Necessary Angel Theatre Company

05/27/2026

After 23 incredible years, we’re celebrating the amazing Leonard McHardy as he heads into a well-deserved retirement. 💛

Since joining Necessary Angel in 2003, Leonard has served as a board member, chair, and for the past nine years, our Development and Communications Coordinator, helping shape and support the company in countless ways.

A true champion of Toronto theatre, Leonard’s impact extends far beyond NA, from co-founding the beloved TheatreBooks with his partner John Harvey to establishing the Leonard McHardy and John Harvey Award recognizing arts administrators across the industry. In 2024, TAPA honoured Leonard with the Silver Ticket Award for his lifelong contributions to the performing arts.

Leonard, thank you for your leadership, generosity, and unwavering dedication to our community. We will miss you so much, though we know you’ll never be far from Necessary Angel. 💫

03/03/2026

In development news, Necessary Angel Theatre Company, in partnership with Goethe-Institut Toronto, has commissioned acclaimed translator David Tushingham to create the English translation of Roland Schimmelpfennig’s epic five-play cycle Anthropolis!

A bold reimagining of the founding of Thebes and its fateful inhabitants, Anthropolis breathes new life into the ancient tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides—with striking echoes of democracy under siege today. Learn more: https://www.necessaryangel.com/news

01/27/2026

Join the NA LAB Resident Artist program! Applications are now open for our next Playwright in Residence (two-year residency), and Artist in Residence (one-year residency). Learn more here, and apply by Feb. 28: https://www.necessaryangel.com/na-lab-applcations

01/05/2026

Interested in developing your work with Necessary Angel? OAC Recommender Grant submissions close on January 9 📢

OAC Recommender Grants for Theatre Creators are a fantastic opportunity to help you develop new work. At Necessary Angel, we're interested in new work (plays, theatre creations, interdisciplinary performance works, etc) from artists exploring the shifting nature of connection and identity through theatre, artists/art which asks the question: who are we now?, and artists exploring the human condition through their work.

📝We ask for your C.V. and a brief script sample with your application - see link below. We're excited to read about your newest creations!

⏰ Applications due January 9, 2026 at 1pm EST.

Email Kanika with any questions: kanika [@] necessaryangel [dot] com

Necessary Angel is proud to be a recommender for OAC Recommender Grant Program. This is a third party recommender program to assist theatre creators in the development of new work. Please see arts.on.ca/grants/recommender-grants-for-theatre-creators for more information on the program and how to app...

12/13/2025

Catch us at Berkeley Street Theatre ⛵️Today at 2:00 and 7:30 and Tomorrow at 2:00!

Tickets at CanadianStage.com

12/02/2025

Giving Tuesday is today — and your support is vital. ❤️

Your donation to Necessary Angel helps connect Canadian theatre artists with the resources they need for creation, experimentation, and innovation.

From our mainstage productions to Artist Residencies in The NA LAB, your gift directly fuels the development of bold new Canadian voices.

Today, we’re asking you to make a Giving Tuesday contribution to help artists create radical, innovative work.
Thank you for supporting our ongoing mission. 🙏

https://www.necessaryangel.com/support-us

11/28/2025

Ok we caved. Couldn't let Black Friday pass without giving you a deal!!!

Use code MSBlackFriday to get 2-for-1 seats in Sections A & A+ for Moonlight Schooner.

This Necessary Angel production at Canadian Stage, created in partnership with Canadian Stage and Tarragon Theatre, is waiting to welcome you. 🌙🚢

Act fast — this offer ends tomorrow!

Photo credit - Tony Ofori by Dahlia Katz

Tickets at CanadianStage.com

11/18/2025

It’s May Day 1958. A group of Black sailors are stranded on St. Kitts after a terrible storm. As the looming unknowns of imperialism threaten their dreams of a better future, they seize one responsibility-free night on the town.

A Necessary Angel Theatre Company Production In Association with Canadian Stage and Tarragon Theatre, Moonlight Schooner brings this story to the stage with power and urgency.

Canadian Stage - Berkeley Street Theatre
Visit CanadianStage.com to purchase tickets!

Check out our trailer!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFZEY85FsKc

It’s May Day 1958. A group of Black sailors are stranded on St. Kitts after a terrible storm. As the looming unknowns of imperialism threaten their dreams of...

11/08/2025

Use code Moonlight25 for tickets in the first week of performances!

https://www.canadianstage.com/shows-events/season/moonlight-schooner

Tarragon Elsewhere 🎭 From Dora Award-winning playwright Kanika Ambrose and visionary director Sabryn Rock comes 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 - a sprawling tale of a Caribbean sailor's search for a living.

A Necessary Angel Theatre Company Production in Association with Canadian Stage and Tarragon Theatre
🗓️ Onstage at Berkeley Street Theatre from Nov 21 - Dec 14

🎟️ Click the link for more information: https://bit.ly/4qPuaXs

09/24/2025

One of the most anticipated plays of the fall has a powerhouse cast to match: Nehassaiu deGannes, danjelani ellis, Daren A. Herbert, Tony Ofori, and Jamie Robinson will bring to life the world premiere of MOONLIGHT SCHOONER by Kanika Ambrose, directed by Sabryn Rock!

MOONLIGHT SCHOONER hits the stage Nov. 21 at Canadian Stage's Berkeley Street Theatre, and tickets are flying. Visit NecessaryAngel.com to see the full team, and purchase tix.

It’s May Day 1958. A small group of Black sailors are stranded on the island of St. Kitts after a terrible storm. The sailors indulge in  a responsibility-free night on the town, as the looming unknowns of imperialism threaten their dreams of a better future.