Necesssary Angel Theatre Company staff members at an opening in 2023 (left to right: Tushar Dalvi, Leonard McHardy, Kanika Ambrose, Alan Dilworth, Katie Saunoris, and Kristina McNamee).
Backstage at Letters From Max, a ritual in 2023. Pictured left to right: Sarah Ruhl, Maev Beaty, Jesse Lavercombe and Alan Dilworth.
Many arts leaders must learn an array of skills on the job, often unrelated to any previous education or formal training they may have received. Many companies and individuals do not have enough resources or professional development opportunities, especially in relation to human resources and best practices. The Level UP! program allowed a variety of organizations to learn and participate in building a new best practice to support caregivers in the performing arts.
Necessary Angel Theatre Company
Necessary Angel Theatre Company
Formalizing a culture of care
Level UP! Strategy Area: Pathways to Agreement
Pilot Project:Developing a Framework of Care and Care Statement for the company, and establishing a Care Fund
Project Duration: 2023/2024 Season
Continuing to Implement: Necessary Angel continues to utilize the Statement of Care and Framework and maintains dedicated funds in the annual budget for the program through the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons. As of early 2025, the program has been accessed by half a dozen individuals.
Resources Shared:Project Field Notes, Statement of Care and Framework
About Necessary Angel Theatre Company
Location: Ontario
Artistic Discipline: Theatre
Operating Budget: $100,000 to $1,000,000
Necessary Angel Theatre Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Alan Dilworth, is one of English Canada’s most dynamic and innovative original creation and touring companies. Renowned for its bold approach to theatre-making, the company collaborates with artists from diverse disciplines to develop groundbreaking new works. For over 40 years, Necessary Angel has been an influential presence on both the national and international theatre scenes, producing more than 60 productions, including 30 world premieres and 11 North American premieres. Its original works have been nominated for, and have won, prestigious honors such as the Governor General’s Awards for Drama, the Chalmers Awards for Outstanding New Play, and numerous Dora Mavor Moore Awards.
Necessary Angel’s Level UP! Project
Necessary Angel developed a Framework of Care, a Statement of Care, and a Care Fund to support staff, resident artists, and arts workers. With a small team balancing caregiving responsibilities and limited HR capacity, the company began by implementing an informal care program during a production in Fall 2023. Supports included flexible rehearsal schedules, accommodations for caregiving and medical needs, and travel arrangements.
In 2024, the Necessary Angel formalized the program by creating a comprehensive Framework of Care and an associated Care Statement, informed by the company’s strategic goals and shared resources from other Level UP! partners. The Framework of Care underscores Necessary Angel’s commitment to fostering a supportive culture where artistic risks can be taken, and has been integrated into the the company’s onboarding process.
Project Highlights:
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- Developed a Framework of Care aligned with the company’s scale and strategic goals.
- Realized the importance of starting small, focusing on practicality over perfection to ensure the proposed care supports would be manageable and sustainable to implement.
Resources
Necessary Angel | Project Field Notes
About This Resource Necessary Angel Theatre Company created these Project Field Notes in 2024 to share details about their Level UP! Pilot Project. Their project focused on developing a Framework of Care and Care Statement for the company and establishing a Care...
Necessary Angel | Statement of Care and Framework (DRAFT)
About This Resource Necessary Angel Theatre Company created this Statement of Care and Framework in April 2024 as part of its Level UP! Pilot Project. This resource outlines the company's approach, commitment to care, available supports for staff, artists, arts...
More Information
For more information about the Necessary Angel Theatre Company visit necessaryangel.com.
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