Rumble Theatre

Founded in 1990, Rumble Theatre aims to create a more compassionate world through the communal sharing of stories. It’s known for its work developing and mentoring emerging artists, and for being a place that encourages artistic risk.

For three decades, Rumble has prioritized the enhancement of Metro Vancouver’s independent theatre community. Though its artistic vision has morphed along with its different leadership, one of the company’s core aims has been to strengthen and develop up-and-coming theatre talent. Along the way it’s helped create some of the most diverse and innovative stage work happening on the unceded and occupied territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Over its history, Rumble has created over 30 critically acclaimed shows, including 20 world premieres, and received 81 Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards. Its challenging and boundary-pushing work has included Clark and I Somewhere in Connecticut, Snowman, Blackbird, and The Last Days of Judas Iscariot.

First launched by Norman Armour and Chris Gerrard-Pinker with a focus on multidisciplinary work and building collaborations with the national theatre community. In 2006, Craig Hall became the company’s artistic producer, building coproductions and establishing the Tremors Festival of Emerging Talent. In 2012, Stephen Drover took over as artistic director and further responded to the ever-evolving artistic climate.

Since fall 2018, Rumble has had a decentralized leadership team, with artistic director Jivesh Parasram, managing director Christie Watson, and operations director Kellee Ngan. It’s focused on cross-sectoral discussion and collaboration, with an emphasis on engaging underrepresented communities. Rumble aspires to build solidarity within an artistically driven, disruptive, and decolonial practice.

Rumble is a co-founder and resident of East Vancouver’s PL1422, a shared theatre production and administrative space.

Today, the company produces adaptations of outstanding narratives and contemporary plays from the Canadian and world repertoire. It encourages community-building through efforts like the Living Room series {mixer/mingler/meetings built around themes of importance to the theatre scene), and The Transmissions podcast. It also champions Vancouver’s emerging artists through initiatives like the annual Tremors Festival and a Mentorship Program that spans Directors’ Lab workshops and residencies.