Student Work
Title
Berkeley Street Theatre
Project Description
With the rapid increase in Toronto’s population resulting in a proliferation of cultural communities, the disconnect between sub-districts, especially within Old Town, hinders the potential for a strong cultural identity within the historic district. Home of the Canadian Stage–an innovative and contemporary theatre company–the Berkeley Street Theatre acts as the cultural node that bridges the gap between St. Lawrence and the Distillery District. This is achieved through reorienting the building as a way to juxtapose the old and the new, setting the stage for a transformative experience. Expanding the privatized theater model to act a community center, Berkeley Street provides shared workshops and rehearsal spaces to the local, creative population. Through creating a dialogue between old and new, the theatre becomes the link between the city, communities, and history within Toronto.