Crane Creations was founded by Andreja Kovac, a professional director, creator, and  producer. She is originally from Slovenia but is now based in Mississauga. Andreja holds the equivalent of an MFA in Directing for Theatre and Radio from Slovenia’s National Conservatory for Theatre. She is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada’s directing program. Before immigrating to Canada she directed more than 40 award winning productions at state funded repertory theatres which toured internationally. She received critical acclaim as a director of classical pieces, contemporary work, opera, theatre for young audiences and devised projects. She is thrilled about having a professional theatre company in Mississauga.

February 2023

February 2023

Crane Creations Theatre Company receives operational funding from the Ontario Arts Council

Ontario Arts Council logo: OAC symbol in red, black and grey stands to the left of the Ontario Arts Council text with the engislt text on top following the french text below with a red line separating the text below sating "an Ontario governing agency", supporters of Crane Creations Theatre Company and puppet show, Theatre tickets coming soon
December 2022

December 2022

Our puppets are out and about visiting Christmas Markets across Mississauga, the region of Peel and the Greater Toronto Area. See if you can spot one! 

July - August 2022

July - August 2022

In July of this year, Crane Creations travelled to Maribor Slovenia to develop a co-production of Mirror, a puppetry show for children, with Maribor Puppet Theatre. The show was developed into a 45 minute musical, with composer Erik Geddis. Using innovative technology and 3D printing, Aleksander Andželovič, built puppets from corn and bamboo. Over the course of eight weeks the show was developed from a 30 minute workshop into an hour long musical with 14 new songs, and 5 more characters. The show was directed by Andreja Kovac, written by Eugenia De Jong, and puppeteered by Aimee Poulin and Eugenia De Jong. The show premiered in Slovenia on August 21 2022 and is now touring across Canada and internationally.

Mirror: Puppet Show For Kids | Crane Creations
May 2022

May 2022

May 2022 marked the fourth iteration of Summer Ensemble, our annual program for emerging artists across Canada. We had 17 participants this year; actor’, artistic producers and stage managers. This year the participants of Summer Ensemble devised a 30 minute play about community, presented at the Four Corners in Cooksville Mississauga, with community partner, Heart Comonos.

Summer Ensemble 2022 Crane Creations
March 2022

March 2022

Our 3rd edition of Bridges Festival 2022 was a smash hit. We finally has in-person events after two years, including some in person puppetry (if it is safe to gather in person), as well as some workshops, industry events, an exhibit and more, happening all around the city of Mississauga.

Bridges Festival - Learning Opportunities
November 2021

November 2021

Artistic Director Andreja Kovac travelled to Slovenia for the launch of the translated plays of Ivan Cankar. This included presenting the project and the Slovenian National Playwriting Festival, where she saw the results of the two years of work on these books in person, on paper for the first time.

Crane Creations produced its first full length play for the public at the end of 2021, Terror, by Ferdinand von Schirach. With strict COVID prevention tactics in place, including rapid-testing for all artists involved, as well as masks and social distancing for the audience, this show was a success, and welcomed various MPPs and Councillors from the Mississauga area and Peel region.

BRIDGESPLAYDATEARTSGUIDE - Crane Creations Theatre Company
Security Gaurd looking at a glowing ballot box while there is a news paper projection in the background. Live events in Mississauga.
August 2021

August 2021

Crane Creations, with the help of playwright in residence Eugenia De Jong was able to workshop and present a small public performance of the work-in-progress, Mirror. This creation process included composing songs and lyrics, building puppets, creating the set, and pushing this piece as far as possible in the short amount of time.

Mya puppeteering the rabbit puppet for Mirror a puppet show
July 2021

July 2021

During the Summer of 2021, some of our team headed up to Saguenay to attend the Festival International des Arts de la Marionnette à Saguenay (FIAMS). This was our first in person event as a company since the beginning of the pandemic, and we were thrilled to discover many puppet shows that could be well suited for upcoming Bridges Festival.

