Projects are artist-initiated, driven by creative passion and characterized by constant striving for excellence and innovation
Feminist in nature, by inclination and approach, we work to explore the richness of the human experience through a diversity of perspectives. It is this specific focus that sets us apart. Attention to under-told stories is still critical to address ongoing gender imbalances in theatre, and in society in general. LunaSea Theatre Company seeks to give voice to stories and perspectives of under-representened genders and to showcase the rich diversity of theatrical talent while creating essential, world-class theatre in Nova Scotia.
OUR MANDATE
LunaSea explores stories and perspectives through theatre that amplify the voices of underrepresented genders. We produce work that observes the world through a feminist lens. Projects are artist-initiated, driven by creative passion and characterized by constant striving for excellence and innovation. The mentorship of emerging artists by established professionals is a defining part of our choice of work and process.
OUR VALUES
Feminism: The focus and majority of our resources and opportunities will go to women, non-binary, trans and other artists of underrepresented genders working in theatre.
Community: Lunasea strives to best represent the community we live in, and to work with the community we play in. Our approach is grassroots and collaborative in nature. As we produce work we want to include other local businesses and artists, to expand the web of small and locally-owned businesses who can support one another in outreach and opportunity.
Transparency: Lunasea Theatre is committed to demystifying how theatre companies operate, and will always be available to talk about how we function, earn income, and arrive at our decisions for the company.
Anti-racism: LunaSea is committed to practising anti-racism, through education, hiring practice, mentorship and on-going learning.
The Team
-
Co-Artistic Director
-
Co Artistic Director
Ailsa Galbreath (she/her) is a theatre artist based in Punamu’kwati’jk (Dartmouth). She creates, produces and performs. Recently, Ailsa performed in Neptune Theatre’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Ailsa spent last summer at Two Planks and a Passion performing in The Mountain and the Valley and Chased by the Bear. She has worked with Ship’s Company Theatre, GaleForce Theatre, PARC, secret theatre, EFT, HomeFirst, Zuppa Theatre, LunaSea Theatre Co, Halifax Theatre for Young People and Villain’s Theatre. Ailsa is 1/4th of Tea Time Creation Co, a clown troupe who seek to subvert the status quo with wacky fun, through the creation of new work and reinvention of classics. Ailsa is a certified teacher of the ITM Alexander Technique.
LunaSea’s History
In 2006 four established Nova Scotia theatre artists (Mauralea Austin, Mary-Colin Chisholm, Martha Irving and Sherry Smith) with over 120 years of professional theatre experience between them founded LunaSea Theatre Company. Shortly thereafter they incorporated, producing plays from the national and international repertoire, and acquiring charitable status. Their work focused on “undertold” stories from our society and providing an alternative viewpoint to the status quo. The company has enthusiastically staged a variety of plays ranging from comedy to drama, from new-work to classic, from big-cast to one woman on-stage and is consistently hailed as one of the best and most exciting companies in Nova Scotia. Their productions have received numerous nominations at the Theatre Nova Scotia Merritt Awards. LunaSea Theatre’s mandate is to produce plays of artistic merit, which will expand the theatrical experience, highlight the contributions and talents of women to theatre, and to mentor young artists.
Production History
The Donahue Sister by Geraldine Aron
2006
2007
Perfect Pie by Judith Thompson
Talking Heads by Alan Bennett
To Capture Light by Mary-Colin Chisholm
Talking Heads by Alan Bennett (remount)
Girl in a Goldfish Bowl by Morris Panych
2008
Talking Heads (One) by Alan Bennett
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
2009
2010
Woman and Scarecrow by Marina Carr
Talking Heads (Two) by Alan Bennett
To Capture Light by Mary-Colin Chisholm (remount)
2011
Top Girls by Caryl Churchill
2012
The Monument by Colleen Wagner
2013
Estate by Hannah Rittner
Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen
2014
Ibsen Bites
‘Night Mother by Marsha Norman
Leaving Wonderland by Shelley Thompson (premiere)
2015
The Donahue Sisters by Geraldine Aron
Les and Dawn by Jake Willet
Slut: The Play by Katie Cappiello
2017
2018
Slut: The Play by Katie Cappiello (Remount)
The Bitterest Time: The War Story of Mona Parsons by Andria Hill-Lehr and Sarah Blenkhorn
