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Against the Grain Theatre

A brief overview of a visionary opera company

AtG has grown to become a vital voice in the Canadian operatic landscape. Toronto Life has called us “the city’s most inventive company,” and since our first year of eligibility for the Dora Mavor Moore Awards, AtG has received over 25 nominations. Those nominations have translated into eight wins, including Outstanding Opera production for our digital re-imagining of Gluck’s most famous opera Orphée⁺ (our international co-production between Opera Columbus, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and AtG). The arts community has embraced AtG, and—of equal importance—so has a much wider, more diverse audience of people who may have never considered attending an opera.

We aim to promote opera and classical music to a new generation, presenting modern and accessible productions in collaboration with relevant artists and venues throughout Canada.

AtG was the inaugural Company-in-Residence at the Canadian Opera Company, has completed multiple project partnerships with Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and most recently, partnered with CBC Arts to produce the first-ever professional live-stream of an opera in Canada.

Our annual productions are focused on artistic and musical excellence, combined with strong emotional resonance for contemporary audiences. Deeply serious in intent, we are irreverent in spirit; we want our audiences to have fun. We encourage the attendance of young audiences through informal activities such as our signature Opera Pub and immersive operatic experiences in venues that are less intimidating than traditional theatres.

Against the Grain Theatre is a proud member of the Toronto Alliance for the Performing ArtsOpera Volunteers International, and Indie Opera T.O.

Photo by Don Lee