engage more fully in the world through the experience of live theatre.

🔶 But we need your help to continue this work.

Every donation made before June 30 will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000.

Studio 180 Theatre is a registered charity, and all donations are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.

▶ We rely on the generosity of our community to continue creating bold, socially engaged theatre and accessible programming. We couldn’t do this work without you.

🔵 DONATE TODAY and double the impact of your gift!
https://studio180theatre.com/support/donate-now/

06/25/2026

"[The play] made me feel so seen... I felt so connected to the artist, the artist community in the room, and my artist community at large... It made me feel so human."

- Jobina Sitoh, actor, theatre artist and Studio 180 Artist Educator

🎭 Theatre has the power to challenge us, bring us together and to change the way we see ourselves and the world around us.

▶ At Studio 180 Theatre, we create theatre that sparks compelling conversations on stage, in the classroom, and in the community.

🔶 But we need your help to continue this work.

WE ARE 85% OF THE WAY TO REACHING OUR GOAL! We have just $1,500 left to raise. You can help us reach our goal of $10,000 by June 30.

▶ Thanks to a group of generous donors, every contribution made will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000.

Your support helps bring powerful stories to the stage, support artists and arts workers, engage students and educators, and create opportunities for meaningful dialogue both inside and outside the theatre.

🔵 DONATE TODAY and double the impact of your gift:
https://studio180theatre.com/support/donate-now/

06/19/2026

🎭 "Watching everyone's hard working coming together and the story coming to life in front of an audience, it's just so impactful how beautiful theatre can be." - Shadé Ogbogu, High school student and theatre artist

WHEN HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED THE POWER OF THEATRE?

Was it a drama class? A performance that left you thinking long after the curtain call? A conversation after a show? A moment of connection shared with a room full of strangers?

▶ These are the kinds of experiences Studio 180 strives to create onstage, in classrooms and in our community.

🔶 If Studio 180 has ever challenged you, inspired you, or helped you see the world differently, please consider making a gift today. With just $2,000 left to raise, you can help us reach our goal of $10,000 by June 30.

▶ Thanks to a group of generous matching donors, every contribution made will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000. Your donation will have twice the impact in supporting Studio 180 Theatre’s productions, artists, and educational programming.

🔗 in bio to DONATE TODAY and double the impact of your gift!

🎭 And we’d love to hear about your own experiences of the Power of Theatre. Tag us so we can share your story!

06/18/2026

🎭 "Theatre has the power to create windows into experiences that aren't our own. And in doing so, it can build empathy and empower us to act in the world." -Kim Snider, High School Drama and English Teacher

At a time when political divides are growing deeper and conversations about what is happening in the world are difficult to have, Studio 180 Theatre is committed to producing theatre that brings people together, promotes empathy and sparks these important conversations.

▶ BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP to continue this work. With just $2,000 left to raise, you can help us reach our goal of $10,000 by June 30.

🔶 Thanks to a group of generous matching donors, every contribution made will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000.

🔵 Your donation will have twice the impact in supporting Studio 180 Theatre’s productions, artists, and educational programming.

DONATE TODAY and double the impact of your gift!
https://studio180theatre.com/support/donate-now/

06/12/2026

BARRIERS TO ARTS EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS INCREASES EACH YEAR. Radical budget reductions at the school board level have drastically limited youth access to our productions and workshops, despite a growing interest in our programming. With more structural changes promised for the new school year, we need your support more than ever to provide these essential experiences for our community's most vulnerable youth.

“The STUDIO 180 IN CLASS workshop was an inspiring experience for our students, who embraced the challenge of stepping beyond their comfort zones...the space felt safe for students to express themselves freely. Many walked away feeling empowered, having found their voice and connected with a deeper part of who they are.”

- Jacqueline Paradis, Drama and Arts & Culture SHSM Teacher, Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School, Halton Catholic District School Board

🔶 We’re already more than halfway to our $10,000 goal, with just $3,000 left to raise. HELP US cross the finish line before June 30!

Thanks to a group of generous matching donors, every contribution made will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000.

▶ DONATE TODAY and double the impact of your gift!
https://studio180theatre.com/support/donate-now/

📷 IN CLASS students from Danforth Collegiate Technical Institute at an IN DEVELOPMENT reading for FALLEN STAR and also in their classroom doing a workshop. Photos by Maltese Media.