“How can we sing, act, write, speak, create art with one another in ways that allow for full uncompromising voices to be heard? By having the courage and vulnerability to trust that what we feel and hear will help us grow to be a better community and ultimately a better country.”
— Reneltta Arluk, Co-Director
We’ve done it before, so why change it? Well, we wanted to work towards something safe but still engaging and true to the AtG vibe. We’ve been struggling along with the rest of our artists across our Nation and wanted to work towards something inclusive and uplifting.
Well, Against the Grain Theatre (AtG), in partnership with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO), presents Messiah/Complex: a virtual, multilingual, cross-Canada experience of a holiday classic. Messiah/Complex features diverse soloists and ensembles from every province and territory filmed against iconic Canadian landscapes and will be accompanied by the illustrious TSO conducted by Johannes Debus. Not bad, eh?
Co-directed by Joel Ivany (AtG Artistic Director) and Reneltta Arluk (Director of Banff Centre’s Indigenous Arts), Messiah/Complex will be a way for people to unite, countrywide, through a timeless piece of music with a distinctly Canadian twist. Marrying the diverse traditions of communities across Canada with one of the most popular classical works of all time, this masterpiece will be an incredible way to showcase Canadian artists, their stories, and the beautiful places they call home.