About US: Profile

Breathe Art Theatre Project
1209 Winderemere Rd
Windsor, ON, CAD, N8Y 3E9
Admin. Phone: 519-254-7622
Tkt Phone: 248-982-4121
Email: BreatheArtTheatreProject@yahoo.com

Breathe Art Theatre Project (est. 2004) is located in Detroit, MI and Windsor, ON, making it one of the few professional cross-border arts companies in North America. Breathe Art Theatre Project produces contemporary works based on the principles of ensemble collaboration that showcases the works of actors, directors, and designers from Detroit and Windsor. The company, formed in 2004 by a collective of actors, directors and designers, is cultivating a history of producing challenging and socially related theatre with an intimate relationship between the audience and the actors.

Mission

Committed to the principle of contemporary programming through the collaboration of Windsor/Detroit actors, directors and designers, Breathe Art Theatre Project's mission is to advance the spirit of contemporary social theatre in its community by nurturing and supporting artists, encouraging repeatable creative relationships, and offering a skilled environment for established and developing artists from the Windsor/Detroit community.

Breathe Art is dedicated to perpetuating an ethic of mutual respect within our communities and across our borders.

Current Artistic Partners

Demetri Vacratsis, Courtney Burkett, Valerie Bonasso, Jane McArthur, Kevin Young, Katie Galazka, Joel Mitchell, Aaron T. Moore, and Sergio Forest [TOP]

HISTORY

In September of 2003, in Windsor, ON, Demetri Vacratsis produced American Buffalo under the name of Breathe Art Productions. In the spring of 2004, while producing How I Learned To Drive by Paula Vogel, Courtney Burkett approached Demetri about transferring the show to The Studio at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. From that production, Breathe Art Theatre Project was formed by Demetri Vacratsis, Courtney Burkett, Valerie Bonasso and David Court, with the intention of producing contemporary works across the Windsor/Detroit border, using talent from both cities and countries.

The 2004-2005 Season was labeled an “Open Border Initiative,” running 4 weeks in Windsor with The Mercy Seat by Neil LaBute and True West by Sam Shepard, and 2 weeks in Detroit with Two Rooms by Lee Blessing.

In December of 2004, Marty Kohn of the Detroit Free Press identified Breathe Art Theatre Project as one of the “10 best reasons to go see theatre.” Robert Delaney of the Detroit Monitor called True West, one of the best productions of the play he has seen, and The Detroit Free Press gave Two Rooms four out of four stars. In Windsor, Breathe Art performed at the Capitol Theatre, and 1515 Broadway became its Detroit home.

In 2005, Breathe Art Theatre Project established Artistic Partners, providing an ensemble approach to producing its seasons. The 2005-2006 Season expanded from 6 weeks to 14 weeks, with shows performing across the Canadian and American border. The season included Tape by Stephen Belber, Dead Eye Boy by Angus MacLachlan, and Hedwig and The Angry Inch by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask. Hedwig and the Angry Inch received nominations for Best Play with Lesbian and Gay Themes (Wilde Award), Best Actor – Kevin T. Young (Wilde Award), and Best Duo – Kevin Young and Katie Galazka (Detroit Free Press Theatre Awards). The 2005-2006 Season established a reputation for Breathe Art of producing high-quality performances, with socially charged issues. [TOP]

The 2006-2007 once again expanded Breathe Art’s schedule, with all shows programmed to be performed across the Windsor and Detroit border. Breathe Art moved into its new Detroit space at The Furniture Factory, and by the end of the season, would take home at Mackenzie Hall in Windsor. Diane Hill would win Breathe Art’s first Best Actress Wilde Award for her portrayal of Vivian Bearing in Wit by Margaret Edson.

Now in its 5th season, Breathe Art Theatre Project continues to receive critical recognition from media, theater critics, and audiences alike. While Breathe Art continues to live up to its many accolades, the company has not lost sight of its original vision. Breathe Art remains committed to producing dynamic and exciting theater, while telling contemporary stories that affect our daily lives. [TOP]

Past Productions

2008-2009
Desire, Desire, Desire by Christopher Durang; directed by Kevin T. Young
Nocturne by Adam Rapp; directed by Demetri Vacratsis
Raised In Captivity by Nicky Silver; directed by Demetri Vacratsis
W.A.S.P. by Steve Martin; directed by Demetri Vacratsis
The Wild Goose by John Patrick Shanley; directed by Andrew Huff, Joel Mitchell and Demetri Vacratsis

2007-2008
Wasp by Steve Martin; directed by Kevin T. Young
The Pillowman by Martin McDounaugh; directed by Andrew Huff
As Bees In Honey Drown by Douglas Carter Beane; directed by Courtney Burkett
Oleanna by David Mamet; directed by Demetri Vacratsis
The Play About The Baby by Edward Albee; directed by Courtney Burkett

2006-2007
For Whom The Southern Belle Tolls by Christopher Durang; directed by Eric Gutman
Philadelphia by David Sedaris; directed by Katie Galazka
The Actor’s Nightmare by Christopher Durang; directed by Mark Robson
Closer by Patrick Marber; directed by Demetri Vacratsis
Wit by Margaret Edson; directed by Courtney Burkett
Wonder of The World by David Lindsay Abaire; directed by Kevin T. Young

2005-2006
Four Dogs and A Bone by John Patrick Shanley; directed by Morgan Chard
The Wild Goose by John Patrick Shanley; directed by Morgan Chard
Tape by Stephen Belber; directed by Demetri Vacratsis
Dead Eye Boy by Angus MacLachlan; directed by Dan Roth
Hedwig and The Angry Inch; directed by Valerie Bonasso [TOP]

2004-2005
The Mercy Seat by Neil Labute; directed by Courtney Burkett
True West by Sam Shepard; directed by Valerie Bonasso
Two Rooms by Lee Blessing; directed by Demetri Vacratsis

Pilot Season
American Buffalo by David Mamet; directed by Demetri Vacratsis
How I Learned To Drive by Paula Vogel; directed by Demetri Vacratsis

Current and Past Artistic Partners
Demetri Vacratsis (2003-present)
Courtney Burkett (2004-present)
Valerie Bonasso (2004-present)
Jane MacArthur (2005-present)
Kevin T. Young (2006-present)
Katie Galazka (2006-present)
Sarah Clare Meyer (2005-2007)
Dylan McDonald (2005-2007)
Sergio Forest (2008-present)
Joel Mitchell (2008-present)
Aaron T. Moore (2008-present)
Lisa Betz (2005-2006)
Morgan Chard (2005-2006)
Sean Coughlin (2005-2006)
David Court (2004-2005)
Eric Messing (2006-2007)
Dan Roth (2005-2006)