La Bohème Program Guide

Client: Against The Grain Theatre (ATG)

Creative Direction and Icon Design: Eitan Zohar
Graphic Design: Nicole Bryczkowski and Eitan Zohar
Copywriting: Amanda Abdelhadi
Illustration for Poster: Jessie Durham
Poster Layout and Lettering: Eitan Zohar

Categories: Print, Editorial, Lettering

Against the Grain Theatre (ATG) is an experimental theatre company that reimagines traditional opera to make it more accessible to a wider audience. The ATG rendition of the classic La Bohème, was set in modern day Toronto which highlights the contemporary themes of gentrification and poverty that many young people experience in the city today.

The newspaper format of the program guide was inspired by the issues explored, acting as a point of reference for the audience as well as a prop, thus creating a bridge between classic opera and the citizens of present day Toronto. This new medium broke the mould for traditional program guides and was aptly acknowledged by critics in their reviews of the production.

In line with the ATG’s goals, my vision for this project was to bring a relevant and immersive experience to the audience. The significance of the medium and the content delivered was so unique and specific to this production, it ultimately served as an extension of the performance.

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The newspaper format acted as a point of reference for the audience as well as a prop, creating a bridge between the classic opera and the citizens of present-day Toronto.

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Cast and crew submitted their own rental horror stories allowing attendees to relate to characters on a more personal level.