Save the Date for Festival 2013

We’re excited to announce that Theatre Ontario Festival 2013 will be traveling to Kingston and the home of Domino Theatre—our first Festival in this historic Ontario city in almost thirty years.

Theatre Ontario Festival will open on Wednesday, May 15, and run until Sunday, May 19.  Co-hosted in partnership with the Eastern Ontario Drama League and Kingston’s Domino Theatre, Theatre Ontario Festival is a celebration of community theatre, featuring a showcase of outstanding productions, with adjudications, workshops, and collaboration among theatre lovers from across the province.

Read more about Theatre Ontario Festival on our website

ONstage Openings for the week of June 25

In Southwestern Ontario
Jun. 26, The Best Brothers at Stratford Shakespeare Festival in previews
Jun. 27, Harvey at Drayton Entertainment: Huron County Playhouse (Grand Bend)
Jun. 27, Perfect Wedding at Drayton Entertainment: Drayton Festival Theatre, with a matinee preview
Jun. 28, Big Band Legends at Drayton Entertainment: Huron County Playhouse (Grand Bend) with previews from Jun. 27
Jun. 28, Come Back, Little Sheba at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews
Jul. 1, The War Of 1812 at Stratford Shakespeare Festival, with previews from Jun. 26

In Toronto
Jun. 25, The Night Of The Assassins (Staged Reading) at Aluna Theatre
Jun. 28, A Midsummer Night's Dream at Canadian Stage, with previews from Jun. 26

In Central Ontario
Jun. 28, Murder At Fern Resort at Drayton Entertainment: King's Wharf Theatre (Penetanguishene) with previews from Jun. 27
Jun. 28, The Mousetrap at Port Hope Festival Theatre
Jun. 30, The Auction at Westben Arts Festival Theatre (Campbellford) with a preview on Jun. 29
Jul. 2, Colours In The Storm at Highlands Summer Festival (Haliburton)

In Eastern Ontario
Jun. 29, Amelia: The Girl Who Wanted To Fly at Thousand Islands Playhouse (Gananoque) with a preview on Jun. 28
Jul. 2, Henry V at A Company of Fools (Ottawa)

For all the theatre currently playing across Ontario, and information for theatres on how to submit your listings, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website

Browsing the Bulletin Board

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• STAF is offering a 15% early-bird discount on grant writing services for the upcoming TAC & OAC Theatre Project deadline, but the early-bird deadline is today
• Deadline for three awards from Playwrights Guild of Canada is Friday, June 29: the Carol Bolt Award for Playwrights, and their New Comedy and New Musical Awards

Check out all the latest postings of workshops, calls for submission, opportunities for recognition on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board (including information on how to submit) on our website

Ontario Off Stage

Conversations

• Is there a Bechdel Test for theatre?  Personally, I don’t think it’s adaptable from the film version of the test, but I think the underlying significant idea is responsible playwriting, responsible programming
• Pre-scheduled tweets: I’ve always hated them myself, but here is an awful reminder from the Downsview Park stage collapse tragedy of why they should be avoided

From The Wire

• Big thanks to Leonard McHardy of TheatreBooks for the kind shout-out to us on CBC Toronto’s Fresh Air!
• Ottawa Little Theatre is celebrating their 100th anniversary, and are looking to connect with alumnae
• Hill Strategies Research released their analysis of Statistics Canada’s Government Expenditures on Culture 2009-2010; Ontario is 9th out of 10 in per-capita provincial spending, and with all levels of government factored in, we rise to 7th

Migrations

• The news that Ken Gass had been dismissed as Artistic Director of Factory Theatre, as reported in the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail; and Factory’s announcement of a national search for a new Artistic Director (PDF)—all shared without comment, as emotions are pretty high
• Elaine Calder was announced as the new Executive Director of the Shaw Festival; for trivia buffs, she was also the very first recipient of our old Victor C. Polley Award, a kind of “rookie of the year” here-is-someone-you-should-pay-attention-to for new arts administrators

TO Toasts

• Congratulations to all of the recipients of the Toronto Arts Foundation Awards, with a tip of the hat to Jini Stolk who received the William Kilbourn Award for the Celebration of Toronto’s Cultural Life; Jini is a past recipient of the Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in Arts and Culture and a current member of the award jury

Remember, you can also receive our news every month by email.  Our archives are online and the June issue is now available.

