let's change the story for good. why not.
Our vision is a world with limitless possibilities for all.
Our mission is to make things better through art. To reinvent how stories are told to inspire new ways of thinking about creativity and civic engagement.
We push. Never settle. Question everything. Rethink how stories are told. And who gets to tell them. We believe in art. It’s how we make change. It’s how we create the world we want to see.
We bring it. We dream, share, and take risks. To create a world where art plays an essential role in the lives of all people. Where everyone is welcome. Everyone has a voice. Everyone can realize their full potential.
We make things, better.
new works
awards and nominations
tour stops
cities
Make. Share. Provoke.
These are the ways Why Not makes its mark in our community and around the world.
history
When a well-respected global performer couldn’t get an audition in Toronto, we knew it was time for a change.
Ravi Jain moved back to Toronto after building a career in theatre in New York and London. After years of growth and creativity, his ambitions came to a standstill when traditional companies wouldn’t welcome his voice. When adversity pushed, Ravi pushed back and launched Why Not.
Since 2007, Why Not has taken on modern social issues and redefined what it means to be an independent theatre company. Ravi was later joined by Owais Lightwala and Kelly Read, in a unique tri-leadership team that was key to Why Not’s success. Today, this leadership structure is being further expanded into a more collaborative model, with Ravi, Karen Tisch, and Miriam Fernandes at the helm.
Together, we are forcing doors open, inventing, encouraging and building a creative community, welcoming stories that look and feel like Toronto, and sharing it all with the world.
what makes us different? everything.
We are redefining what a theatre company can be.
We are grounded in imagination, integrity, collaboration, empowerment, and sustainability. These are the values that define how we create and impact change.
imagination: We are curious. We encourage big dreams and push ourselves to invent new ways of thinking that allow us to do better and be more human.
integrity: We believe in honesty and accountability, and stand up for what we believe in.
collaboration: We are connectors. At home and around the world, we believe in the strength of many hands and different perspectives.
empowerment: We believe art is for everyone. We make room for more artists and audiences. Support others, remove barriers, and create access.
sustainability: We make choices with the future in mind. Of artists, of the planet, and of our company.
We are all responsible for keeping our workspaces safe and respectful. Please read our Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, and Human Rights Policy in its entirety.
We acknowledge that various power structures, personal and professional relationships, implicit biases and other factors can inform why someone wants to disclose an incident anonymously. We are committed to taking anonymous reports seriously.
