Soup Can Theatre

The Three Ships Collective – with the support of Soup Can Theatre – is delighted to announce the return of A Christmas Carol! Now in its seventh festive year, the immersive and award-winning production will once again transform the historic and picturesque Campbell House Museum, filling it with mirth, music, and merriment!

“★★★★★ … Brilliant … One-of-a-Kind!” – So Sumi (Glenn Sumi)

“★★★★★ … A Must-See!” – Stage Door

Performances run from December 6, 2025 to January 6, 2026. Capacity is limited and tickets are already selling briskly, so don’t delay – book yours now! More information can be found on our website at www.ChristmasCarolTO.com.

While we have your attention, we hope you will indulge us by taking an extra minute to read about an important new initiative we are introducing this year…

A Christmas Carol is one of Toronto’s cherished holiday traditions and has been enjoyed by thousands of audience members over our seven-year history. It is, however, something of a miracle that we are able to present it at all given the unique realities of our production:

Our cast of fifteen is larger than most professional theatre productions, and that number doesn’t even include the dedicated members of the creative and production team working behind the scenes. The historic and immersive setting of the Campbell House is one of the elements that makes our presentation so intimate and magical, but also means that our audience capacity is a mere fraction of that of a traditional theatrical venue and significantly limits our potential revenue – even with sold-out performances. To give you some perspective, the Princess of Wales Theatre, just a few blocks away, can accommodate approximately 70 times as many patrons per performance as we can.

Furthermore, we produce this show without the financial assistance of any major corporate sponsors, governmental entities, granting bodies, or other similar funding on which larger theatre companies typically rely.

In spite of these challenges, we have endeavoured to keep our tickets moderately priced (and, on average, below what most other professional theatres in Toronto charge) to ensure that our production remains accessible to as wide an audience as possible. In keeping with the spirit and tenets of A Christmas Carol we also maintain a tradition of charitable engagement; we are once again pleased to be partnering with ZoomerMedia (The New Classical FM, Zoomer Radio) and will be donating a portion of all ticket sales to their Holiday Hope Fund in support of individuals and families facing hunger and homelessness.

The reality is that, like so many independent theatre productions, A Christmas Carol is very much a labour of love. Bringing it to life is a joyful experience, but none of the performers or production team members receive anywhere near the compensation they deserve. What modest surplus is left after our significant production expenses are accounted for is shared between all the artists involved and typically amounts to an honorarium that, if divided hourly, falls far short of minimum wage. This is compounded by the fact that most theatre artists are forced to supplement their income with part-time jobs in other sectors, and participating in a show often means having to turn down better-paid work in the name of art.

For these reasons, we have introduced our Adopt-a-Performance Program; we invite firms, organizations, and individuals who have the means to make more sizable donations to “adopt” one of our 36 performances with a financial contribution of $950 or more. Doing so will mean that the hard-working artists of A Christmas Carol are fairly compensated for their time, effort, and talent. This, in turn, will ensure we remain a viable annual tradition and that we can continue to share the joy and humanity that have become the hallmarks of our big little show and a glimmer of light in these dark times.

Depending on the success of the program, it may allow us to pursue other initiatives on our wish-list, such as subsidized tickets for low-income communities and/or pay-what-you-can performances, and school group performances with talk-backs.

In exchange for adopting a performance, we can offer a number of unique in-person and online perks including:

• Two complimentary tickets to your adopted performance.
• A special ‘Thank You’ delivered at the top of the show acknowledging your support of that performance.
• An insert in the show programme acknowledging your support of that performance.
• A private post-show meet-and-greet with members of the cast and/or creative team (e.g. Director, Playwright).
• Your name, logo, and website link (if applicable) included on both the sponsor page of our website and in the sponsor footer of our website (visible on every page).
• A special ‘Thank You’ via our social media channels and e-newsletter, acknowledging your support.

