Forte Musical Theatre Guild

Forte Musical Theatre Guild is a Canadian nonprofit organization based in Calgary, Alberta, recognized as the only professional theatre company in Western Canada dedicated exclusively to new musicals. Established to foster the development and production of socially relevant new musical theatre, Forte provides a platform for both emerging and established artists, creating intimate and engaging theatrical experiences for audiences while offering professional development for musical theatre practitioners[1][2][5].

Mission and Vision

Forte's mission centers on developing and producing new musicals that resonate with contemporary social themes and engage audiences deeply. The organization is also committed to cultivating professional opportunities for musical theatre artists, supporting their growth and career advancement.

The Guild envisions Calgary as an internationally recognized hub for new musical theatre, a community where artists choose to live, work, and thrive. This vision is paired with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, advocating for representation from all ethnicities, cultures, and under-represented groups within its productions and workplace[2].

Artistic and Community Engagement

Forte produces one or two new musicals annually, showcasing original Canadian works and occasionally staging productions beyond local stages, such as their acclaimed presentation of Crossing Swords at the New York Musical Theatre Festival in 2013. This production garnered multiple awards, including Best Book and Outstanding Integration of Book, Music, and Lyrics, and led to further productions in notable regional theatres in North America[5].

The company’s productions have been consistently recognized within the Calgary theatre community, receiving multiple nominations for Outstanding Production of a Musical by the Betty Mitchell Awards over several consecutive years. Forte also supports artistic growth through educational programs, apprenticeships, and mentorships designed for writers, performers, and theatre professionals[4][5].

Commitment to Inclusion and Workplace Culture

Forte Musical Theatre Guild upholds a policy of equity and inclusion in all aspects of its operations. The organization encourages applications from individuals identifying with under-represented groups and maintains a safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment guided by the Respectful Workplace Policy of the Canadian Actors' Equity Association[1][2].

Recognition and Awards

The Guild has received several prestigious awards acknowledging its contributions to musical theatre, including:

• Rosie Awards for Best Musical or Variety Program for productions such as Naughty… but Nice: Vaccin8! (2022) and Naughty… but Nice: Seven’s on Screen! (2021).
• Betty Mitchell Awards for Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Ensemble, and Outstanding Musical Direction for Alberta Kitchen Party (2022)[4].

Legacy and Support

Forte Musical Theatre Guild has established itself as a vital contributor to the Canadian theatre landscape, particularly in new musical theatre creation and production. Its sustainability relies on a mix of ticket sales, donations, and volunteer support, with charitable contributions playing a key role in enabling the company to hire acclaimed artists and maintain professional mentorship programs for the next generation of musical theatre talent[5].

This profile reflects Forte Musical Theatre Guild's role as a pioneering institution in the Canadian performing arts, emphasizing new musical theatre as a dynamic and evolving art form within an inclusive community framework.

[1] https://www.fortemusical.ca [2] https://www.fortemusical.ca/about-us [3] https://soundcloud.com/forte-musical-theatre-1 [4] https://cspacemardaloop.com/cspace-creative-community/meet-forte/ [5] https://ckc.calgaryfoundation.org/profile/forte-musical-theatre-guild/