About Us

In-School Performances

Virtual Performances

Ontario Students Reached

*within the 2022 / 2023 season

Prologue Performing Arts is a not-for-profit charitable arts education organization that presents accessible performing arts experiences in schools and communities all over Ontario. We work with a group of artists and artist companies that offer performances and workshops in music, theatre, dance, storytelling, spoken word poetry, and opera, with many programs offered in French or bilingual. We also work with some incredible Indigenous artists.

We strive to enrich the lives of every young person through diverse and impactful performances and workshops. At Prologue, we believe that all young people and families should have access to the performing arts.

Our Mission

To increase access to live performing arts experiences for young people

We achieve this through:

  • Connecting young people and educators to the work of artists in schools and public/community venues;
  • Advocating for equal access to the arts for all young people as a fundamental part of their education; and
  • Collaborating with artists to present a wide range of engaging and accessible programming.

Our History

Prologue Performing Arts has been broadening the horizons of young people in Ontario by connecting them to the world of the performing arts since 1966. It all started around a kitchen table when five young mothers shared their dream about giving access to the best in the performing arts to ALL children in Ontario. 

As volunteers with different arts organizations, including Young People’s Theatre, the Canadian Opera Company and The National Ballet of Canada, these dedicated women founded one of Ontario’s most important resources in arts and education. In that first year, Prologue placed 81 performances in Ontario schools, reaching over 24,000 students; in the second year, those numbers doubled. Prologue now supports over 1,000 performances and workshops that reach 300,000 + young people across Ontario each year!

Prologue Performing Arts Founders

Jane Bishop

Joan McCordic

Mary Mingie

Joan Osler

Susan Rubes

Board Of Directors

Charity Chan
(Chair)

Daryl Deebrah
(Treasurer)
Shannon Dewar
(Secretary)

Aida Aydinyan

Britta Badour

Julie Hanson

Tim Walker

Team Members

Maria Williams

Executive Director

Bremely Karthigesu

Programming & Community Outreach Manager
[email protected]
416-591-9092 ext. 224

Booking of programs outside of Central Ontario
Programming inquiries

Kate Pharoah

Marketing & Sales Manager
[email protected]
416-591-9092 ext. 225

Booking of programs within Toronto.
Marketing inquiries

Shelley Cahill

Finance Coordinator (part-time)
[email protected]
416-591-9092 ext. 222

Billing & payment inquiries

Emma Pagacz

Special Projects & Sales Manager
[email protected]
416-591-9092 ext. 227

Booking of programs in the GTA and Central Ontario.
Special project inquiries

Claire St-François

Development Manager (Bilingual)
[email protected]
416-591-9092 ext. 229

Donation & sponsorship inquiries

Alexandra Morgan

tdsbCREATES Project Facilitator