Vision

Breathe Art Theatre Project (est. 2004)

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.

HISTORY

2003
Founder, Demetri Vacratsis, under the company name Breathe Art Productions, produces American Buffalo by David Mamet in Windsor, ON in the fall 2003.

2004/2005
In the spring of 2004, while producing How I Learned To Drive by Paula Vogel, Breathe Art Theatre Project is 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 first season is called 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 identifies Breathe Art Theatre Project as one of the
“10 best reasons to go see theatre.”
Robert Delaney of the Detroit Monitor calls True West, one of the best productions of the play he has seen.
The Detroit Free Press gives Two Rooms four out of four stars.

(David Court leaves Breathe Art Theatre Project to join the Hilberry, Wayne State University’s M.F.A. Theatre Program.)

2005/2006
Breathe Art Theatre Project establishes Artistic Partners, providing an ensemble approach to producing its season. Artistic Partners include: Demetri Vacratsis, Courtney Burkett, Valerie Bonasso, Sean Coughlin, Sarah Clare Meyer, Lisa Betz, Morgan Chard, Dylan MacDonald and Jane McArthur.

Season is expanded from 6 weeks to 14 weeks. The season includes Tape by Stephen Belber, which runs 3 weeks in Detroit and 1 in Windsor, Dead Eye Boy by Angus MacLachlan (3 weeks in Detroit), and Hedwig and The Angry Inch by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask (1 week in Windsor and 6 weeks in Detroit).

Hedwig and the Angry Inch receives 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).

(Sean Coughlin leaves to go to Rubicon Theatre, Ventura, CA; Lisa Betz goes to Kentucky Rep.; Morgan Chard enters the M.F.A. Acting program at Wayne State University; Dan Roth enters M.F.A. program at Michigan State).

2006/2007
Season is expanded and programmed for all shows to be performed cross-border. The season includes: Closer by Patrick Marber, Wit by Margaret Edson, and Wonder of the World by David Lindsay-Abaire.
Artistic Partners: Demetri Vacratsis, Courtney Burkett, Valerie Bonasso, Sarah Clare Meyer, Dylan MacDonald, Jane McArthur, Kevin T. Young, Katie Galazka, Eric Messing

Marty Kohn, Detroit Free Press calls Wit "Deeply moving...Diane Hill delivers a powerhouse performance."

Bob Delaney, The Monitor: "At it's best, Breathe Art can be very impressive indeed, and this is an example of it at it's very best...Masterfully directed by Courtney Burkett, this is a production sure to prove both moving and memorable."

Robert Bethume, Between the Lines: "Diane Hill captures the cutting brilliance and fierce will of Bearing to the last detail, accurate to the slightest footnote or punctuation mark...A tough minded play for an audience worthy of it's steel."

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