Born on a Raft Theatre is a new Montreal Theatre company. We aim to share underrepresented stories using local cast and crew to increase the presence of English Theatre as part of the Quebec Cultural Landscape.
In Newfoundland and Labrador families, if someone leaves a door open, it is common to ask if they were “Born on a Raft”. Our name is a tribute to our leaving the door open for opportunity and to embrace the quirks that make us who are as artists.
Born on a Raft Theatre is registered with both ELAN and the Quebec Drama Federation.
About Thom
Thom Niles (He/Him) is a Queer identified actor, writer and emerging Theatre producer who’s made Montreal home for close to a decade.
Thom was born in Labrador and grew up surrounded by artists of many different disciplines. He quickly took a love to theatre at a young age as his favourite medium of storytelling. Thom proceeded to study Drama at Bishop’s University and attended the University of Worcester’s Drama and Performance Program.
A proud maritimer, Thom returned to the East Coast post university.While living in Halifax, Thom worked closely with DaPoPo Theatre, Zuppa Works, and the Halifax Fringe Festival in amongst others. He made multiple film and television appearances and advocated for a stronger film industry in Nova Scotia.
Since arriving in Montreal, he has appeared in many different indie theatre productions and has collaborated with Playwrights Workshop Montreal. In the 2023 Montreal Fringe Festival, Thom won rave reviews for his performance as “Rev” in the play Heartbeast, which won the acclaimed “Patron’s Pick” award.
A longtime member of the Theatre community, Thom saw the importance of bringing more queer theatre to Montreal. Montreal’s Theatre community features many talented individuals who lack the opportunity to step onstage and tell their stories. Thom was inspired by numerous playwrights on the East Coast and felt the need to bring more of this Theatre to Montreal. Like many emerging artists, Thom lost out on many of the “under 30” opportunities due to the COVID-19 pandemic and saw firsthand how many individuals were eager for the opportunity to open up new doors and share their art with the world.
Thus, Born on a Raft Theatre was born. We are eager to take the stage and contribute to the cultural fabric all around us.
Coming Soon
Born on a Raft Theatre is currently in pre-production for our May 2026 production of “The Best Brothers” by Daniel MacIvor in its Quebec premiere.
Born on a Raft Theatre 