Convergence Theatre

Convergence Theatre Convergence Theatre creates plays in site-specific and non-traditional venues, and completely re-imagines traditional theatre spaces.

Convergence Theatre is run by husband & wife duo Aaron Willis (actor-director) and Julie Tepperman (actor-playwright), listed as one of Toronto’s “most respected theatre duos” by NOW Magazine. Since forming Convergence Theatre in 2006, they have both gone on to create some of the most innovative work in Toronto. Aaron has directed at theatres across the city, most notably at Soulpepper and Tarrago

n, as well as being part of the Stratford Festival’s inaugural Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Theatre Direction and associate producer at Canadian Stage. Julie has acted at theatres across the city, has been commissioned to write two musicals – one by Tapestry Opera and one by Acting Up Stage, and most recently co-created/co-wrote/co-directed Brantwood, one of the most ambitious site-specific shows this country has ever seen. ARTISTIC STATEMENT: With each new project we challenge ourselves to find innovative ways to push the boundaries of intimacy between performer and audience. We create plays in site-specific and non-traditional venues, as well as completely re-imagine traditional theatre spaces. We invite our audiences to be an integral part of their theatre-going experience by exploring ways to fully immerse them in the world of the play. PAST PRODUCTIONS:

AutoShow was comprised of seven short plays that took place in actual cars. ETC: It premiered at the 2006 Fringe where it was awarded Best New Play, Outstanding Ensemble & Outstanding Production, and was listed #4 in NOW Magazine’s Top Ten Toronto Productions of 2006. A new version of AutoShow premiered at the 2015 Kick & Push Festival at Theatre Kingston. The Gladstone Variations was comprised of four one-act plays that had audiences chasing characters all over Toronto’s historic Gladstone Hotel. ETC: It premiered at the 2007 Fringe, was remounted independently in 2008, was nominated for 4 Dora Awards, and was listed #2 in NOW Magazine’s “Top Ten Toronto Productions of the Decade”. YICHUD (Seclusion) by Julie Tepperman, transformed Theatre Passe Muraille into a Synagogue for Rachel & Chaim’s wedding, where the audience of wedding guests was invited to dance, drink, and meet the family for a “pre-show” wedding celebration. ETC: Following its success at the 2009 Next Stage Theatre Festival, YICHUD was part of TPM’s 2010 and 2011 seasons, was the headliner for the 2011 Magnetic North Theatre Festival where it was nominated for a Capital Critics’ Circle Award for Best Production, was listed #5 in NOW Magazine’s Top Ten Toronto Productions of 2010, and was published by Playwright’s Canada Press. Passion Play by Sarah Ruhl (co-produced with Outside the March and Sheep No Wool) was a 4 hour epic drama which took place at Withrow Park and Eastminster United Church. It won the 2014 Dora Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble.

Excited to be attending a session on Indigeneity and Its Representation in the Arts tmrw (Thurs. August 13th from 1-4pm)...
08/12/2020

Excited to be attending a session on Indigeneity and Its Representation in the Arts tmrw (Thurs. August 13th from 1-4pm), hosted by Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario (CPAMO). Some amazing guest speakers, including Keith Barker, AD of Native Earth Performing Arts. Tickets are free, you just need to register:

The Gathering: Online Indigeneity and its Representation in the Arts August 13, 2020 | 1-4pm via Zoom Shifting perceptions on Indigeneity and re-focusing conversations on diverse aspects of Indige…

Looking to add some art to your life this long weekend? Check out the 12 new Artists whose wonderful pieces have just be...
07/31/2020

Looking to add some art to your life this long weekend? Check out the 12 new Artists whose wonderful pieces have just been added to Convergence's "COVID Commissions Gallery": Featuring the work of: Celina Kha, Chase Lo, Chelsea Russell, Heidi Cho, Jennylynd James (Art By Jennylynd James), Monika Rumbolt (Alianait Designs), Riaz Mahmood, Rochelle Richardson, Roxhanne Norman, Sarah Kaufmann, Tahirih Vejdani & Blackxrose Photography

At the end of March 2020, we put out a call to the public: leave us a voice memo or write us an e-mail telling us about the impact that COVID-19 is having on your life. To date we have received over 50 anonymous “COVID Confessions”. Explore them here, and click on each one to see what art they...

