a space for opportunity

Artists in Residence

Current resident

Marium Masood

Marium is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist from Karachi, now residing in Toronto. She uses various mediums to untangle the chaos of being human. Marium's work ranges from performance art, contemporary dance, digital art, video production, music production, and DJ-ing. Most recently, she was selected for Buddies in Bad Times Theatre's Emerging Creators Unit '22-23, Tarragon Theatre's Greenhouse Residency and Festival, and has been awarded RGTCs from Nightwood Theatre '24 and Modern Times Stage Company '24. Marium is currently an artist-in-residence with Modern Times Stage Company to develop her one-woman show, Hot Girl Yoga.

work in progress

Hot Girl Yoga

Hot Girl Yoga (HGY) is a new performance project created by emerging artist Marium Masood, in collaboration with Erum Khan. It is an immersive participatory performance investigating socio-economic themes around wellness while experimenting with form.

HGY a sparks a timely and necessary conversation, as we are currently witnessing a mental health crisis in North America, the emergence of a trillion-dollar wellness industry and potential privatization of healthcare in Canada. This piece strikes a personal chord for the creators, as it illustrates the wellness industry’s tendencies to culturally appropriate eastern practices and sell them as luxury products. HGY allows us to dialogue about difficult topics using humour as a lubricant in the familiar setting of a yoga class.

Marium Masood

Playwright/Performer

instagram

Erum Khan

Director/Dramaturg

website

current resident

Waleed Ansari

Waleed Ansari (Creator. He/him) is a Queer Pakistani Muslim Immigrant Artist working in the Toronto Theatre and Film industry. His expertise spans Scenic, Video, and Lighting Design for the stage. Recently garnered critical acclaim for his Set and Lighting Design for "The Caged Bird Sings" (MTSC and Aga Khan Museum).

Other Credits: lighting design in Bathtub Girls (Kairos), lighting design in Blood + Soil (Theatre ARTaud), video/ lighting design in Andromeda Genesis (Rhubarb, 2018), props in What We Do In The Shadows (FX) and The Boys 2 (Amazon).

work in progress

Sab Kuch Theek Hai

This is a funny play about a man consumed by unresolved trauma. He gets through the day unable to find a way to live a fulfilling life.

Waleed Ansari
CREATOR
"As the creator, I wanted to tell an ordinary story about queerness, being Pakistani, being an immigrant, and being a Muslim. This work is an expression of how extraordinary the ordinary parts of my life are."
Aaheli Mukherjee
production manager
"As the production stage manager, I am excited to be involved with work centering real identity and existence rarely showcased on stage. This story is messy, honest, romantic, moving, nostalgically familial, sad and ... hilarious - what a privilege to help tell it. "
Alison Wong
director
“This project equally tickles me and moves me. As director/collaborator, I am compelled by the ways our stories, from storytellers of the global majority, can explore the deepest parts of our humanity with agency and joy.”
Waleed Ansari
CREATOR
"As the creator, I wanted to tell an ordinary story about queerness, being Pakistani, being an immigrant, and being a Muslim. This work is an expression of how extraordinary the ordinary parts of my life are."
Aaheli Mukherjee
production manager
"As the production stage manager, I am excited to be involved with work centering real identity and existence rarely showcased on stage. This story is messy, honest, romantic, moving, nostalgically familial, sad and ... hilarious - what a privilege to help tell it. "
Alison Wong
director
“This project equally tickles me and moves me. As director/collaborator, I am compelled by the ways our stories, from storytellers of the global majority, can explore the deepest parts of our humanity with agency and joy.”
Waleed Ansari
CREATOR
"As the creator, I wanted to tell an ordinary story about queerness, being Pakistani, being an immigrant, and being a Muslim. This work is an expression of how extraordinary the ordinary parts of my life are."
Aaheli Mukherjee
production manager
"As the production stage manager, I am excited to be involved with work centering real identity and existence rarely showcased on stage. This story is messy, honest, romantic, moving, nostalgically familial, sad and ... hilarious - what a privilege to help tell it. "
Alison Wong
director
“This project equally tickles me and moves me. As director/collaborator, I am compelled by the ways our stories, from storytellers of the global majority, can explore the deepest parts of our humanity with agency and joy.”
Waleed Ansari
CREATOR
"As the creator, I wanted to tell an ordinary story about queerness, being Pakistani, being an immigrant, and being a Muslim. This work is an expression of how extraordinary the ordinary parts of my life are."
Aaheli Mukherjee
production manager
"As the production stage manager, I am excited to be involved with work centering real identity and existence rarely showcased on stage. This story is messy, honest, romantic, moving, nostalgically familial, sad and ... hilarious - what a privilege to help tell it. "
Alison Wong
director
“This project equally tickles me and moves me. As director/collaborator, I am compelled by the ways our stories, from storytellers of the global majority, can explore the deepest parts of our humanity with agency and joy.”

