January, 2026 Update: Good News! The venue is open again!
Temporary Closure of the Performance Hall at the Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre
In November and December, the Performance Hall at the Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre experienced water damage that impacted the floor and one of the walls. As a result, we made the difficult decision to temporarily close the theatre while the cause was identified and replacement flooring was ordered and scheduled for installation.
The offices, lobby, and the ABC Residents Association Studio remain undamaged and are still in use. The Studio is available for rent.
This closure has impacted several elements of our current season. The first two free concert series performances have been postponed and will be rescheduled for later in the year. In addition, January’s LOL: Laughing Out Lonely will now take place in the Ada Slaight Hall at Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas St E) rather than at the Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre.
This disruption has been deeply frustrating for Tapestry Opera and Nightwood Theatre. During the construction of the building, we invested substantially in waterproofing, and despite this, the issue arose from an unanticipated cause. While the landlord will undertake the cost for repairs and replacement, the greater loss has been the inability to use our theatre space for nearly three months.
We are grateful to our artists, audiences, and partners for their flexibility and understanding, and we look forward to (fingers crossed!) welcoming audiences back in March. Please reach out to Tapestry Opera, Nightwood Theatre or the Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre for updates.
Tapestry Opera Announces Free Underground Concerts: Local and International stars, LIVE in the Heart of the City
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Toronto, Ontario – Tapestry Opera is thrilled to announce the launch of Tapestry Opera’s Free Underground Concerts, an inaugural seven-concert series offering a range of high-calibre musical performances, all completely free of charge. This series is designed to connect world-class artists with the Toronto community, particularly in the Yonge and Davenport area, in an accessible and intimate setting, enriching the city’s cultural landscape.
The series will feature performances from the inaugural artist, Canadian soprano Danika Lorèn,in a November preview of “Slaying My Demon Lover,“as well as a choral concert bySilver Threadin December, as well as international acts including Japan’s Duo NaKaNaKa and France’s acclaimed pianist Maxime Alberti in the new year.
Concert Details
When: All concerts take place on select Mondays from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Where: Performance Hall at Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre, 877 Yonge St.
General Admission Tickets:Free with registration. Registration for each concert opens approximately three weeks before the performance date.
Book November ticketshere or subscribe for first access to all Free Underground Concerts dates.nce date.
“We believe that transformative music should be accessible to everyone,” says Michael Mori, Artistic Director. “The Free Underground Concerts are an invitation to new musical experiences, inviting locals, Torontonians and all new audiences to experience the power of imaginative live music in a welcoming, central venue.”
Silver Thread present a choral concert titled Seeds In Flight
Choral Music
Mon, Nov 3, 2025
Mon, Jan 26, 2026
VC2 Cello Duo Amahl Arulanandam and Bryan Holt celebrate 10 years of collaboration.
Chamber Music, Cello Duo
Mon, Jan 5, 2026
Mon, Feb 23, 2026
The Musical Stage Company
Musical Theatre, Contemporary
Mon, Feb 2, 2026
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Duo NaKaNaKa Piano Recital with flutist Hiromi Tabata
Piano Duo, Flute
Mon, Feb 2, 2026
Mon, Apr 13, 2026
Two Piano Trios, 4 Hands featuring Vivian Chen, Noam Dekalo, Julia Mirzoev Peter Eom. Presented in collaboration with Syrinx Concerts Toronto.
Classical, Chamber
Mon, Mar 23, 2026
Mon, May 4, 2026
Maxime Alberti Presented in collaboration with Syrinx Concerts Toronto.
Piano Recital
Mon, Apr 13, 2026
SECURING FREE TICKETS
Due to limited capacity, attendees must register in advance for each event. Registration links will be made available to those who subscribe to Tapestry’s e-newsletter first and will be posted on the Tapestry Opera website on the dates listed above. Early registration is strongly encouraged as all shows will sell out.
ABOUT TAPESTRY OPERA
Tapestry Operais an award-winning Toronto-based company that is dedicated to creating, developing and performing original Canadian opera. Tapestry is passionate about uniquely Canadian stories, told in innovative settings, unforgettably interpreted by world-class singers and musicians. Tapestry supports emerging artists, develops new audiences and brings Canadian opera to the world stage. Founded in 1979, Tapestry is the voice of original contemporary Canadian opera.
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For more information about Tapestry Opera’s Free Underground Concerts, please email Clay Jones at cjones@tapestryopera.com
The Green Line team visited 877 Yonge St. to learn how St. Clare’s Housing, Nightwood Theatre and Tapestry Opera are using the arts to combat stigma around affordable housing.
Andrea Adams, executive director of St. Clare’s Housing, says her organization is working to fight the “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) attitude towards affordable housing that some residents in Yorkville have since it’s one of Toronto’s most affluent neighbourhoods, where luxury and designer stores dot most streets.
(For the uninitiated, NIMBYism is when people hold negative attitudes or stereotypes about the people who live in affordable housing or use emergency shelters, according to the Ontario Human Rights Commission.)