If you are willing to adopt six or more performances (i.e. a contribution of $5,700 or more) we can offer you a special bonus benefit: As part of our charitable partnership with ZoomerMedia, they will be promoting A Christmas Carol on air via The New Classical FM, Zoomer Radio, as well as through their Listener Newsletters, and on BlogTO; in addition to all the perks listed above, your support would be acknowledged by name in the aforementioned announcements and articles – a significant advertising value. This is in addition to our usual publicity efforts which includes outreach to over 350 Toronto-based media outlets and journalists and drives significant traffic to our website. Please note that we can only offer this special ZoomerMedia benefit to the first two donors willing to commit to adopting six or more performances.

As we are an unincorporated artists’ collective operating on a not-for-profit basis, we are currently unable to issue charitable tax receipts (although this may change in future). However, since the majority of the benefits we can provide are promotional in nature, a contribution to the Adopt-a-Performance Program may be considered a marketing expense and, as such, still be tax deductible.

If you are interested in adopting one or more performances, either individually or by way of a firm or organization you are affiliated with, or if you simply want more information, please send a brief message to co-producer Justin Haigh at justin@christmascarolto.com and we will follow up shortly. We would love to hear from you!

If you are not in a position to meet our ask for the Adopt-a-Performance Program but still wish to support the artists of A Christmas Carol with a smaller donation, you can do so via our GoFundMe Campaign. We are grateful for any contribution you can offer; every dollar counts and no amount is too small!

We thank you in advance for your kindness, generosity, and support.

Sincerely,

The Members of the Three Ships Collective

The Three Ships Collective, with the support of Soup Can Theatre, is holding auditions for the upcoming remount of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, directed by Sare Thorpe (they/them) and written by Justin Haigh (he/him).

Now in its seventh year, A CHRISTMAS CAROL is a highly original, immersive, and critically acclaimed adaptation of Charles Dickens’ story, staged in the historic Campbell House Museum at Queen and University in downtown Toronto. Our production invites audiences to step into the world of Victorian London and follow flinty miser Ebenezer Scrooge on his ghostly journey of redemption. For more information about the show, please visit our website (christmascarolto.com) and/or read our reviews (including NNNNN from NOW Magazine) on our press page (https://christmascarolto.com/about/press-reviews/).

Click HERE to see the full audition posting!

It’s officially fall and spooky season is in full swing, which can only mean one thing…. it’s time to hold auditions for the 2024 remount of the Three Ships Collective’s immersive A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Campbell House Museum, supported by us! All audition and production details can be found here. Deadline to submit is Oct 2nd at 11:59pm. Get yours in today!

A CHRISTMAS CAROL has returned to the Campbell House Museum, and is already sold out! To be added to our ticket waitlist, please fill out this form to be notified by email if any any additional tickets become available. Even if none do, we will be sure to contact you when details of our 2024 production are announced! You can learn all about the show on its official website, ChristmasCarolTO.com.

We also encourage you to follow us on social media and/or subscribe to our e-newsletter to stay in the loop about A Christmas Carol and our other activities. If you are in a position to do so, we also invite you to consider making a contribution to our GoFundMe campaign or make a bid on one of the prizes in our Holiday Silent Auction, so we can keep this tradition alive!

The Three Ships Collective, with our support, is holding auditions for the upcoming remount of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, directed by Sare Thorpe and written by Justin Haigh!

Now in its fifth year, A CHRISTMAS CAROL is a highly original, immersive, and critically acclaimed adaptation of Charles Dickens’ story, staged in the historic Campbell House Museum at Queen and University in downtown Toronto. Our production invites audiences to step into the world of Victorian London and follow flinty miser Ebenezer Scrooge on his ghostly journey of redemption. For more information about the show, please visit the show’s website and/or read past reviews (including NNNNN from NOW Magazine) here (photo of 2022 cast by Laura Dittmann).

We are actively interested in seeing Union and Non-Union artists from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, all gender identities and expressions, all abilities, all body types, and ages 20 and up. All actors will be playing multiple roles (except for Scrooge and Marley). Ability to do a British accent is a must. Experience performing Shakespeare/other classical texts, and ability to sing are both assets. The casting of the characters below is open to artists of all genders. In accordance with our Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Initiative, we welcome all submissions but strongly encourage IBPOC artists to apply.

