About the Nonprofit
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Founded in 2012, Shakespeare in the Ruff is dedicated to decolonizing the Shakespearean canon by challenging who creates these stories, and who they are for. The three pillars of our company are Re-envisioned Classics, Education, and Community. Ruff is a collectively run, professional outdoor theatre company serving Toronto’s diverse East End.
Our work strives for the integration of our Five Key Values: Creative Audacity, Education, Accessibility, Anti-Racism and Decolonized Practice, and Respect. We create original, radical adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, seeking to flip the Eurocentric, colonial gaze and give platform to marginalized voices. We push the boundaries of form and content for outdoor theatre. We offer integrated education programs for youth, providing hands-on, one-on-one mentorship with professional artists. We bring together local residents, emerging artists, businesses, and non-profit organizations through our activities to build a stronger community. All of our programming is free or pay-what-you-can, ensuring financial accessibility for everyone.
