Mission Statement

Reaching Symmetry Theatre is a Canadian theatre company based in Hamilton, ON. It was originally founded in 2011 by playwright Stephen Near. Director Luke Brown joined the company in 2012 and the two artists now serve as Co-Artistic Directors.

Reaching Symmetry Theatre is a Hamilton-based professional theatre company dedicated to producing new and provocative works that challenge both the heart and mind. With a focus on compelling scripts performed in intimate spaces, we strive to stimulate the dynamic between artists and audiences.

Our productions aim to create and produce new and provocative theatre by Hamilton artists for audiences in the city and across Canada.

Creative Team

Stephen Near (Founder & Co-Artistic Director): Stephen Near is a playwright, performer and educator living in Hamilton, Ontario. Stephen studied theatre at York University where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Directing and Dramaturgy in 1994. Stephen earned a Bachelor of Education at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE) in 2007. As a playwright, Stephen has had productions of his work performed in several festivals including the Ottawa Fringe Festival, the Toronto Summerworks Festival, the Toronto Fringe Festival and the Hamilton Fringe Festival. His work has been commissioned by a variety of theatre companies including Alumnae Theatre, In the Moment Theatre, Monkeyman Productions, and Northern Lights Theatre. Stephen has studied with such writers as Sheldon Rosen, Floyd Favel Starr, Linda Griffiths, David Copelin and Daniel MacIvor. He is an alumnus of the Sage Hill Writing Experience Playwriting Lab and Playfinding workshop intensive at the Banff Centre in Alberta. He is a current member of the Playwright’s Guild of Canada, the Ontario College of Teachers, the Council of Ontario Dance and Drama Educators (CODE) and the Theatre Aquarius Playwrights Unit. He is also the Operations Officer of the Hamilton Arts Council.

Luke Brown (Co-Artistic Director):Luke is a Hamilton-based director and producer who presently serves as the Artistic Associate at Theatre Aquarius. In 2010 and 2011, Luke was the Producer of the Hamilton Fringe and oversaw a massive growth in audience support as well financial support from government agencies and the community. Prior to his tenure at Aquarius, Luke was the Interim Education Director for the Charlottetown Festival and spent two seasons as the Associate Artistic Director of Neptune Theatre. As a director his credits include Bittergirl, Kristen Peace: Everything (Theatre Aquarius); Dianne and Me (National Tour), Orpheus, Black and Blue (Uses for Gooses), Plainspeak (Reaching Symmetry) Neighbours (Madame Fancypants). As an Associate Director his credits include Tuesdays with Morrie (Stage West Mississauga) and High School Musical (Drayton).