In response, St. Clare’s, a charity that provides affordable mixed-income housing in downtown Toronto, launched a performance arts space in the basement level of 877 Yonge St., one of its buildings, to make affordable housing more desirable to locals.
Lede image: The newly opened Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre (left) stands as a beacon for Toronto’s arts scene. Pictured on the right: Andrea Donaldson, Artistic Director of Nightwood Theatre, and Naz Afsahi, Managing Director of Nightwood Theatre, who helped bring the vision to life. (Courtesy: Dahlia Katz)
For Toronto’s independent artists, it’s become a difficult task to find an affordable, accessible space to rehearse, create and perform. But, a new venue is changing the game; The Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre has opened its doors downtown offering an accessible space, created with artists in mind.
The performance centre, located at 877 Yonge St., is tucked into the lower level of a St. Clare’s housing building and the centre isn’t just another performance venue – it’s a much-needed space for emerging, independent and equity-deserving artists navigating a city where creative real estate is hard to find.
The collaborative effort between Tapestry Opera, Nightwood Theatre, and St. Clare’s Housing was created not only to offer a stable home for artists but to foster deeper ties between the arts and Toronto’s broader communities.
With rents climbing and rehearsal spaces dwindling, the centre arrives at a perfect time for artists.
Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre Sets a New Stage for the Toronto Artistic Community
The newly launched arts facility and theatre, developed in partnership with Tapestry Opera, Nightwood Theatre, and St. Clare’s Housing Society, aims to support the city’s vibrant arts scene.
In the Performance Hall – L-R: Naz Afsahi, Managing Director, Nightwood Theatre Andrea Donaldson, Artistic Director, Nightwood Theatre Jaime Martino, Executive Director, Tapestry Opera Michael Hidetoshi Mori, Artistic and General Director, Tapestry Opera Photo by Dahlia Katz
TORONTO, March 17, 2025 – The Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre opens its doors today, introducing a much-needed accessible, affordable, and innovative arts venue to Toronto’s creative landscape.
The joint initiative between Tapestry Opera, Nightwood Theatre, and St. Clare’s Housing was designed to provide a new home for artists while strengthening the connection between the arts and the broader Toronto community. It’s an exciting and necessary addition to the city, as rising living costs and increasing scarcity of performance and rehearsal spaces have created significant challenges for young, emerging, and independent artists. Situated in the lower level of a St. Clare’s Housing building at 877 Yonge St., the Centre will become a vibrant and vital cultural hub, offering an inclusive, state-of-the-art facility and gathering place within walking distance of five diverse neighbourhoods and two central TTC subway stations.
The partnership between leading arts organizations Nightwood Theatre and Tapestry Opera began in 2002 when both companies moved into the new Artscape Distillery District Studios. As two of the first theatrical residents, both companies helped revitalize the Distillery District’s artistic impact and cement its status as a popular Toronto landmark.
After 20 years of growth and artistic achievement, Nightwood Theatre, Tapestry Opera, and over 70 artists and arts organizations were forced to vacate the Distillery space. This closure removed office space for both teams and three significant studio spaces from the performing arts community. Determined to find a solution, these two organizations partnered with St. Clare’s Housing to transform a social housing space into a dynamic cultural hub.
“Finding a home and a sense of belonging is vital in these challenging times, not only for Nightwood Theatre and Tapestry Opera but for the many artists and audiences that will walk through the doors at The Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre,” says Andrea Donaldson, Artistic Director, Nightwood Theatre. “We need spaces in Toronto that intentionally reach out for people to gather, that allow for creative dreaming, bold action, and courageous expression.” “As tenants of St. Clare’s—Canada’s largest developer of supportive not-for-profit mixed-income housing—we share their belief that everyone deserves a home and, furthermore, that everyone deserves access to creativity and cultural experiences,” adds Nightwood’s Managing Director Naz Afsahi. “Nightwood, Tapestry, and St. Clare’s are proving that collaboration means we can achieve more together than on our own.”
Designed by Hilditch Architects, with guidance from Theatrical Project Manager Remington North, the Centre is a striking addition that revitalizes a central stretch of Yonge Street. The new facility incorporates state-of-the-art technology that dramatically reduces energy consumption, giving new life to under-used spaces at a fraction of the energy of a new build. Accessibility is a cornerstone of The Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre’s mission, ensuring that as many people as possible can be welcomed into the space and community.
The Centre will host performances and programming from its resident companies, continuing Tapestry and Nightwood’s respective award-winning legacies of showcasing original, progressive works and supporting the next generation of talent. Artistic programming will include a variety of multidisciplinary performances, artist residencies, and workshops. Emerging and established artists will have opportunities to develop and showcase new work, while community members can engage through interactive programming, educational initiatives, and mentorship opportunities. The venue will serve as a home for diverse storytelling, featuring theatre, opera, dance, and interdisciplinary performances that push artistic boundaries. Residencies and artist-focused programs will be available, including a focus on equity-deserving artists, ensuring accessibility and representation within the space.
