Who is Fire Exit Theatre?
Founded in 2002 with Hope, Challenge, Change as our foundation and a desire to create community and create in community.
Our aim is to artistically explore the world through the lens of faith. We challenge our artists and patrons to think new thoughts, lean into empathy, examine who our neighbour is, and to be open to transformation and the hope of redemption.
We encourage artists to put their faith in their art and their art in their faith. Our desire is not to create “safe” art but to create a safe place to experience challenging art. To bump up against ideas that you may not agree with and with people you simply don’t understand.
Our goal is to remind that the church that they were one of the first patrons of the arts and should regain that status.
Val Lieske, Founder & Artistic Director
Our Mandate
Fire Exit Theatre produces excellent, innovative art that unlocks the soul of its audience through an artistic community exploring what it means to be fully human while seeking the divine.
Our Values
Hope
Art, at its foundation, should provide hope. Art can and should reflect the darkness of the world, but we refuse to live in that darkness.
Challenge
We seek to challenge people wherever they are on their faith journey; to re-examine their traditions, their prejudices, and their preconceived ideas.
Change
Art should generate change and should not simply be entertainment that is consumed and forgotten.
Craft
There is power is doing something well. We strive for excellence in all of our endeavors.
Radical Hospitality
We want people to feel they are welcome and that they belong.
Integrity
We will be honest, consistent, fair and just in all of our practices; creative, financial, personal and organizational.
Generosity
We will operate from a place of “open hands”; holding loosely to our resources and our expertise for the greater good of our community.
Join Our Community
Subscribe to our newsletter
Connect on Social Media
Volunteer
Work on our Box Office Team
Load-in or tear-down sets
Join a board committee
Join our Hospitality Team
Want to learn more? Book a coffee with Val.
Become a Patron of the Arts Today
One-time or monthly donations can be made through CanadaHelps with the form on this site.
If you prefer, you can make a donation via e-Transfer to donate@fireexit.ca