Theatre In the Raw

Giving Exposure to Voices Seldom Heard since 1994

Our Mandate...

The Theatre In the Raw Society is a company dedicated to artistic grassroots theatre in the Lower Mainland of Vancouver, as well as to presentations beyond B.C. borders.

We are risk takers, creating and responding to the cultural needs of those in the Canadian and International community.

We want to provide an open, creative, and supportive atmosphere for struggling artists and give exposure to tried and untried playwrights.

Our Mission...

• We believe that hands-on experience in the real world independent theatre is the best way to learn, teach, and perform thespian art and skills.

• Our mission is to provide a venue for new and under-employed performers, playwrights and drama technicians, with a multi-cultural emphasis.

• Our productions represent a diversified balance, ranging from raw experimental to the theatre classics. Relevant productions, exploring social issues distinct to our local community are our specialty.

• We are risk takers, willing to give exposure to voices seldom heard, striving for artistic excellence, in the presentation of unusual, awakening, and exchanging theatre


How We Began...

Theatre In the Raw started out of a storefront cafe called La Quena Café on East Vancouver's Commercial Drive, in 1994. We rehearsed and performed there for nearly three years, producing over 125 one-acts in over 43 nights of theatre...

...For more on who we are, our history, upcoming shows, activities and how to join us, please go to our website at http://www.theatreintheraw.ca.

The Drive Spring in the Step

Drive Mural
Originally uploaded by knightbefore_99

Easter Monday, beautiful rays of sunshine, open patios, coffee bars, people, beer, wine, and great food: This was Commercial Drive the way it was experienced just yesterday. After a good stint at the office in the morning, my late morning meeting with Steven R. Duncan, the creator and contributor to TheDriveIsAlive blog, resulted in us heading out take in some lunch up on The Drive.

After a stroll back and forth we settled upon Panevero Bakery and enjoyed a delightful soup and sandwich meal. The homemade style Turkey soup was very substantial and after filling ourselves we stepped over to Grandview Park to enjoy conversation, new company, and the beautiful rays of sunshine.

In the park, the families were out with their children playing, young people sat around the trees talking, and we parked ourselves on some large boulders to continue our creative brainstorming. Steven R. Duncan, a poet himself, also works directly with the Vancouver Arts & Culture community part-time, and continues his involvement and activities related to Arts & Culture with a strong focus on his current Commercial Drive neighbourhood. Our brainstorming will continue int he coming week(s) as we look to further the reach and positive impact of the LiveIn community sites, how it relates to other Bloggers and sites in the Community (we are after all a Community Portal website).

Creative City, creative people, and creative community describe Vancouver and The Drive very well. The City of Vancouver has a Creative City initiative, alongside many other current initiatives to make the city a better place to live. LiveIn is looking at how to maximize our impact and involvement alongside these initiatives to further promote and empower communities, their citizens and businesses. With a little luck and some hard work, we anticipate being able to secure some funding to deliver more to you!

Welcome to The Drive!