18 incredible Artists have been added to our Gallery!Check them out at: https://www.convergencetheatre.com/covid-commiss...
07/08/2020

18 incredible Artists have been added to our Gallery!

Check them out at: https://www.convergencetheatre.com/covid-commissions-gallery

Featuring the work of:

Amanda Lederle (CreateBeing), Andrew Faiz (Andrew Gabriel), Angela Walcott, Aria Evans (Aria Evans), Courtney Keir, Charlene Rumbolt (Great Caribou Studio), Diana Tso (Red Snow Collective), Faly Mevamanana, Gabe Maharjan () & Merlin Simard (), Jasmine Huang, (), Jess Goldson ( Goldson), Malindi Ayienga, Marissa Trott (.trott) , M.J. Kang, Rebecca Ngọc Hân Trần (), Skylar Cheung (), Vivian Xie ()

Collectively, some of the Artists have made donations in support of the following organizations:

A Different Booklist, AIR Collective, Black Women In Motion, Diva Day, Foodshare, Obsidian Theatre, The Grassroots Law Project

To date, 126 Artists have their work featured on the Gallery. The project will conclude once we’ve reached 200. Check out the invitation to create…

A SHOWCASE INVITATION: Convergence Theatre is actively seeking to support Artists who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour for the remainder of the “COVID Commissions Project”. New creations in response to this current moment, or existing works in any medium are welcome. A $50 honourarium will be offered, as well as a page on Convergence’s new online Gallery, whose purpose is to showcase each Artist, and connect people to their larger body of work.

Please write Julie directly for more information if you’re interested: [email protected]

Read an open apology from Co-Artistic Leaders Julie Tepperman & Aaron Willis:
06/12/2020

Read an open apology from Co-Artistic Leaders Julie Tepperman & Aaron Willis:

An Open Apology from Co-Artistic Leaders Julie Tepperman & Aaron Willis June 12, 2020 Dear Members of the BIPOC Community, our BIPOC Colleagues an...

05/25/2020

Long live The Toronto Fringe! Without you, Convergence Theatre would not exist! Help keep the Fringe going! !

05/25/2020

Long live The Toronto Fringe! Without you, Convergence Theatre would not exist! Help keep the Fringe going! !

The Corona Variations is back tonight! We are so excited for a whole new audience to experience these 6 mini phone plays...
05/12/2020

The Corona Variations is back tonight! We are so excited for a whole new audience to experience these 6 mini phone plays.

The run is almost sold out, BUT we have limited availability May 24, 30, & 31 - get your tickets before they are gone: https://www.convergencetheatre.com/corona-variations

The Corona Variations is nearly sold out! Thank you for all your support
05/04/2020

The Corona Variations is nearly sold out! Thank you for all your support

Big news! Corona Variations return running from May 11-May 31, 2020 for 12 performances only, just 8 patrons (or househo...
05/01/2020

Big news! Corona Variations return running from May 11-May 31, 2020 for 12 performances only, just 8 patrons (or household) a show.
You can get tickets and details at our website: http://www.convergencetheatre.com/

Here's one of our mystery actors hard at work :). You find out all the details on the cast/creative after the show.

Julie, our co-Artistic Director, will be on the panel tomorrow, April 22 (3-4:30pm), exploring how we value art and arti...
04/21/2020

Julie, our co-Artistic Director, will be on the panel tomorrow, April 22 (3-4:30pm), exploring how we value art and artists during a time of crisis. All the details are here:

A panel discussion that explores how we value art and artists during a time of crisis.

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Toronto, ON

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