PLEASE NOTE: characters not listed below have already been cast with actors returning from previous productions.

ROLES TO BE CAST

YOUNG EBENEZER / ENSEMBLE – Scrooge as a young man; reserved, but more vulnerable and less hardened than his elder self.

BOB CRATCHIT / ENSEMBLE – A modest and good-humoured family man pained by his son’s illness.

JACOB MARLEY – The wry spectre of Scrooge’s deceased business partner; a supernatural guide and constant observer. Also acts as the audience guide through the house.

EMILY CRATCHIT / ENSEMBLE – Bob’s Wife; a loving wife and mother. A practical woman not afraid to speak her mind.

MRS. DILBER / ENSEMBLE – Scrooge’s housekeeper; a no-nonsense woman with steely resolve and a champion of the less fortunate.

VIOLINIST / TBD / ENSEMBLE – In addition to supporting the musical elements of the show, the actor-violinist will also play at least one narrative character; in past iterations that has often been the ‘Ghost of Christmases Past’ but may be any open part depending on the fit.

GHOST OF CHRISTMASES PAST / ENSEMBLE – A calm and gentle ethereal presence.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT / ENSEMBLE – Jolly, boisterous, and larger than life.

FEZZIWIG / ENSEMBLE – Young Scrooge’s boss and a fatherly figure; kind, joyful, and the life of the party.

LYDIA BERRYMAN / ENSEMBLE – The bold and headstrong teenage daughter of a man indebted to Scrooge.

Ensemble Roles include business associates, party guests, ghosts, and voices of the past.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Please send your headshot and resume to ThreeShipsCollective@gmail.com with “A Christmas Carol – 2023 Auditions” in the subject line. We are accepting submissions from both Union and Non-Union artists. Please note in your email your union status, and what role(s) you are interested in regardless of gender. The deadline to submit is Tues Oct 3rd at 11:59pm. Submitting early is encouraged.

Selected candidates will be sent sides and details on the audition time, date, and location. Auditions will be held in person between Oct 10-15th. Arrangements can be made to audition via Zoom if necessary.

While we greatly appreciate everyone’s interest in this production, due to time constraints, only those selected to audition will be notified.

CONTRACT & PAYMENT

This production will operate under an open-book profit share. We are accepting both Union and Non-Union artists under a CAEA Artists Collective Policy. Actors will receive a minimum guaranteed fee of $500 plus 1 share of the profit; last year actors received approximately $825 in total compensation. We recognize that this is less than the compensation of other CAEA agreements, but the intimate nature of this show limits the revenue we can generate from ticket sales (even with a sold-out run) and we want to be transparent about expectations. Having said that, we are actively pursuing sponsorships and will be running a fundraising campaign in an effort to boost our anticipated revenue.

PLEASE NOTE: in the event the run needs to be cancelled or cut short due to factors outside of our control (such as Covid-19), artists will receive a guaranteed fee of $100/ea plus a share of any profit.

REHEARSALS

We are planning to start rehearsals in late October, held 3 times per week in Toronto (aiming for one weekday daytime, one weekday evening, and one weekend daytime). We may schedule 4 rehearsals/week in the lead up to opening (depending on need). We will do our best to take your availability into consideration when crafting the rehearsal schedule, but due to the size of the cast and team, we may not be able to accommodate every conflict.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Audiences will follow the characters throughout all three floors of Campbell House. Please note that the floors are connected with stairs only. The running time is approx 85 mins, and there will be two performances per night with a 40-45 minute break in between for rest and reset.

IMPORTANT DATES (Subject to Change)

Dec 1-4: Tech and Dress Rehearsal Period (tech times would probably be daytime, dress rehearsal(s) in the evening)
Dec 5: Break day for cast and crew
Dec 6-10: Public performances
Dec 11-12: Dark days
Dec 13-17: Public performances
Dec 18: Dark day
Dec 19-22: Public performances

Performance Times: 6:30pm and 8:45pm (weeknights and Saturdays), 4:30pm and 6:45pm (Sundays)

COVID 

All cast and crew members must be fully vaccinated against Covid 19 in order to participate in this production.

