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 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. He has also directed the plays An Intervention, Rapture, Blister, Burn, Sex With Strangers and Body Awareness for Mitch and Murray Productions.
KATE CRAVEN - Board Chair/Production Manager
Officially Kate is known as the production 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).
JENNIFER COPPING - Artistic Associate
JENNIFER COPPING - Artistic Associate
JENNIFER COPPING - Artistic Associate
Jennifer 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. For Mitch and Murray Productions, Jennifer has appeared onstage in Detroit and Body Awareness and directed Snowflake and Harm.
Other theatre: 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 (Arts Club), 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); 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.
DAVID MACKAY - Artistic Associate
JENNIFER COPPING - Artistic Associate
JENNIFER COPPING - 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!
*Participants must be capable of working independently in a 3:1 student to staff ratio.
Contact us for information and registration for our next workshops in 2026. Subscribe to our e-newsletter HERE.
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."
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
This year's recipients, Shaugnessy O'Brien and Matthew Valinho. Read their bios.
DONATE AND SUPPORT
Mitch and Murray fans,
This is the season everything changes. After fourteen years of building something singular in Vancouver theatre, Mitch and Murray Productions is taking its boldest step yet — three productions, one transformative season in 2026/27. Stories that demand to be told, by artists who know how to tell them. We're grateful to founding supporters like the Lochmaddy Foundation, whose belief in this company expansion made it real — and now we're inviting you to be part of what comes next. Your gift doesn't just fund a show. It funds a company growing into what it was always meant to be. Join us.
As a member of our Patrons Circle, you're bringing world-class stories to Vancouver for the very first time, investing in the next generation of theatre artists, and opening doors in the arts for the autistic community. This season is our biggest leap yet — and you're taking it with us. Thank you.
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!
Mitch and Murray Productions Theatre Society - Bus No: 740305297RR0001
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