Jaime Martino — Building Access, Not Barriers: The Story Behind Toronto’s Newest Performance Space
About episode 4 (airs November 13, 2025 at 9am EST):
In this episode of The Scene Room, host Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bowman sits down with Jaime Martino, Executive Director of Tapestry Opera, to explore how a vacant sub-basement in a Toronto affordable housing building transformed into the Nancy and Ed Jackman Performance Center—a flexible black box theatre designed for community access, artistic innovation, and sustainable cultural development.
This 100–150 seat venue now features a bar, box office, rehearsal studio, and shared administrative space. Jaime shares how what began as a simple rehearsal room evolved into a fully realized performance center thanks to strong city partnerships, community leaders, and a mission-driven commitment to accessibility, equity, and arts infrastructure.
We talk about the collaboration with Nightwood Theatre, three years of design decisions and budget tradeoffs, and how consensus-based leadership strengthened—not slowed—the project. From tiered rental pricing and resident company models to open rehearsals and public-facing events, Jaime explains how intentional planning can turn a venue into a vibrant arts ecosystem.
We also zoom out to discuss urgent, sector-wide questions:
- What does cultural belonging mean today?
- How can small, flexible venues nurture creative risk-taking?
- How do arts organizations adapt to shrinking corporate support and rising costs?
- Why do intimate, human-scale experiences matter more than ever?
This conversation offers a hopeful, practical look at the future of opera, theatre, and live performance—rooted in community, collaboration, and purpose.
Who Should Listen?
This episode is ideal for:
- arts leaders and administrators
- venue managers and cultural planners
- opera and theatre professionals
- community builders
- nonprofit innovators
- creatives exploring sustainable practices
- anyone interested in Toronto’s evolving cultural landscape
Who is Jaime Martino?
Jaime Martino believes in transformational change, collective joy, and the queer art of failure.
She has been Executive Director of Tapestry Opera since 2016, having co-lead two national initiatives, produced 14 world premieres, and opened a brand-new theatre in downtown Toronto. As Director of Operations for Pride Toronto, Jaime steered one of the largest 2SLGBTQ+ celebrations in the world, including WorldPride 2014. Jaime was a member of the 2019 Opera America Leadership Cohort, the recipient of a Rainbow Warriors Award for global LGBTQ+ rights in 2015, and a Change Makers Ruby Award (Opera Canada) in 2023. She is the Jini Stolk Creative Fellow for 2024-2026.
All episodes, after publication, are also available in video form on YouTube and Spotify Channels. All are hosted by Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bowman.
Don’t forget to subscribe, share the love, and leave us a review to show your support—it means a lot to us!
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with guest ideas, information you’d like covered, or any ideas you might have—the hope is for this to be a continuous resource and dialogue with our listeners.
Visit TheSceneRoom.com for more information.
