MISSION, MANDATE AND CORE VALUES
The purpose of Mitch and Murray Productions is to produce Vancouver premieres of plays from the global theatre canon which are provocative, entertaining and relatable to a modern diverse audience base. We also strive to break down barriers of access to the arts for many communities, with educational programming including scholarships for emerging performers and acting workshops for the neurodiverse community.
We stage cutting edge stories with characters who are morally complex and who challenge the audience’s preconceptions. Our goal is to entertain while asking audiences to explore their “discomfort” zones. Never shying away from controversial subjects, our productions have tackled race, gender, sex, gentrification, addiction and other social issues of our times. We search for plays that address the most contemporary of social concerns with text from the world’s great playwrights like Annie Baker, Lydia R.Diamond and Duncan Macmillan. We value a high standard of artistic execution in our work, accessibility for our audiences and inclusive opportunities for artists.
Our company also believes strongly in community building and mentorship. We have historically donated partial box office proceeds to charitable causes and we give back to our community through an annual scholarship for emerging actors under aged eighteen to twenty-five. The scholarship includes two months of free acting training with our Artistic Director Aaron Craven in his professional weekly acting classes. We also produce a unique workshop, ACTING ATYPICAL, a foundational exploration of acting for teens and adults on the autism spectrum. This workshop helps to break down barriers of access to the arts for the neurodiverse community.
Our company spotlights anti-ageism in our practice by employing senior artists within our and endeavouring to provide compensation commensurate with their years of contribution to their art form. To allow for socio-economic accessibly, we offer senior ticket pricing and several performances with reduced ticket prices.
At Mitch and Murray Productions we strive to engage a new generation of audiences while giving back to our community and helping emerging artists find their unique voices and talents.
LEADERSHIP AND EXECUTIVE BOARD
AARON CRAVEN - Artistic Director
A graduate of The University of British Columbia, Aaron is the founder and artistic director of Mitch and Murray Productions. Selected theatre credits as an actor with the company include Heroes Of The Fourth Turning, Snowflake (*Jessie award nomination), Lungs, Smart People, Detroit and Speed-the-Plow. Other stage work includes Wilde Holiday Shorts (Chemainus Theatre), Fifty Words (The Cultch), Fat Pig (Performance Works) and Gaslight (Hudson Theatre-Los Angeles). He has also directed the plays An Intervention, Rapture, Blister, Burn, Sex With Strangers and Body Awareness for Mitch and Murray Productions.
Aaron has also been a busy screen actor in Canada and the USA for two decades. TV credits include recurring roles on Family Law, iZombie, Travelers, The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco, Somewhere Between, Ties That Bind and Gracepoint. Features include The Dresden Sun, Tim Burton’s Big Eyes, The Predator, The Age of Adaline, and The Atticus Institute. He’s also directed several short films which have played in festivals worldwide.
As a writer, his play Instantaneous Blue had its world premiere in January, 2023 at the Waterfront Theatre in Vancouver. He’s also developing a TV series, Yakima, winner of top drama pilot in the Scriptation screenplay contest. He also coaches actors at The Working Actors Gym, the training wing of Mitch and Murray Productions.
KATE CRAVEN - Company Manager
Meet Kate Craven, officially she’s known as the Operations Manager and Board Chair, but she’s affectionately referred to as ‘the glue’. She has worked both off and on the stage for Mitch and Murray Productions since 2015. Kate also works as both an actor and screenwriter.
As an actor, select theatre: An Intervention, Lungs (Mitch and Murray Productions), Bull (Made it Ma Productions), The Money Shot (MPD Collective), Here to Eternity (Company E), Chicago, Les Miserables (NTC).
Select screen: High Potential, Family Law, The Good Doctor, Loudermilk, Batwoman, Nutshells.
As a writer: Nightingales, A Perfect Place, Inochi Sae, Autumn Falling, A Country Kind of Love, Long Shadows.
Kate also teaches ongoing Foundational Actor classes at The Working Actors Gym.
JENNIFER COPPING - Artistic Associate
Jennifer Copping is a multiple nominee and winner of awards for her work as an actress over her 30 year plus career. Her passion for performing began at a very young age and she has continued to study and hone her craft as an actor, director, teacher, mentor and theatre creator.
Some career highlights -
For the Arts Club: Reflections On Crooked Walking ( Debut ,1987); The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time; The Day Before Christmas ; Godspell ; White Christmas ; Funny Girl.
Other Theatre: (Select) Anything Goes (TUTS); Anne Of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival); Les Miserables (Mirvish); Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Drabinsky); Tommy (Mirvish); Jersey Boys (Dancap); Indian Arm (Rumble); Body Awareness and Detroit (Mitch & Murray); City Of Angels (PIT Collective).
Film & TV: (Select) Once Upon A Mattress; Slither; Becoming Redwood; Supernatural; Fargo; Bates Motel; When Calls The Heart; Mother Of All Lies; Van Helsing; Travellers and the feature film Rabbit.
Other: Best Actress Leo Award for Becoming Redwood. Instructor for the Langara College Film Arts Dept. Jennifer has directed many plays and musicals over the past 15 years. Most recently City Of Angels and Good People.
Her proudest accomplishments are her 20+ year marriage and her two beautiful boys.
DAVID MACKAY - Artistic Associate
David is a director, actor and playwright.
