What to Expect at…Outside the March

Looking for information about your favourite theatres? We’ve got you covered! Intermission’s Insider Intel articles showcase one theatre at a time to give you all the information you need before your visit.

This week: Outside the March

What kind of theatre do they produce?

Outside the March creates unforgettable immersive encounters—redefining the experience of theatre for a new generation of audiences. Their immersive experiences are communal, site-engaged and fuse the epic with the intimate, all with the goal of implicating their audiences in the stories that they share. 

By expanding the canvas on which their storytelling takes place, Outside the March bring underused spaces into the public eye and welcome audiences who don’t normally find themselves at the theatre. Over the past decade, they’ve invited audiences to play in a Parkdale kindergarten classroom, parade with Queen Elizabeth along the Danforth, venture to Roncesvalles on an EMS call, follow a piano-tuner into living rooms across the city, weather the apocalypse in an abandoned Leslieville movie theatre, infuse a Davisville funeral home with love, unlock mysteries in a beloved Annex VHS video store, and place a call to an eccentric private investigator service. Outside the March seeks to support new voices who see every closed door—every warehouse, storefront window, café and public park—as an opportunity: a chance to amplify the vital and disparate narratives of the moment.

Location

Outside the March operates in Toronto.

Maeve Beatty and the cast of Passion Play (2013) cross Carlaw Street. Photo by Corbin Smith.

Venue

Outside the March primarily creates experiences in found spaces—their venue is ever-changing, and always a key to the experience. Sometimes audiences will be invited to move through the space, so dressing for movement is key. Expect the unexpected, and prepare to be immersed!

Ticket Prices

  • Tickets are generally $30 (this may vary slightly depending on the show)
  • Discounts are typically offered to artsworkers and students

For more information on Outside the March’s latest shows or to purchase tickets, visit their website.

COVID-19 Safety Information

  • Outside the March is following provincial guidelines
  • All patrons, artists, and staff who attend and OtM production must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination (second dose at least two weeks prior to your visit), with the sole exception of patrons under the age of 12
  • Masks must always been worn indoors, except when patrons are seated to eat and drink
Amy Keating and Rielle Braid perform in Mr. Burns (2015). Photo by Neil Silcox.

Accessibility

Outside the March is committed to creating inclusive experiences and seeks to offer accessibility services depending on the location and nature of a performance. Check their website, www.outsidethemarch.ca for accessibility information for their current shows.

Artists You Might Recognise

Outside the March is run by a group of dedicated and passionate theatre artists from across the country and beyond. Whether you’ve seen them onstage or have caught a show in which they were involved, these familiar names are staples, risk-takers, and change-makers within the Toronto theatre community.

  • Mitchell Cushman, Artistic Director
  • Sébastien Heins, Associate Artistic Director
  • Griffin McInnes, Creative Producer
  • Jeff Ho, Company Dramaturg
  • Nick Blais, Head of Design
  • Amy Keating, Artistic Associate
  • Katherine Cullen, Artistic Associate
  • Michelle Yagi, Artistic Associate
  • Anahita Dehbonehie, Artistic Associate
David Andrew Reid & Jacqueline Burtney perform in Something Bubbled, Something Blue (2020), presented by Talk is Free Theatre in association with Outside the March. Photo by Scott Cooper.

Workshops and Classes

MarchLAB is a series of theatre creation workshops led by OtM artists. Topics include: Design Your Own Website For Theatre Artists, Intro to Immersive Theatre, Playwriting and more. These workshops are highly subsidised by the company and various partnerships to make them accessible for artists. Workshops are offered intermittently, typically twice a year: keep an eye on Outside the March’s website, newsletter, and social media to find out when they are open for applications.  

Where to Eat and Drink

Because their venue changes with every show, Outside the March makes it easy for you to grab a bite before or after the performance. Information of where to eat and drink at each venue will be available on their website, so be sure to check before your next OtM adventure!

Iconic Past Productions:


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Written By

Jessica is a former associate editor at Intermission, as well as a writer, classically-trained actor, and plant enthusiast. Since graduating from LAMDA in the UK with her MA in acting, you can often find her writing screenplays and short plays in the park, writing extensive lists of plant care tips, or working on stage and screen (though she uses a stage name). Jessica freelances with various companies across Canada, but her passion lies in working with theatre artists and enthusiasts.