Beginning with a Launch Concert with Tapestry and Friendson March 22, the season will go on to include Where the Spirits Sit, a workshop production from Nightwood Theatre, running April 3 – 5 and featuring the songwriting and storytelling of multi-disciplinary artist Tamara Podemski; Sanctuary Song, a one-hour, all-ages original opera, running from May 9 – 25; Nightwood’s staging of Enormity, Girl, and the Earthquake in Her Lungs, a physical ensemble piece running from September 16 – October 5, and more. Tapestry Opera is also thrilled to announce inaugural residencies with Cultureland and Opera Q for 2025-2026, as well as the continuation of LIBLAB, an opera creation intensive from July 15 – 25.
“Creating new performing arts spaces that are affordable for artists and independent companies became a high priority for us,” says Tapestry Opera Artistic Director Michael Hidetoshi Mori, “and it is thrilling to see that dream realized. At the same time, we are thrilled to provide a new venue where locals and all Torontonians can experience some of Toronto’s most dynamic music, theatre, opera, and dance artists!” Jaime Martino, Executive Director, adds that the “partnership with Nightwood and St. Clare’s have made this ambitious venture possible, and proven the value of working together and thinking outside the box in these changing times.”
The new facility will provide a vital space for artists to create, collaborate, and inspire audiences for generations to come.
Learn more at jackmanperformance.ca. Images of the space can be found here for download.
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For all press inquiries, please contact: Jaime Eisen jaime@jaimeeisen.com 647.224.9674
ABOUT THE NANCY & ED JACKMAN PERFORMANCE CENTRE
The Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre is a vibrant cultural arts centre formed through a unique partnership between Tapestry Opera, Nightwood Theatre, and St. Clare’s Housing. The organization creates common ground for deep relationships in performances, community gatherings, and events by bringing together tenants, neighbours, artists, and audiences. In the heart of Toronto, The Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre provides an accessible and affordable space for independent creators while hosting transformative theatre, music, and opera performances. With a commitment to equity, sustainability, and inclusivity, the Centre supports emerging and equity-deserving artists through residency and subsidy programs, fosters deep community connections, and integrates state-of-the-art technology to reduce environmental impact. Learn more at jackmanperformance.ca and follow on social @jackmanperformance.
ABOUT TAPESTRY OPERA
Founded in 1979, Tapestry Opera is an award-winning Toronto-based company dedicated to creating, developing and performing original, progressive opera. We are passionate about timely, resonant stories told in innovative settings and interpreted by extraordinary artists. We create space to unite diverse art forms, creators, and communities to develop powerful, boundary-breaking opera that reflects and changes the world. We believe in embedding our values in everything we do, on and offstage, and work to create a flexible, adaptable, and accountable culture for our time and communities. Learn more at tapestryopera.com and follow on social @tapestryopera.
ABOUT NIGHTWOOD THEATRE
As Canada’s preeminent feminist theatre, Nightwood Theatre cultivates, creates, and produces extraordinary theatre by women and gender-expansive artists, liberating futures, one room at a time. Founded in 1979, Nightwood has launched and toured award-winning productions that have shaped Canada’s theatrical landscape, earning recognition from the Dora Mavor Moore, Chalmers, Trillium, and Governor General’s Awards. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Andrea Donaldson and Managing Director Naz Afsahi, Nightwood is celebrated for artistic excellence, developing emerging talent, and championing gender equity in the arts. With a commitment to bold storytelling, inclusivity, and care-centred creative spaces, Nightwood produces full-scale productions, the annual Groundswell Festival, and the acclaimed Write From The Hip playwrights program. Learn more at nightwoodtheatre.net and follow on social @nightwoodtheat.
ABOUT ST. CLARE’S HOUSING
St Clare’s is a social justice landlord and developer working in active partnerships to create sustainable, safe, affordable housing solutions. St Clare’s pursues a vision in which pragmatic, judgement-free approaches to housing are recognized as the best way to enhance neighbourhoods and create healthy communities for everyone by providing diverse and respectful environments in which once marginalized people have the opportunity to expand their agency and capacity. With over 800 units in its portfolio in seven different buildings, St. Clare’s provides deeply affordable housing with supports to thousands of people who have experienced chronic homelessness, and now have a place to call home. The Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre opens its doors today, introducing a much-needed accessible, affordable, and innovative arts venue to Toronto’s creative landscape.
From The Toronto Star– A state-of-the-art theatre is set to open in the basement of this affordable housing complex. It’s also a sign of hope for the future.
A brand new theatre venue and arts facility in Toronto is officially opening its doors on Monday, offering a beacon of hope to the city’s struggling cultural sector.
The Nancy & Ed Jackman Performance Centre at 877 Yonge St. describes itself as an “accessible, affordable and innovative arts space” designed “to provide a new home for artists while strengthening the connection between the arts and the broader Toronto community.”
