Brief History

 Founded in 1978, Necessary Angel pioneered idea-based artist-driven theatre creation processes, influencing a generation of English-speaking companies and artists. The company has always taken a multi-year approach to development, exploring complex contemporary themes, in unique sites and with boundary-pushing scopes. Many of our projects have been widely acclaimed and toured. NA has been awarded the Governor General’s Awards for Drama, Chalmers Awards for Outstanding New Play and numerous Dora Mavor Moore Awards. The company was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for the Arts in 1998.

Necessary Angel has created over 60 productions, including over 30 world premieres and 11 North American premieres. To support these projects, Necessary Angel pioneers an artist-led, exceptionally open-ended development process. We have been privileged to work with outstanding literary figures such as Michael Ondaatje and Timothy Findley. A catalyst for groundbreaking original work, Necessary Angel has collaborated with some of Canada’s most acclaimed theatre artists: Jordan Tannahill, Dairine Ni Mheadra, Daniel MacIvor, Saidah Baba Talibah, John Mighton, Colleen Murphy, Teresa Przybylski, Jason Sherman, Colleen Wagner, David Young, Marie-Josee Chartier and Jonathon Young.

Richard Rose was Necessary Angel's founder and Artistic Director from 1978 to 2008, Daniel Brooks from 2008 to 2012, and Jennifer Tarver from 2013 to 2018. Alan Dilworth was appointed as Necessary Angel's fourth Artistic Director in June 2019.

Necessary Angel Theatre Company has always supported artistic voices, process, and innovation over institutional growth.

As of 2020, Necessary Angel has implemented a series of Artist Residencies that have centered Indigenous artists, artists of colour, new generation artists, and artists outside of Toronto. These residences are part of the NA LAB and have been central to our artistic programming both on the stage and off, and are at the heart of our vision of radical connection.