Puppet Festival FIAMS
June 2021

June 2021

Having a successful program 3 year run in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Crane was able to provide more artists with this invaluable Canada Summer Jobs Grant. Working through the COVID-19 Pandemic over Zoom, and eventually in person to workshop new works and develop existing pieces that had been started the year prior.

 
Summer Ensemble Actors 2021
March 2021

March 2021

First the first time, Bridges Puppetry Festival has successfully completed its full three days of activities. COVID-19 stopped the first edition of the festival in it’s tracks last year, when it launched on March 13th 2020, with 3 full days of professional puppetry, an exhibit, and workshops for artists and kids all set to happen. Mississauga closed down the venues after the festival’s first live performance on March 13th, and, well we know now what 2020 had in store.

February 2021

February 2021

We received operational funding from the city of Mississauga! This support is crucial to be able to support our staff as they work on the many different projects that happen throughout the year. We are beyond excited that the city supports us, and we are looking forward to continuing to build this relationship as our events and activities grow. This funding allows us to properly support administrative staff, and continue to maintain our studio despite the COVID-19 pandemic. We are able to think bigger and set our goals higher now!

City of Mississauga logo: Mississauga symbol in blue, with Mississauga written in blue under the symbol, supporters of Crane Creations Theatre Company and puppet show, Theatre tickets coming soon
January 2021

JAN 2021

Taking place every third Thursday of the month, Play Date is an open to attend play reading activity. We focus on reading and discussing the relevance of the play as well as its author. We would like to thank the city of Mississauga for generously supporting this activity. Anyone is welcome to join, and read regardless of reading or language skills. The session will be followed by a discussion led by a professional theatre artist to spark conversations about the themes, style, form, and current world issues related to the selected play. 

October 2020

October 2020 

We have joined the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (often referred to as PACT). Just like a medical association or an association of engineers, this is a member-driven organization of professional Canadian theatres, working towards the betterment of Canadian Theatre. PACT provides leadership, national representation and a variety of programs and practical assistance to member companies, empowering them to do their own creative work, and advocating for them.

PACT - Crane Creations Theatre Company
June 2020
Mirror at the park - Crane Creations Theatre Company

JUNE 2020

After a successful program in 2019, Crane was able to provide more artists with this invaluable Canada Summer Jobs Grant. Working through the COVID-19 Pandemic over Zoom, and eventually in person to workshop new works and develop existing pieces that had been started the year prior.

March 2020

MARCH 2020 

On March 13, 2020 we launched a new professional puppetry festival in Mississauga. Bridges Festival was on track to present 3 indoor and 2 outdoor puppet shows, as well as 3 interactive workshops and an exhibition. Unfortunately, the festival’s launch was heavily affected by Covid 19 facilities closures and social distancing orders, canceling all but the first two shows and an exhibition, dramatically affecting attendance literally in the last minute. Despite cancellations, we achieved a lot with our first festival

Bridges Festival Poster - Crane Creations Theatre Company
October 2019 - February 2020
YEDI - Crane Creations Theatre Company

October 2019 - February 2020

Crane Creations was selected as one of 15 not-for-profit organizations participating in an intensive 16-week entrepreneurship training program designed specifically for non profit organizations. This program, collaboratively run by York Entrepreneurship Development Institute and Vaughan Business Enterprise Centre, helped Crane Creations develop a professional business plan, executive summary, streamline a business model and meet valuable partners. 

March 2019

March 2019

Arts Guide - Crane Creations Theatre Company

Selected to participate in a series of workshop and a mentorship program focusing on development, challenges and solutions for organizations owning, leasing or acquiring a space. We started this program with an idea and ended in a partnership that helped us gain access to a studio and workspace.

Creative Spaces mentoring network - Crane Creations Theatre Company
2015

Holiday Special

Gift unforgettable memories This Christmas. Receive a special offer on all puppet shows.

62% off

USE CODE: CHRISTMAS1
ends 12/20/2023

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.