Who We Are
Lookup Theatre is a charitable, not-for-profit circus and theatre company based in Ontario. The organization was founded in 2009 with a unique mission to create professional circus-theatre productions as well as community engagement initiatives.
Lookup Theatre is known for its distinctive artistic style, which combines contemporary circus with storytelling and theatrical performance. The company focuses on creative non-fiction, telling true stories in imaginative and original ways. It uses circus arts, theatre, text, and metaphor to recount real-life events, bringing powerful and often underrepresented stories to life through sophisticated spectacle.
Beyond our professional productions, Lookup Theatre is deeply committed to social programming. It runs various free programs that involve underserved youth and elder communities, offering them opportunities to participate in circus and theatre activities. These programs are designed not just as creative outlets but as empowering experiences, fostering skills, confidence, and a sense of community. Since our programs are free, they provide a vital entry point into the rapidly expanding circus sector, giving young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds the opportunity to build interest in the industry.
CONTACT: angola@lookuptheatre.com 1 647 267 7647
Angola Murdoch
Artistic Director/Founder
Growing up on the family farm in Grey County, Ontario, Angola Murdoch’s childhood was spent dancing and doing gymnastics. Since then, her movement repertoire has grown to include many disciplines such as aerial circus arts, acrobatics, and capoeira. For the last 20 years Angola has enjoyed a long and rich career locally, having performed at major venues in Ontario (Buddies in Bad Times, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Canadian National Exhibition, and others) and internationally (Cirque Pacifica (Maui), Gramercy Theatre (NYC), and Zip Zap Circus (South Africa)). A highlight of Angola’s career was being a Klingon aerial silk performer on Star Trek: Discovery. Currently, Angola is a company member of Femmes Du Feu Creations.
Through LookUp Theatre, she creates contemporary circus and theatre productions inspired by true stories. Angola has directed six full-length contemporary circus shows, including 2019’s Toronto Circus Riot. Based on the actual Toronto Riot of 1855, the Circus Riot premiered to packed audiences and critical acclaim and garnered a Dora Nomination. LookUp Theatre toured across Canada with Twist Of Fate, Angola's solo show in 2023. It will play at Harbourfront Centre in May 2025.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Alia Abaya
President
Jenn Gaudette
Secretary
Kate Allen
Treasurer
Sophia Newbold
Board Member
COLLABORATORS AND INSTRUCTORS
Jenny Parsons
Drama Instructor
Eamon Mac Mahon
Video Design
Kelsey Carriere
Designer
Hayley Landry
Performer/Instructor
Diana Lopez Soto
Performer
Marsha Kennington
Costume Designer
Holly Treddenick
Performer
Zita Nyarady
Performer/Instructor
Natalie Fullerton
Performer/Clown
Simon Rossiter
Lighting Designer
Stacie Dunlop
Performer/ Instructor
Matt Reid
Composer/ Performer