MASKING: Masking will not be mandatory during rehearsals and performances, but any cast or crew member wishing to wear a mask will be welcome and encouraged to do so. PLEASE NOTE: we reserve the right to update our masking policy in line with Covid case numbers and/or the recommendations of public health authorities.

COVID-CAUTIOUS PERFORMANCES: For the Sunday 4:30 pm performances, all patrons will be required to wear masks while in the venue.

ABOUT US

THE THREE SHIPS COLLECTIVE is an artists’ collective formed in 2018 for the purpose of creating and staging this production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Past and present members include accomplished, critically-acclaimed, and Dora Award-winning artists and production team members; credits include (among many others) Mirvish Productions, Soulpepper, Crow’s Theatre, as well as notable film and TV productions ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’,  ‘Murdoch Mysteries’, ‘The Umbrella Academy’, and ‘The Expanse’.

SOUP CAN THEATRE is a Toronto-based company that explores and comments on contemporary issues and societal challenges, offering audiences a theatrical experience that is both entertaining and enriching. Founded in 2009, Soup Can Theatre has been producing truly independent theatre, garnering critical acclaim, multiple awards and accolades, and a dedicated following of theatre-goers. Shows have included ambitious and immersive musical productions (‘Love is a Poverty You Can Sell’ I & II), contemporary re-imaginings of iconic works (‘Marat/Sade’, ‘Antigone’, ‘A Hand of Bridge’, ‘No Exit’, ‘The Threepenny Opera’ in Concert), intimate original creations (‘Heretic’) and unique and daring collaborative concepts (‘Circle Jerk’).

Both the Three Ships Collective and Soup Can Theatre operate on a not-for-profit basis. The Three Ships Collective and Soup Can Theatre do not tolerate harassment of any kind; including, but not limited to, harassment based on race, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or disability. Our Anti-Harassment Policy can be found here.  We will also be adhering to CAEA’s Not In OUR Space program.

#ChristmasCarolTO

The Three Ships Collective, with our support, is looking for a STAGE MANAGER, a COSTUME/PROP DESIGNER, and an ASSISTANT DESIGNER/ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER (combined role) for the upcoming remount of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, directed by Sare Thorpe and written by Justin Haigh!

photo of 2022 cast by Laura Dittmann

Now in its fifth year, A CHRISTMAS CAROL is a highly original, immersive, and critically acclaimed adaptation of Charles Dickens’ story, staged in the historic Campbell House Museum at Queen and University in downtown Toronto. Our production invites audiences to step into the world of Victorian London and follow flinty miser Ebenezer Scrooge on his ghostly journey of redemption. For more information about the show, please visit our website or read our 2019 review from NOW Magazine (NNNNN).

We are actively interested in seeing Union and Non-Union artists from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, all gender identities and expressions, and all abilities. In accordance with our Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Initiative, we welcome all submissions but strongly encourage IBPOC artists to apply.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

STAGE MANAGER – Please note, this role requires more mobility than a traditional production as you will be moving through the house during each performance. Experience with projects that are immersive, site-specific, or promenade is an asset. If you also have any design experience and are also open to being considered for the Assistant Designer/ASM role below, please make a note of it in your submission.

COSTUME/PROP DESIGNER – Experience with period costumes is an asset. Note: We have an existing partnership with a costume house that will provide the vast majority of costumes (as well as basic alterations). While the designer will be responsible for curating and pulling costumes from the costume house’s collection, we anticipate this partnership will significantly lessen the burden on the designer while still giving them the freedom to execute their creative vision. We own the majority of the props from previous productions and have them in storage; as such the designer likely won’t need to source many new props other than consumables. The Campbell House Museum provides all furniture pieces required for the show.

