## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/) 2. Markdownify 3. Node 4. [OCAD U partners with Soulpepper Theatre to bring holiday magic to Toronto](/markdownify/node/3899) November 13, 2025 # OCAD U partners with Soulpepper Theatre to bring holiday magic to Toronto ![Holiday district](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2025-11/agrid-17.jpg.webp?itok=u9Zl5Uwi) Photo courtesy of the Distillery District. rgb(255,255,255) Soulpepper Theatre, Canada’s leading artist-driven theatre company, is bringing the magic of *Narnia* to Toronto’s Distillery Winter Village this holiday season through a new partnership with OCAD University led by Interim Dean, Faculty of Art, Philippe Blanchard. Inspired by Soulpepper hosting Bad Hat Theatre’s production of *Narnia*, the theatre company is transforming its lobby and exterior façade into an extension of the magical land during the annual Winter Village. Shannon Lea Doyle, an OCAD U alum and *Narnia* production designer, mentored two students for nine weeks to transform the space. Experimental Animation student Charlotte Lavoie-Auspert and Environmental Design student Isabella Staffieri helped design the colour palette of the family lounge and Santa Village photo stage. As assistant designers, the two students implemented wayfinding solutions on themed lampposts, with Lavoie-Ausper adding *Narnia*-themed Easter eggs throughout the event space. As part of the immersive multimedia installation, Experimental Animation students Maya Harding and Derya Ozparlak developed two animations for framed screens by the lobby window. These animated loops feature whimsical stop-motion paper puppets of characters from the world of *Narnia*. The students also created a series of atmospheric projections that mimic winter ice effects, illuminating a large hanging sculpture. Soulpepper and the OCAD U team also enlisted AVA Animation and Visual Arts to create animations of a hanging branch arrangement over the lobby. “It was such an amazing experience seeing our concepts – once just ideas on paper – come to life,” said Staffieri. “I learned how an art director takes on multiple roles and collaborates with others to create a seamless production. The Winter Village at Soulpepper Theatre is magical, and I’m so happy I got to be a part of it.” **OCAD U merchandise pop-up (from Nov. 13 to Dec. 28)** In addition to the thematic installations, OCAD U will present a [merchandise pop-up](https://shopocadu.ca/collections/ocad-u-x-soulpepper) in the Soulpepper lobby from Nov. 13 to Dec. 28, with a set of clothing and gifts newly designed for this partnership. **OCAD U alum marketplace (from Dec. 15 to 24, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily)** Visitors will also be able to [browse a marketplace](https://www.ocadu.ca/events-and-exhibitions/ocad-u-x-soulpepper-theatre-distillery-winter-village) featuring handcrafted items by OCAD U alums, adjacent to the Soulpepper lobby from Dec. 15 to 24, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. ## Other Recent News [### 2026-27 Call for Funding Proposals for Student Groups that Support Creative Entrepreneurship on Campus The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) invites OCAD University student groups with a mandate to support entrepreneurship on campus to apply for funding for student-led initiatives that strengthen and expand the creative entrepreneurship ecosystem at OCAD U. 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Holiday Art Market 2026 OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to partner again with Wychwood Barns to offer a curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni the opportunity to share a vendor table at the BAM! Holiday Art Market. October 26, 2026 ](/news/call-vendors-bam-holiday-art-market-2026) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### 2026-27 Call for Funding Proposals for Student Groups that Support Creative Entrepreneurship on Campus The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) invites OCAD University student groups with a mandate to support entrepreneurship on campus to apply for funding for student-led initiatives that strengthen and expand the creative entrepreneurship ecosystem at OCAD U. This funding is intended to help student groups create opportunities for entrepreneurship skills development, community building, and revenue-generating activities for students and recent alumni, while reducing barriers to participation for equity-seeking individuals. November 6, 2026 ](/news/2026-27-call-funding-proposals-student-groups-support-creative-entrepreneurship-campus) [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. Four (4) to five (5) selected emerging artists will receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### Call for Vendors: BAM! Holiday Art Market 2026 OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to partner again with Wychwood Barns to offer a curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni the opportunity to share a vendor table at the BAM! Holiday Art Market. October 26, 2026 ](/news/call-vendors-bam-holiday-art-market-2026)