Awards & testimonials
Testimonials
Take a look at Mixed Company in action.
When the curtain goes down on a Mixed Company show, the dialogue is only beginning. Here's what a few of our participants had to say after their Mixed Company experience:
FROM GOVERNMENT
"To see a timeless story brought to life, to see drama used as a means of social change, to witness the magic of the theatre - this is what it means to live life more passionately, for our very excistence to be enriched by unique, often unexpected and eye-opening perspectives."
- Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada
"The organization’s success is a testament to the vision and determination of the actors, playwrights, directors and many skilled individuals behind the scenes, who have worked so hard to build a viable theatre company. I would like to commend the Company for its contributions to a richer, more varied Canadian theatre and for making this art form relevant and exciting to a wide variety of audiences."
- The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada
"I know the most recent partnerships you have struck with city arts agencies, educational, workplace and other institutions here in Toronto will continue to 'ripple out' across our city and touch the lives of thousands."
- Mayor David Miller, City of Toronto
"In bringing its performances into schools, communities and workplaces, Mixed Company Theatre has helped unleash talent and creativity within countless individuals and taught many the power of positive change."
- Mayor David Miller, City of Toronto
"I thought the Mixed Company ensemble was terrific. On behalf of the co-chairs, participants and working group, please convey my sincere thanks to Simon (and his hearty mix of talent) for his efforts in helping us present a 'lighter' side of our issues. You are indeed a 'mix' of talent and it was a pleasure working with you. I'm sure our paths will cross again."
- Annie Schiefer, Liaison, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
"Mixed Company Theatre has been using the dramatic arts to empower audiences to bring about positive change in their daily lives. I commend the theatre company for presenting performances that are socially relevant to people of different backgrounds and walks of life. By using theatre as a vehicle for meaningful change, Mixed Company Theatre makes a real difference in the lives of Ontarians, and helps to make our province an even better place to live."
- The Hourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario
"Mixed Company has built a solid reputation in the community through its commitment to popular theatre and grassroots participation."
- Olivia Chow, MP, Trinity – Spadina
"Showdown provided a unique opportunity for staff to have fun while they learned and engaged the topic of violence in a credible and realistic manner. Showdown's ability to provide hope and positive solutions for the very complex problems of violence and bullying was heartening and clearly emphasized the resilience of youth. The material was all the more poignant presented through the voices of youth, challenging the audience to consider the experience of violence and bullying from the youth's perspective."
- Edwina Godden, Central Region Youth Justice Trainer, Ministry of Children and Youth Services
FROM EDUCATORS
"Educating adolescents is hard work—it requires knowledge, humour, presentation skills and most importantly, an understanding of developmental needs. I love it when one of our young people asks an actor to freeze, assumes their role, and puts on a stunning performance on how to say no, or how to be assertive, or how to resolve a sticky problem."
- Ron Gray, Guidance Counsellor, Don Mills Collegiate Institute
"...Your performers are very professional and gifted in dealing with adolescents."
- Lauren MacDonald, Vice-Principal, Parkdale C.I., Toronto
"Of all the plays/entertainers we have had this was the best value and message for the money."
- Teacher, East York C.I., Toronto
"This was one of the best educational experiences bar none that I've viewed in my 22-year teaching career...The control of the actors, the director and the students resulted in a very gripping and charged experience. It's not often that 19-year-old students will enthusiastically endorse a school presentation but this was it!"
- Tom Kriener, Head JCI MPHE, Jarvis C.I., Toronto
"Excellent work! My Students were engaged throughout, and the work continued for two weeks following the performance."
- Teacher, YRDSB
“I have been able to use [the presentation] and some materials from your teaching guide to continue to use lessons from the story and make students think about their own lives and involvement with peer pressure. My students loved the performance and were very much engaged.”
- Teacher, TDSB
"It was a pleasure having Mixed Company Theatre perform at Riddell. They were able to successfully plan and implement an anti-bullying performance that included all of the key messages and strategies for dealing with bullying. It was an interactive presentation with students participating and problem-solving throughout the performance. It was Grades 4-6 age-appropriate and connected very well to discussing our own school climate and how all of us have a responsibility to make Riddell the safest place to learn and achieve our full potential."
- Wes Hahn, Principal, R A Riddell
FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS
"Toronto Police Service's partnership with Mixed Company Theatre created an excellent opportunity to engage communities through the use of theatre arts and assists our ongoing efforts to enhance relationships with citizens of Toronto. Positive community relations improve our effectiveness in keeping our community safe."
- Chief Glenn De Caire, Hamilton Police Service
"...our staff have seen the visible, positive changes in a number of youth that took part."
- Tony Puopolo, Executive Director, Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club, Toronto
"Simon Malbogat brings to the field of Leadership Development a fresh and unique learning methodology developed through his extensive work with Mixed Company Theatre. In a world where we desperately need new approaches to the many emerging complex challenges, Simon's body of work is both timely and necessary for those of us working in business today."
- Colin Funk, Creative Programming Director, Leadership Development at the Banff Centre
"The Mixed Company initiative lit a fire of creativity in the eight staff members who collaborated on the script and courageously performed four real life scenarios about the every day work of front line staff. This approach stimulated discussion about difficult issues in an atmosphere of "no blame" and led to concrete actions we can apply in the workplace."
- Director, Organizational Development, Toronto Community Housing
FROM PARTICIPANTS
" The 25th Anniversary STARS Gala was a sophisticated and intimate gathering of friends and supporters. We celebrated 25 years of Mixed Company Theatre and set the stage for more to come!”
- Alicia Payne, Mixed Company Theatre
"I wanted the audience to change their attitudes towards homeless people. Most have this idea that the homeless are in the streets because they are lazy. But really, most are in the streets because they had no choice. They were caught up in a difficult situation..."
- Maxwell, of the Cobblestone Youth Troupe, on CBC Radio's "Metro Morning with Andy Barrie"
"This project kept me focused on my journey staying clean off drugs, not only did it give me the inner strength, however it also brought my self-esteem up to where I now feel more confident about myself"
- BJ Morris, Cobblestone Theatre Troupe Participant and Mixed Company Theatre Volunteer
"Come and see the show because it shows all different ways on how to deal with harassment and what the worst scenario would look like.”
- Participant in Bells and Whistles, in partnership with NERP