Theatre Direct has received $699,700 from the federal Feminist Response and Recovery Fund for the Balancing Act initiative Level UP! The Minister of Women and Gender Equality Maryam Monsef made the announcement Thursday, July 29. Theatre Direct was one of 237 organizations across Canada to receive funding from this 35 million dollar federal investment in women’s employment and leadership.

With this funding for Level UP!, Balancing Act will be able to recruit and support 70 arts organizations over this three-year pan-Canadian project, piloting strategies that support women, parents, and caregivers in the performing arts. It will culminate in the development of 50 policies and practices, and a week-long conference hosted by a different Women and Gender Equality Canada region each day.

Theatre Direct is excited to collaborate with partners Toronto Alliance of the Performing Arts (TAPA) and the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) (among others to be announced) for this important initiative. Stay tuned for full details to be shared on September 1 via PACTcon 2021.