ASSISTANT DESIGNER / ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER – You will be working closely with the Costume/Prop designer during the pre-production phase, and then working with the Stage Manager during the performance period. Some degree of experience in both design and stage management is an asset. This role is also partly performative in nature, as you will be delivering the pre-show announcement and assisting in guiding the audience from room to room during the performances.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Please send your resume to ThreeShipsCollective@gmail.com with “A Christmas Carol 2023 – [Position(s) you’re submitting for]” in the subject line. Designers are welcome to include examples of their work. We are accepting submissions from both Union and Non-Union artists. The deadline to submit is September 23rd at 11:59 pm, but early submissions are encouraged. While we greatly appreciate everyone’s interest in this production, due to time constraints, only those selected for an interview will be notified.

Selected candidates will be contacted to set up an interview date, time, and location in Toronto; interviews over Zoom are also an option.

CONTRACT & PAYMENT

This production will operate under an open-book profit share. We are accepting both Union and Non-Union artists under a CAEA Artists Collective Policy. Production team members will receive a minimum guaranteed fee of $500 plus 1.25 shares of the profit; last year production team members received approximately $950 in total compensation. We recognize that this is less than the compensation of other CAEA agreements, but the intimate nature of this show limits the revenue we can generate from ticket sales (even with a sold-out run) and we want to be transparent about expectations. Having said that, we are actively pursuing sponsorships and will be running a fundraising campaign in an effort to boost our anticipated revenue.

PLEASE NOTE: in the event the run needs to be cancelled or cut short due to factors outside of our control (such as Covid-19), artists will receive a guaranteed fee of $100/ea plus a share of any profit.

REHEARSALS

We are planning to start rehearsals in late October, held 3 times per week in Toronto (aiming for one weekday daytime, one weekday evening, and one weekend daytime). We may schedule 4 rehearsals/week in the lead up to opening (depending on need). We will do our best to take your availability into consideration when crafting the rehearsal schedule, but due to the size of the cast and team, we may not be able to accommodate every conflict.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Audiences will follow the characters throughout all three floors of Campbell House. Please note that the floors are connected with stairs only. The running time is approx 85 mins, and there will be two performances per night with a 40-45 minute break in between for rest and reset.

IMPORTANT DATES (Subject to Change)

Dec 1-4: Tech and Dress Rehearsal Period (tech times would probably be daytime, dress rehearsal(s) in the evening)

Dec 5: Break day for cast and crew

Dec 6-10: Public performances

Dec 11-12: Dark days

Dec 13-17: Public performances

Dec 18: Dark day

Dec 19-22: Public performances

Performance Times: 6:30pm and 8:45pm (weeknights and Saturdays), 4:30pm and 6:45pm (Sundays)

COVID 

All cast and crew members must be fully vaccinated against Covid 19 in order to participate in this production.

MASKING: Masking will not be mandatory during rehearsals and performances, but any cast or crew member wishing to wear a mask will be welcome and encouraged to do so. PLEASE NOTE: we reserve the right to update our masking policy in line with Covid case numbers and/or the recommendations of public health authorities.

COVID-CAUTIOUS PERFORMANCES: For the Sunday 4:30 pm performances, all patrons will be required to wear masks while in the venue.

ADDITIONAL REVIEWS

https://www.myentertainmentworld.ca/2019/12/christmas-carol-campbell-house/ 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/toronto/article/BWW-Review-Immersive-Production-of-A-CHRISTMAS-CAROL-Highlights-the-Best-Parts-of-Dickens-Beloved-Tale-20191210 

Both the Three Ships Collective and Soup Can Theatre operate on a not-for-profit basis. We do not tolerate harassment of any kind; including, but not limited to, harassment based on race, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or disability. Our Anti-Harassment Policy can be found here. We will also be adhering to CAEA’s Not In OUR Space program.

#ChristmasCarolTO

After a two-year hiatus, the Three Ships Collective’s immersive and award-winning smash-hit, A Christmas Carol is back, supported by us! Set in the historic and picturesque Campbell House Museum, this unique theatrical production invites audience members to step into the world of Victorian England and follow flinty miser Ebenezer Scrooge on his ghostly journey of redemption. A mirthful medley of magic, music, and the macabre, A Christmas Carol is the perfect holiday experience!

