History
20 years of theatre
In 2000 Gabrielle Soskin founded Persephone Productions as she saw a real need for support and employment opportunities for the many talented young graduates of Quebec theatre training programs. The inaugural play ANNA KARENINA was a resounding success and the company has gone from strength to strength since then.
Persephone Productions became Registered Charity #891803918RR0001 in 2001. The next year Persephone began successfully producing two shows a year all directed by Gabrielle. In 2007 and 2008 Gabrielle performed in a fundraising event, THE LOVE OF SHAKESPEARE’S WOMEN directed by Jennifer Piercy.
In 2009 the Board of Volunteers was formed which has provided stable organization and sound governance for the company ever since. Over the years Persephone has had many dedicated and loyal volunteers whose passion and commitment have kept the company thriving and successful.
To celebrate Persephone’s 10th Anniversary Gabrielle joined Persephone alumni Rebecca Croll, Aaron Turner, Christopher Moore and pianist Ian Smith in a Gala presenting scenes and songs from Persephone’s finest shows from the previous 10 years.
In 2010, Gabrielle asked Christopher Moore to join her as assistant director for Shakespeare’s HENRY V. The production was a great success and soon afterwards Christopher joined the Board and began working alongside Gabrielle in the administration of the company. In 2011 he directed TO BE, an original musical presented at the Rialto Theatre and the following year Gabrielle and Christopher teamed up again to co-direct FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD also at the Rialto.
In 2013, Persephone produced OROONOKO, written and directed by the award-winning Canadian playwright, Paul van Dyck and presented at the MAI Theatre.
In July of 2013, Gabrielle Soskin stepped down as Artistic Director after 14 highly successful and productive years at the helm and Christopher Moore became Artistic Director and General Manager. The 2013-2014 season brought a new look for Persephone with a beautiful new logo and website.
In 2018, Gabrielle presented through Persephone her autobiographical one-woman play COUNTING ALOUD and 2019 marked her return to the company as Artistic Director upon Christopher Moore's departure. BLUE STOCKINGS will be the first production directed by Gabrielle with Persephone since 2013.
2020 will celebrate Persephone Productions' landmark 20th anniversary.
Persephone Productions became Registered Charity #891803918RR0001 in 2001. The next year Persephone began successfully producing two shows a year all directed by Gabrielle. In 2007 and 2008 Gabrielle performed in a fundraising event, THE LOVE OF SHAKESPEARE’S WOMEN directed by Jennifer Piercy.
In 2009 the Board of Volunteers was formed which has provided stable organization and sound governance for the company ever since. Over the years Persephone has had many dedicated and loyal volunteers whose passion and commitment have kept the company thriving and successful.
To celebrate Persephone’s 10th Anniversary Gabrielle joined Persephone alumni Rebecca Croll, Aaron Turner, Christopher Moore and pianist Ian Smith in a Gala presenting scenes and songs from Persephone’s finest shows from the previous 10 years.
In 2010, Gabrielle asked Christopher Moore to join her as assistant director for Shakespeare’s HENRY V. The production was a great success and soon afterwards Christopher joined the Board and began working alongside Gabrielle in the administration of the company. In 2011 he directed TO BE, an original musical presented at the Rialto Theatre and the following year Gabrielle and Christopher teamed up again to co-direct FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD also at the Rialto.
In 2013, Persephone produced OROONOKO, written and directed by the award-winning Canadian playwright, Paul van Dyck and presented at the MAI Theatre.
In July of 2013, Gabrielle Soskin stepped down as Artistic Director after 14 highly successful and productive years at the helm and Christopher Moore became Artistic Director and General Manager. The 2013-2014 season brought a new look for Persephone with a beautiful new logo and website.
In 2018, Gabrielle presented through Persephone her autobiographical one-woman play COUNTING ALOUD and 2019 marked her return to the company as Artistic Director upon Christopher Moore's departure. BLUE STOCKINGS will be the first production directed by Gabrielle with Persephone since 2013.
2020 will celebrate Persephone Productions' landmark 20th anniversary.