Waleed Ansari
creator
"As the creator, I wanted to tell an ordinary story about queerness, being Pakistani, being an immigrant, and being a Muslim. This work is an expression of how extraordinary the ordinary parts of my life are."
Aaheli Mukherjee
production manager
"As the production stage manager, I am excited to be involved with work centering real identity and existence rarely showcased on stage. This story is messy, honest, romantic, moving, nostalgically familial, sad and ... hilarious - what a privilege to help tell it. "
Alison Wong
director
“This project equally tickles me and moves me. As director/collaborator, I am compelled by the ways our stories, from storytellers of the global majority, can explore the deepest parts of our humanity with agency and joy.”
Waleed Ansari
creator
"As the creator, I wanted to tell an ordinary story about queerness, being Pakistani, being an immigrant, and being a Muslim. This work is an expression of how extraordinary the ordinary parts of my life are."
Aaheli Mukherjee
production manager
"As the production stage manager, I am excited to be involved with work centering real identity and existence rarely showcased on stage. This story is messy, honest, romantic, moving, nostalgically familial, sad and ... hilarious - what a privilege to help tell it. "
Alison Wong
director
“This project equally tickles me and moves me. As director/collaborator, I am compelled by the ways our stories, from storytellers of the global majority, can explore the deepest parts of our humanity with agency and joy.”
Waleed Ansari
creator
"As the creator, I wanted to tell an ordinary story about queerness, being Pakistani, being an immigrant, and being a Muslim. This work is an expression of how extraordinary the ordinary parts of my life are."
Aaheli Mukherjee
production manager
"As the production stage manager, I am excited to be involved with work centering real identity and existence rarely showcased on stage. This story is messy, honest, romantic, moving, nostalgically familial, sad and ... hilarious - what a privilege to help tell it. "
Alison Wong
director
“This project equally tickles me and moves me. As director/collaborator, I am compelled by the ways our stories, from storytellers of the global majority, can explore the deepest parts of our humanity with agency and joy.”
Waleed Ansari
creator
"As the creator, I wanted to tell an ordinary story about queerness, being Pakistani, being an immigrant, and being a Muslim. This work is an expression of how extraordinary the ordinary parts of my life are."
Aaheli Mukherjee
production manager
"As the production stage manager, I am excited to be involved with work centering real identity and existence rarely showcased on stage. This story is messy, honest, romantic, moving, nostalgically familial, sad and ... hilarious - what a privilege to help tell it. "
Alison Wong
director
“This project equally tickles me and moves me. As director/collaborator, I am compelled by the ways our stories, from storytellers of the global majority, can explore the deepest parts of our humanity with agency and joy.”