“ NNNNN … Brilliant! … One-of-a-Kind! ” – Now Magazine
“ Truly Wonderful! … A Stunning Show! ” – My Entertainment World
“ ★★★★ … Delightful! … Moving ” – MGT Magazine

Running Dec 9-23, 2022. Tickets are on sale now! Visit ChristmasCarolTO.com for information on the cast and crew, Covid-19 policies, and lots more.

#ChristmasCarolTO

The Three Ships Collective, with our support, is delighted to announce the return of A Christmas Carol! The award-winning theatrical adaptation that played to sold-out audiences in 2018 and 2019 will once again fill the Campbell House Museum with mirth, music, and merriment!

Due to the layout of Campbell House and ongoing considerations related to Covid-19, this year’s presentation will take the form of an intimate staged reading in the museum’s historic ballroom – inviting audiences to experience the sights and sounds of Dickens’ beloved tale through the magic of theatre-of-the-mind.

Four performances only! Thursday December 16th at 8pm, Friday December 17th at 8pm, and Saturday December 18th at 6pm and 8pm. Tickets are only $15!

To purchase tickets and see more details, including Covid-19 protocols, head to ChristmasCarolTO.com.

To our friends, colleagues, and fellow artists:

While Soup Can Theatre has not been publicly active for some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been paying close attention to the ongoing violence against IBPOC individuals, frequently at the hands of law enforcement, and the calls for justice surrounding these events. Systemic racism and institutional inaction and indifference are harmful realities across many sectors, including Canada’s arts and entertainment industry; an industry that is widely Eurocentric, colonial, and lacking in diversity.

It is our responsibility as artists to be activists for equity as an integral part of our work. We must take an honest accounting of ourselves and examine our complicity in oppression. To this end, we have been taking part in anti-racism and anti-oppression workshops and online courses and engaging in independent research to better our practices, examine our implicit biases, and further our knowledge of systemic racism.

Our training and research require subsequent action:

• Soup Can Theatre will expand our Creative Core team to include more IBPOC individuals, aiming for a minimum 30% increase. We have taken a step back from working on a semi-regular basis due to COVID-19 and other life changes within our current core team; when the time is right to start working regularly again, we will put out a call to IBPOC artists. We are also exploring ways that the Creative Core can be paid regularly, rather than only on a project-to-project basis.
• Soup Can Theatre will engage more IBPOC individuals for all contract artist positions on and off stage for all-new productions moving forward, aiming for a minimum 30% increase. Should any white artists who are currently attached to existing projects that do not already meet the 30% threshold decide to leave the said projects, we will prioritize hiring IBPOC individuals for those vacant roles.
• Soup Can Theatre will reach out to all IBPOC artists who we have worked with in past to discuss their experiences with us (should they wish to share them) and for their feedback. For their labour, these artists will be financially compensated.

We will continue to examine additional ways we can move forward as an independent collective to make our practice and work more equitable. These conversations are not finished; they will be ongoing for as long as we operate.

We, as a Creative Core team – currently composed exclusively of white, European-descended people – are complicit in systemic racism. We are privileged, and we acknowledge this privilege and complicity. We will do better. We must actively listen, educate ourselves and implement substantive changes.

Soup Can Theatre stands in solidarity with IBPOC and the Black Lives Matter movement. You can learn more at:

• Black Lives Matter Toronto
• Indigenous Canada Course from the University of Alberta
• Idle No More
• Conscientious Theatre Training
• Resources from the White Noise Collective
• The Black Pledge

Sincerely,

The Creative Core of Soup Can Theatre:

Sarah Thorpe (they/them), Justin Haigh (he/him), Scott Dermody (he/him), and Leslie Thorpe-Dermody (she/her)

Ghost lights have been a practice and tradition in theatre for ages. They are left lit onstage following performances as a safety measure, and – for those who are superstitious – as illumination for playful spirits of actors long passed while the theatre is empty.

They also mean that even though the artists have gone home for the night, they will be back.  

We send all our love and support to our colleagues who have had to postpone or cancel productions and seasons, as well as our endless thanks and gratitude to essential and health care workers across Canada. During this difficult time of social and physical distancing, please stay safe and take care of yourselves. We look forward to the day where we can safely gather together, share stories, and put away the ghost light.