Film/TV credits include Project Blue Book, Cedar Cove, Radio Hype, The Layover, The Watchmen, Scary Movie 4 and Are We There Yet?
For Mitch and Murray Productions he has directed the plays Instantaneous Blue, Smart People, Speed-the-Plow, Becky Shaw, Lungs and Race.
He has also directed One Man 2 Guvnors, Boeing Boeing, Venus in Fur and The Importance of Being Earnest at the Arts Club, The Government Inspector at Studio 58, and The Crucible at Temple University in Philadelphia.
He has worked extensively at Bard on the Beach as a director and actor is one of the original performers and co-creators of Axis Theatre’s The Number 14.
David graduated in 2011 with an MFA in Directing at Temple University in Philadelphia.
ACTING ATYPICAL
A first of its kind workshop for teen and adults on the autism spectrum.
Mitch and Murray Productions is proud to present ACTING ATYPICAL, a foundational exploration of acting for teens and adults on the autism spectrum. The exciting program was created by our artistic director Aaron Craven and he hosts the class throughout the season, with guest coaches from our company also teaching periodically.
In this workshop, participants explore the world of acting. In a supportive and sensory-friendly environment, Aaron guides students through an introductory look at acting, the differences between acting on camera and stage, and much more. The class includes some fun and interactive improv work, some scripted work in front of the camera and a spirited conversation about the wonderful world of performing.
The goal for the workshop is for participants to benefit from the social and emotional tools which acting can provide, to learn a bit about the craft and bottom line, to have fun!
Our next workshops are now scheduled:
TEEN WORKSHOP Wednesday May 7th, 4:00pm-6:00pm.
ADULT WORKSHOP Wednesday May 7th, 6:30-9:00pm.
Workshops at Carousel Theatre, 1411 Cartwright Street (Granville Island).
What people are saying -
“I enjoyed the class because of the careful pacing and because other atypicals were involved, which made me feel like less of an outcast. I had a lot of fun, I’d go back in a heartbeat.”
“Aaron Craven was an amazing teacher and very patient with us.”
“I liked the exercises, redirection and advice that Aaron gave us. It was also a small group, which was nice. I prefer classes like this.”
"My son attended the Acting Atypical workshop and it was amazing. I have never picked him up from anything and seen him so happy."
A graduate of The University of British Columbia, Aaron is the founder and artistic director of Mitch and Murray Productions, a Vancouver-based theatre company. He’s a busy actor in both Canada and the USA, with over 100 professional screen and stage credits.
Recent Film/TV work includes The Dresden Sun, NCIS, Legends of Tomorrow, iZombie… you can look up the rest on IMDB.com! Aaron is also one of Vancouver’s most recommended acting coaches, running a weekly class for professional actors at The Working Actors Gym.
Aaron has lived experience in the world of autism, actively supporting family members on the spectrum. He’s also involved with the Canucks Autism Network and volunteers as a coach with West Vancouver Hockey “Autism for Hockey” programs.
If you’re a teen or adult on the autism spectrum and are interested in this workshop, please get in touch through our contact page. *Note, all participants must have a diagnosis of autism through a specialist and must be able to work independently in the workshop with a 3-1 student/staff ratio in the room.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of Telus and the Telus Friendly Future Foundation in the production of these workshops.
THE TREVOR CRAVEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR YOUNG ACTORS
A note from artistic director, Aaron Craven -
Friends and colleagues,
It’s with great pleasure that I present an acting scholarship for young actors. This scholarship, now several years running, consists of acting training and mentoring at our Working Actors Gym, and is presented to a deserving actor aged 18-25 on a once yearly basis.
The scholarship is named in honor of my brother Trevor Craven, who passed away in a car accident in 1986 as a teenager. Trevor was an outstanding athlete, an honor roll student and a well known young man in my hometown of North Vancouver. The Trevor Craven track meet is still a yearly event in Vancouver, sponsored by his old track club, The Norwesters.
The award will consist of an 8 week block of classes, once weekly at The Working Actors Gym. I’ll also be providing career mentorship as part of the program. Check out more details on our class through the Working Actors Gym page on this website.
The scholarship is open to actors between the ages of 18-25 who have had previous acting training and/or professional acting experience.
To apply, please email the following materials as attachments to us in PDF or DOC format only (no drive links please and thanks) and be sure to include your name on every attachment: info@mitchandmurrayproductions.com.
– A photo and resume,
– A one page letter in: (tell us a bit about your background, what you know of our company and why you think you’re a good candidate for the scholarship).
Subscribe to our newsletter below or via our contact page to get updates on the next application deadlines.
The annual deadline is end of March.
Thank you in advance to all the applicants.
My sincere best,
Aaron Craven –
Artistic Director, Mitch and Murray Productions
DONATE AND SUPPORT
Mitch and Murray fans,
Thank you for joining our PATRONS CIRCLE and supporting our upcoming 2024/25 season. This year includes our annual production in January/February, mentorship of emerging performers and inclusive opportunities in the arts for the neurodiverse community!
By making a donation to Mitch and Murray Productions, you’ll be joining an invested group of arts supporters who are in ownership of a vital provocative theatre company that furthers the advancement of the arts in Vancouver. Donors will receive a tax receipt and will be acknowledged through different platforms throughout the year.
One time and monthly donations are available. We’re a registered charity, so you will receive a tax receipt with your online donation. Donate now through our online form and check out patron perks below.
Thank you for your support of our brave new season!