EMPOWERING ARTISTS ELEVATING QUEER VOICES
INSPIRING A BETTER WORLD
A COMMUNITY OF DONORS
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is the largest and longest-running queer theatre in the world. Every year, almost 50,000 people come to Buddies to be inspired, challenged, and amazed. They come to feel at home, to connect with their community, and to spend time with their friends.
photo by Kyle Burton
None of this would be possible without our incredible community of donors. In this pamphlet, you’ll learn about the amazing work being done at Buddies through donor supported programs, and meet some of the people who use the strength and creativity they find here to inspire a better world.
A FULL SEASON OF QUEER THEATRE
A VITAL PROGRAM FOR QUEER YOTH
NEW WORK DEVELOPMENT
Ron Kennell & Diane D’Aquilla in The Maids - photo by Jeremy Mimnagh
Every year, Buddies brings a full season of queer theatre to the stage. These productions are consistently met with critical and popular acclaim, and introduce audiences to the most daring, exciting, and important artists our city has to offer.
the 2015 PrideCab ensemble - photo by Greg Wong
Our Queer Youth Arts Program is a safe and empowering space that helps queer young people discover and share their voice. Every year, this program provides free tickets, training, and performance opportunities to over 700 queer youth.
photo by Greg Wong
Buddies supports a wide variety of artists in the creation of new theatrical works. We provide resident artists with the tools to create and the space to experiment, ensuring that queer artists in Toronto are given what they need to succeed.
“Thank you for the opportunity to be seen, the opportunity to learn and grow as an artist. Thank you for allowing me the space to create and tell my story.”
-Tawiah M’carthy, creator/performer, Obaaberima
"Buddies is where my idols and mentors have pushed the boundaries for years. I felt incredibly honoured to receive the inaugural Buddies Queer Emerging Artist Award. It made me feel a part of that rich legacy - like I was honouring the past while helping create new possibilities for the future." -Jordan Tannahill, Recipient of the 2014 Buddies Queer Emerging Artist Award
"Buddies really helped shape me as a queer theatre creator. Being able to work with and around not only the artistic staff, but to also see the care, passion, and support of the production team was truly incredible. Nowhere else have I seen individuals with such passion for their craft and such a desire to support young creators." -Brian Postalian, Young Creators Unit
"I was so fortunate to be supported by Buddies ... If I ever imagined this show anywhere, it was on a Buddies stage. I am hugely grateful and will forever be that it is a Buddies show... This experience has brought me closer to understanding my own creative process and will continue to serve my writing as far as I can see into the future." -Lois Fine, Playwright in Residence, Freda and Jem’s Best of the Week
“Being in residence at Buddies has been freeing and rewarding. The company's support allowed me to grow as an artist. I was able to build exactly the kind of shows I wanted... I've been performing at Buddies for years, but it wasn't until halfway through my residency that I received my first standing ovation here! Having a residency has meant I could build my audience and build my craft at the same time, and that's an opportunity every artist should have.” -Ryan G. Hinds, Cabaret Artist in Residence
“Working at Buddies as artists in residence made us feel valued and respected. We were given an opportunity not only to tell our own stories, but to tell them how we wanted to tell them... The Gay Heritage Project could only have happened at Buddies. We are beyond grateful.” -Damien Atkins, Paul Dunn & Andrew Kushnir, creator/performers, The Gay Heritage Project
“Buddies has been and continues to be a space that not only recognizes and celebrates queer artists, but also cultivates and nourishes their careers. I would not be the fearless artist I am today if Buddies hadn’t been in my corner.” -Tyson James, Young Creators Unit
"I found my experience at Buddies to be one of the most creative and inclusive experiences I have ever had as a freelance artist. I was overwhelmed by the welcome and support the cast and I received from the entire organization. It gave us the courage to take real risks as artists." -Eda Holmes, director, Tom at the Farm
