“Art is never finished, merely abandoned.”
This is a draft.
That’s how we work at 2b. Theatre is ephemeral. The moment we formalize a work in a new draft, it is immediately out of date. Statements on websites, even more so.
But in accepting that the putting into form is always imperfect, we unlock our creative potential to improve; to make a better draft; to make something meaningful and of the moment.
As I write this draft, 2b is nearing the completion of our 2022-23 season. As of now, our 2022–23 season performances have reached more than 22,000 audience members in 11 cities. We’ve employed 97 contract-based employees as well as our seven full-time staff members. And our overall revenues will surpass $1.5 million.
Here are a few of the artistic highlights:
- This season saw us return to touring at a very high level (especially with Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story) with tours to Washington DC, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, Victoria BC, and Parrsboro.
- We produced the World Premiere of Un Violon Discordant at Théâtre de la Licorne in Montreal.
- We developed new works including:
- Red Like Fruit by Hannah Moscovitch (Premiering in April 2024)
- Maridzambira by Shauntay Grant and Hope Masike (Premiering in 2024-25)
- Aquakultre, our much anticipated new music-theatre hybrid starring Halifax phenom, Lance Sampson (Premiering in 2024-25)
- 2b SPRINGboard is a new, local project for 2b: a month-long celebration of New Play Creation in Kjipuktuk/Halifax. In 2023, we produced our first-ever SPRINGboard at the Bus Stop Theatre in April. featuring: the Atlantic Canadian Premiere of Let’s Run Away by Daniel McIvor and three work-in-progress showings of Aquakultre
By far the most significant success of this last season was the hiring of our new Associate Artistic Director: Jacob Sampson. Jacob is a brilliant writer, performer, and a respected leader in our community. His talent, passion, and his rigor have already made a huge impact internally. And although his title is Associate Artistic Director, I’m honoured to say I consider him my partner in all artistic matters at 2b. We can’t wait to share more of Jacob and his work with our supporters in the years to come.
2b is 23 years old. (It’s hard to believe I’ve been doing this for more than half of my life!) We have made it here because of the support of so many wonderful donors, fans, community members, and artists! Thank you all for being part of the 2b family.
We kick off the 23-24 season at Ship’s Company Theatre with Gloria Mok’s Long Distance Relationships for Mythical Times. And we’ll be back soon with more thrilling announcements including details about the world Premiere of Hannah Moscovitch’s Red Like Fruit.
A very happy Summer to you and yours from everyone at 2b.
Take good care,
Christian