Waleed Ansari
creator
"As the creator, I wanted to tell an ordinary story about queerness, being Pakistani, being an immigrant, and being a Muslim. This work is an expression of how extraordinary the ordinary parts of my life are."
Aaheli Mukherjee
production manager
"As the production stage manager, I am excited to be involved with work centering real identity and existence rarely showcased on stage. This story is messy, honest, romantic, moving, nostalgically familial, sad and ... hilarious - what a privilege to help tell it. "
Alison Wong
director
“This project equally tickles me and moves me. As director/collaborator, I am compelled by the ways our stories, from storytellers of the global majority, can explore the deepest parts of our humanity with agency and joy.”
Waleed Ansari
creator
"As the creator, I wanted to tell an ordinary story about queerness, being Pakistani, being an immigrant, and being a Muslim. This work is an expression of how extraordinary the ordinary parts of my life are."
Aaheli Mukherjee
production manager
"As the production stage manager, I am excited to be involved with work centering real identity and existence rarely showcased on stage. This story is messy, honest, romantic, moving, nostalgically familial, sad and ... hilarious - what a privilege to help tell it. "
Alison Wong
director
“This project equally tickles me and moves me. As director/collaborator, I am compelled by the ways our stories, from storytellers of the global majority, can explore the deepest parts of our humanity with agency and joy.”
Waleed Ansari
creator
"As the creator, I wanted to tell an ordinary story about queerness, being Pakistani, being an immigrant, and being a Muslim. This work is an expression of how extraordinary the ordinary parts of my life are."
Aaheli Mukherjee
production manager
"As the production stage manager, I am excited to be involved with work centering real identity and existence rarely showcased on stage. This story is messy, honest, romantic, moving, nostalgically familial, sad and ... hilarious - what a privilege to help tell it. "
Alison Wong
director
“This project equally tickles me and moves me. As director/collaborator, I am compelled by the ways our stories, from storytellers of the global majority, can explore the deepest parts of our humanity with agency and joy.”
Waleed Ansari
creator
"As the creator, I wanted to tell an ordinary story about queerness, being Pakistani, being an immigrant, and being a Muslim. This work is an expression of how extraordinary the ordinary parts of my life are."
Aaheli Mukherjee
production manager
"As the production stage manager, I am excited to be involved with work centering real identity and existence rarely showcased on stage. This story is messy, honest, romantic, moving, nostalgically familial, sad and ... hilarious - what a privilege to help tell it. "
Alison Wong
director
“This project equally tickles me and moves me. As director/collaborator, I am compelled by the ways our stories, from storytellers of the global majority, can explore the deepest parts of our humanity with agency and joy.”

Are you our next Resident?

We do a yearly open call for submissions on our social media and newsletter so stay in touch with us online!

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Current resident

Marium Masood

work in progress

Hot Girl Yoga

Marium Masood

Playwright/Performer

Erum Khan

Director/Dramaturg

current resident

Waleed Ansari

work in progress

Sab Kuch Theek Hai

Waleed Ansari

CREATOR

"As the creator, I wanted to tell an ordinary story about queerness, being Pakistani, being an immigrant, and being a Muslim. This work is an expression of how extraordinary the ordinary parts of my life are."

Aaheli Mukherjee

production manager

"As the production stage manager, I am excited to be involved with work centering real identity and existence rarely showcased on stage. This story is messy, honest, romantic, moving, nostalgically familial, sad and ... hilarious - what a privilege to help tell it. "

Alison Wong

director

“This project equally tickles me and moves me. As director/collaborator, I am compelled by the ways our stories, from storytellers of the global majority, can explore the deepest parts of our humanity with agency and joy.”

Waleed Ansari

creator

"As the creator, I wanted to tell an ordinary story about queerness, being Pakistani, being an immigrant, and being a Muslim. This work is an expression of how extraordinary the ordinary parts of my life are."

Aaheli Mukherjee

production manager

"As the production stage manager, I am excited to be involved with work centering real identity and existence rarely showcased on stage. This story is messy, honest, romantic, moving, nostalgically familial, sad and ... hilarious - what a privilege to help tell it. "

Alison Wong

director

“This project equally tickles me and moves me. As director/collaborator, I am compelled by the ways our stories, from storytellers of the global majority, can explore the deepest parts of our humanity with agency and joy.”

Waleed Ansari

creator

"As the creator, I wanted to tell an ordinary story about queerness, being Pakistani, being an immigrant, and being a Muslim. This work is an expression of how extraordinary the ordinary parts of my life are."

Aaheli Mukherjee

production manager

"As the production stage manager, I am excited to be involved with work centering real identity and existence rarely showcased on stage. This story is messy, honest, romantic, moving, nostalgically familial, sad and ... hilarious - what a privilege to help tell it. "

Alison Wong

director

“This project equally tickles me and moves me. As director/collaborator, I am compelled by the ways our stories, from storytellers of the global majority, can explore the deepest parts of our humanity with agency and joy.”

Are you our next Resident?

Are you our next Resident?

We do a yearly open call for submissions on our social media and newsletter so stay in touch with us online!

We do a yearly open call for submissions on our social media and newsletter so stay in touch with us online!

Stay in the know.

Stay in the know.

Stay in the know.