Based in Southern Ontario, Theatre of the Beat (TOTB) is a travelling theatre troupe that tries its darnedest to challenge and inspire the communities it finds itself in. We create and perform original theatre across Canada (and USA), host talk backs, spark discussions, and teach workshops. WHY BEAT? Half a century ago, the definition of “Beat” or “Beatnik” was split between two philosophies: poet Allan Ginsberg believed the word represented a people who were beaten down or oppressed, while writer Jack Kerouac found the word to have a much more spiritual connection, claiming the word described a people who lived out the teachings of the Beatitudes. Regardless of the definition, the “Beat” generation decided that even in the face of overwhelming political confusion and social turmoil, they would create. And so, we explore "beat" in all its themes by "Staging Change." In theatre, the word “beat” is used to describe a pause for dramatic effect, a silence that allows the audience the process the information they’ve been given. We hope our plays can be this pause in our otherwise busy lives, a chance to ponder the issues that affect our communities but escape our day to day conversations. We hope to create and live in inspiring ways and to fully immerse ourselves within the communities we find ourselves in.