About MainLine Theatre
THE COMPANY
MainLine Theatre was incorporated in 1991 as the Montreal FRINGE Festival Corporation, founded by Kris Kieren and Nick Morra. Between 1991 and 2000, the company existed uniquely to produce the Montreal FRINGE. In 1995, the FRINGE was co-produced by Kris Kieren and David Gobeil-Taylor; in 1996, it was co-produced by David Gobeil-Taylor and Jeremy Hechtman; in 1997-98, by Jeremy Hechtman and Shannon Webb. In 1999, Patrick Goddard replaced Shannon Webb as General Manager, with a mission to expand the company's mandate.
In 2000, we changed our name to MainLine Theatre in order to produce events year-round. MainLine's productions and co-productions from 2000 to 2005:
2000 - SoloFest @ MAI, featuring Labrador, The May Day Impromptu, Le Tigre, and Angèle morte
2001 - Fringe Benefits @ Geordie Space, featuring The Imponderables and Gaumontville
2002 - Quasi-Murder @ The Garage International, Edinburgh Fringe. Nominated for The Stage Award for Best Actor
2003 - Quasi-Murder @ Centre des arts contemporains de Québec à Montréal. Nominated for 2 Montreal English Critics' Circle Awards (MECCAs): Best Actor and Best Text.
2004 - Sea Peach @ Théâtre Ste-Catherine
The 2002-03 MECCA for Distinction was awarded to Jeremy Hechtman and Patrick Goddard for their work on the Montreal FRINGE Festival.
In 2004, Geoff Agombar took over from Patrick Goddard as General Manager.
THE SPACE
In October 2005, we opened MainLine Theatre, a 100-seat black box venue at 3997 St-Laurent. This became our main office, as well as headquarters for the St-Ambroise Montreal FRINGE Festival. It is available for rentals, co-productions, and presentations. Our original logo (affectionately known as the Roller Disco logo) and banner was designed by Matt Foster.
In 2007, Patrick Goddard returned as General Manager.
WINTER MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS
In January 2006, thanks to a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, we produced our first original show to packed houses. Our shows (all directed by Jeremy Hechtman):
2006 - Johnny Canuck and the Last Burlesque, by Patrick Goddard, Jeremy Hechtman, and Nick Carpenter
2007 - Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, by Charles Busch
2008 - Hedda Gabler, by Henrik Ibsen (adapted by Judith Thompson)
2009 - The Real Inspector Hound, by Tom Stoppard
2010 - The Mid-Life Crisis of Dionysus, by Jeremy Hechtman, Patrick Goddard, and Nick Carpenter
2011 - SEXY DIRTY BLOODY SCARY, by Chris Brophy
The 2008-09 Myron Galloway MECCA for Distinction was awarded to Jeremy Hechtman and Patrick Goddard for their work on MainLine Theatre.
Shortly after the 20th Anniversary of the Montreal FRINGE Festival, Jeremy Hechtman stepped down as the Festival Producer in order to focus his attention on the theatre. Longtime FRINGER Amy Blackmore became the Festival Director in the Fall of 2010.
In fall 2010, we opened the Mini-Main, a 35-seat studio, used for rehearsals, workshops, and performances such as the storytelling event Confabulation.
In early fall 2011, Mike Bordage was appointed as MainLine's new General Manager, filling the shoes of Patrick Goddard. He left the post in August 2012.
Our current logo was designed by Peru, who also painted the front door and the staircase.
Our current website was designed by Matthew Foster.
