ABOUT HERE FOR NOW
HISTORY
Here For Now Theatre was founded in 2012 by Artistic Director Fiona Mongillo with a simple but urgent mandate: to create space for stories that might otherwise go unheard.
In its early years, the company staged intimate productions in pop-up venues across Stratford, building a loyal following drawn to bold contemporary work and close-up theatrical experiences.
In 2020, at a moment when live performance felt uncertain, Here For Now took a leap. The company launched its first repertory season — staged outdoors on the lawns of The Bruce Hotel. Six plays were performed safely for small audiences under open skies. What began as a necessary pivot became a defining chapter. That summer transformed the company’s trajectory, drawing national attention and solidifying Here For Now’s reputation for fearless, inventive programming.
In 2022, Here For Now became a registered charity — an important milestone in its evolution from grassroots upstart to sustainable arts organization. Critical acclaim followed, including being named Critic’s Pick Company of the Year by My Entertainment World in 2023.
In 2024, the company secured a 15-year lease on the historic Perth County Registry Office at 24 St. Andrews Street. Once slated for demolition, the building was transformed into a fully accessible, 60-seat theatre — a permanent home in the heart of downtown Stratford. The space officially opened on May 24th 2025 and the Rose McQueen Performance Space was unveiled, named in honour of a beloved educator and arts advocate.
The 2025 season marked the company’s first full summer indoors in its new home, followed by its first winter season — signalling a shift toward year-round programming and deeper community engagement.
In 2026, Crystal L. Spicer joined the company as Executive Director, ushering in a new chapter of organizational growth and stability.
Today, Here For Now Theatre continues to champion new and underrepresented voices — particularly stories by and about women and other marginalized communities — while contributing to the vibrancy of Stratford’s cultural landscape. What began as a pop-up experiment has become a permanent artistic presence. And we are still here — for now, and for what’s next.
Mandate:
Here For Now is an independent feminist theatre company based in Stratford Ontario,
that challenges and inspires its audiences by producing a bold annual theatre season
comprised of new or underproduced plays.
Mission Statement:
To produce a theatre season annually, with a focus on new works.
To offer compact and compelling stories in a primarily one act format.
To tell a variety of stories centering around ‘othered’ voices and silenced or lost histories, especially those of women.
To engage local artists and contribute to the Canadian Canon of theatre by providing a showcase for new playwrights.
To support other artists and artistic structures in our local community by seeking ways to collaborate with each other.
To employ and feature primarily Stratford-based artists.
To optimize the company’s finances through fundraising, donations and otherwise.