A COMMUNITY OF DONORS “WHY I GIVE TO BUDDIES” “There is no other organization that could take the place of Buddies. It represents the vibrant heart and spirit of the queer community, not only in Toronto but in the country as a whole. Buddies is in so many ways a home to us all, and as such I cherish it with a sentimental passion!” -Jim Tennyson “Buddies has such a special place in both the queer and theatre communities. It reflects our stories and pushes us to reconsider what we think we know.” -Meg Shannon “Buddies has served as a beacon for hundreds of queer kids across the country who heard there was ‘this gay theatre in Toronto’ and because of that there was hope.” -Wes Pearce “Buddies is the beating heart and artistic soul of the queer community in Toronto, I am so grateful for this safe and special space.” -Justin Haley “Yes, Buddies does some of the finest theatre in our city. Yes, Buddies does more than anyone in the development of new works. Yes, Buddies has amazing youth programs. Yes, Buddies is a great place to hang out with friends. Yes, Buddies is a great place for art and queerness. Supporting Buddies is like protecting the air I breathe. I love it - and I need it. -Bruce Dow
OUR ARTISTIC MISSION Buddies in Bad Times Theatre creates vital Canadian theatre by developing and presenting voices that question sexual and cultural norms. Built on the political and social principles of queer liberation, Buddies supports artists and works that reflect and advance these values. As the world’s longest-running and largest queer theatre, Buddies is uniquely positioned to develop, promote, and preserve stories and perspectives that are challenging and alternative. Buddies achieves artistic excellence through its mainstage season programming, artist residency program, and youth-based initiatives. Buddies serves a broad segment of the population who share a passion for theatre that celebrates difference.
SINCE 1979
973,000
people came through our doors
7,719
young people accessed our youth program
2,453
artists, designers, and technicians were employed at Buddies
922
new works premiered on our stage
65
independent theatre companies presented work as part of our season
64
Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations, including 25 wins
4
national tours
1
permanent home in the heart of downtown Toronto, making us the largest and longest-running queer theatre in the world
Paul Dunn, Andrew Kushnir & Damien Atkins in The Gay Heritage Project photo by Guntar Kravis
Evalyn Parry in SPIN photo by Jeremy Mimnagh
Jeff Lillico in Tom at the Farm photo by Jeremy Mimnagh
JOIN OUR COMMUITY Buddies could not exist without your support. We are a registered charity and rely on our community of donors to deliver vital programs and services to our city. There are three easy ways make a one-time or monthly donation to Buddies:
ONLINE
at buddiesinbadtimes.com/donate
BY PHONE
call Mark or Alysha at 416-975-9130
BY CHEQUE
mail your donation to 12 Alexander Street, Toronto ON, M4Y 1B4 You can also choose to show your support in many other ways. Visit our website for information on donating securities, matching gifts, payroll contributions, legacy giving, and more.
MONTHLY GIVING
Monthly Donors provide essential long-term support allowing us to, in turn, provide long-term support to the artists developing new queer work for the stage.
MATCHING GIFTS
Many companies match the amounts that their employees contribute to charitable organizations. If you are considering making a donation to Buddies, check with your finance or human resources department to confirm whether your company has a matching gift program.
UNITED WAY
The United Way offers a program that allows you to give to Buddies by allocating a certain amount of your earnings that is collected from your paycheque (like CPP and EI), and is displayed directly on your T4 forms at tax time. Check with your employer to see if they participate in this program, and if you decide to support Buddies this way please let us know so we can recognize your generous donation.
SHOW PATRONS
Our show and festival patrons are leaders inside our donor community. Their high-impact investments support a the development and presentation of a specific show or project.
LEGACY GIVING
Arranging a gift to Buddies through estate planning is a great way to show your support. A charitable gift in your last will and testament, known as a bequest, can be in the form of a sum of money, a specific property, a percentage of the residue of your estate, life insurance, or RRSP.
DONOR INFO
Buddies issues charitable tax receipts for the full amount of all donations received. Donors at various levels will also receive other benefits as engagement and recognition. Visit our website for more information and to download our latest annual report. Our charitable registration number is 11882 0778 RR0001.
BUDDIESINBADTIMES.COM/SUPPORT