A photo of Teiya Kasahara performing in "The Queen In Me", 2022.
Teiya Kasahara 笠原貞野 in "The Queen In Me" (2022). A co-production by Canadian Opera Company, Amplified Opera, Nightwood Theatre and Theatre Gargantua. Photo: Dahlia Katz.

Our Mission & Vision

As Canada’s preeminent feminist theatre, Nightwood cultivates, creates, and produces extraordinary theatre by women and gender-expansive artists, liberating futures, one room at a time.

Adrian Shepherd-Gawinski and Monice Peter in "Every Day She Rose" (2019). A Nightwood Theatre production. Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann.
Aida Keykhaii, Parastoo Amanzadeh & Nyiri Karakas in "Children of Fire" (2021). A Nightwood Theatre production in association with Aluna Theatre. Photo by Dahlia Katz.

Our Values

Our values underpin our approach to relationships and the work we do. They are reflective of the ‘how’ we do what we do as well as the ‘why’.

BOLDNESS

We aim for inspiration, transformation and discovery in our audiences. Our work and work practices are unapologetic and trailblazing, welcoming opportunities for growth.

OPPORTUNITY

Nightwood empowers audiences and artists by giving voice to varying perspectives, offering opportunities for growth, and a space to connect. This value shapes our hiring practices, mentoring and our desire to share knowledge.

INCLUSIVITY

We are committed to producing art that is driven by - and that gives voice to - a multiplicity of identities, prioritizing those equity deserving communities.

INTEGRITY

We believe in transparency and accountability to our supporters, funders, partners, artists and team members. The trust we build in our relationships is everything.

CARE

Nightwood believes in upholding a culture of care, recognizing the value of bringing our full selves to spaces of work and gathering, where the best intentions in others are assumed.

HOW FEMINISM FIGURES IN WHAT WE DO

A photo of Maddie Bautista & Deanna H. Choi in "Love You Wrong Time" (2023). Photo: Emmet Ray
A photo of Maddie Bautista & Deanna H. Choi in "Love You Wrong Time" (2023). Nightwood Theatre presents a Bad Muse Collective production. Photo: Emmet Ray
A photo of Fatuma Adar in "She’s Not Special" (2023). Photo: Roy Del Sol
Fatuma Adar in "She’s Not Special" (2023). Co-Presented by Nightwood Theatre and Tarragon Theatre. Photo: Roy Del Sol.

Feminism is a series of frameworks, ideologies and movements. Specific to each era, region and culture, feminism is ever changing and evolving, with the ultimate goal of a world where women and gender expansive people have complete autonomy over their lives.

Nightwood uses the following feminist principles to anchor our mission:

REPRESENTATION
Practices that seek to increase the number of women and gender expansive folks, prioritizing those from equity-owed groups, in the creation and presentation of theatre work and in key leadership positions.

PROCESS
Processes that emphasize removing barriers to participation, re-examining hierarchy and relationships to power and creating inclusive spaces for everyone to participate and contribute to the best of their ability.

CONTENT
Producing feminist works by women and gender expansive folks that prioritizes equity-owed groups.