About Us

Shakespeare Link Canada (SLC) aspires to become a leader in the Canadian classical theatre world.  It is only through utilizing diverse voices that we will begin to understand and reflect the world in which we live.  We believe that diversity is true inclusion rather than mere representation.  Committing to work in a truly diverse environment requires stamina, courage, patience, tolerance, and a willingness to change how you see the world.  It is not easy, nor is it for everyone.

Anchored on this belief system, we envision theatre that, using Shakespeare’s texts, will inspire, enlighten, enrage and encourage change in the world. We make theatre that tells stories that engage the heart. We believe that compelling theatre can only exist when authentic voices are engaged, fear of different languages are removed, audiences are challenged and the experience is fully accessible.

We are committed to contributing to the world and continually seek ways to replenish rather than deplete.

Our History

Shakespeare Link Canada (SLC) was founded and incorporated in 2004 by Artistic Director Kennedy C. MacKinnon as an umbrella organization to support a number of innovative and diverse Shakespeare projects she was interested in developing, both on her own and with the individuals who would eventually make up the artistic core. Through the momentum of those projects and the birth of new ones, it became evident that there was great potential in SLC and our partnership formed as a result.  As we looked around at other Shakespeare companies in Toronto, we saw that both the work we are doing and the work we are interested in developing filled a need and we recognized how unique and essential we are in a city that is as culturally rich as Toronto. Encouraged by this, our work and the support of the theatre community to imagine ourselves as a fully operational company, we have been striving to make that vision a reality. We have established and maintained a dedicated artistic nucleus with assigned artistic and administrative responsibilities, we have begun to develop an ever-expanding company of diverse artists, and we have established an impressive and supportive board of directors to guide us in our vision.  We have been inspired by our UK-based sister company Shakespeare Link with whom we share like-minded philosophies and approaches to the work.  They have served as mentors in producing grassroots Shakespeare and offering programming guidance. They are also willing collaborators and are eager to develop international projects with us.  Furthermore, we are inspiring them to imagine new initiatives for Shakespeare Link UK.

Our Present

Our programming is focused internationally and locally.  The three focal points of our programming are performance, educational and community participation. Our international work varies from the creation of collaborations on Shakespeare-based HIV/AIDS plays in Mozambique to the development of an international grassroots Shakespeare festival in Wales. Over the past five years, we have established strong connections with our international partners, notably Montes Namuli and Shakespeare Link.