Assembled by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Training Opportunities In Acting, Directing, Financial Literacy

It’s not too late to treat yourself to some amazing theatre training this summer from Theatre Ontario.


We still have spaces available in our Theatre Ontario Summer Theatre Intensive, running August 12 to 18 at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo.  There are:

• 2 spots available in Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Acting, with Tom Diamond
• 2 spots available in Hot Scenes—Scene Study for the Evolving Actor, with Brenda Kamino
• 2 spots available in Advanced Directing—Dramaturgy for Directors, with Virginia Reh
• 3 spots available in Physical Theatre and the Text, with Jim Warren

The price includes the course of your choice, plus all meals, accommodation, and a trip to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival to see The Matchmaker.  For more information, please visit the Summer Theatre Intensive on the Theatre Ontario website

We also still have spaces available for Theatre Ontario members in our free Financial Literacy workshop.  This session will provide information for self-employed artists on setting financial goals, managing on a low and erratic income, making a spending plan, and much more.  For more information, please visit Financial Literacy for Artists on the Theatre Ontario website

ONstage Openings for the week of June 18

In Eastern Ontario
Jun. 22, Somewhere Beyond The Sea at Thousand Islands Playhouse (Gananoque)

In Southwestern Ontario
Jun. 20, Hirsch at Stratford Shakespeare Festival in previews
Jun. 20, The Millionairess at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews
Jun. 20, Wanderlust at Stratford Shakespeare Festival in previews
Jun. 21, Self Help at Lighthouse Festival Theatre (Port Dover) with previews from Jun. 19
Jun. 22, Dear Johnny Deere at Blyth Festival, with previews from Jun. 19
Jun. 24, Henry V at Stratford Shakespeare Festival in previews

For all the theatre currently playing across Ontario, and information for theatres on how to submit your listings, visit the ONstage theatre listings on the Theatre Ontario website

Browsing The Bulletin Board

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Puppetmongers’ Advanced School of Puppetry Intensive begins today in Toronto
• Today is also the deadline for Native Earth Performing Arts’ Weesageechak Begins To Dance XXV
• Lower Ossington Theatre in Toronto is inviting submissions for cabaret-style performance for this summer; deadline is Wednesday, June 20

New on The Bulletin Board

• Acting Up Stage Company has unveiled the Syd and Shirley Banks Prize For Emerging Musical Theatre Artists—recognizing two under-exposed musical theatre artists under 30 with a cash prize, a performance/cabaret opportunity, a featured concert role, production access, and much more—submission deadline is July 13
• The Cultural Human Resources Council is presenting the inaugural DUX Award for an Outstanding Mentor; nomination deadline is July 13

Check out all the latest postings of workshops, calls for submission, and opportunities for recognition on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

A Summer Employment Experience for High School or University Students

Are you a high school or university student seeking a “summer experience” with a theatre service organization?  We have an employment opportunity for you.

Theatre Ontario is looking to hire an Education Assistant to work with our Education Coordinator in preparation of our annual summer theatre courses.  This is a 7-week program paying $10.25 an hour starting July 3, 2012 and finishing August 24, 2012.  In order to apply you must be currently enrolled in a Secondary School or Post-Secondary School have just graduated (within six months.)  Age requirements are from 15 - 24 (up to 29 for persons with a disability.)

This is a Summer Experience Program funded by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Read more about our Education Assistant Summer Experience position on the Theatre Ontario website

Office Space for Rent

Looking for an office space?  Because we're looking for a roommate.

Theatre Ontario has an office to sublet. We share a large office space with Playwrights Guild of Canada (PGC) and Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) in the Robertson Building at 215 Spadina Avenue, Toronto.

We have one office to sublet that can fit two workstations (12x8). The space is $600.00 a month and is available August 1st. As part of the sublet, you will have access to a kitchen, boardroom, postage machine and photocopier (postage and copying fees apply.)

If you are interested in this space, please contact Carol Beauchamp, Executive Director, Theatre Ontario at 416-408-4556 x.11 or e-mail carol@theatreontario.org

Deadline to Apply for the 2013 Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival Approaching

Have you been following the adventures of the 2012 Shaw Festival apprentice directors Michael Wheeler and Krista Jacksonon on Praxis Theatre?  Eager to test out your directorial mettle with a one-act play from the Shaw mandate?  The deadline to apply for the 2013 Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival is approaching.

Each season, the Shaw Festival hires two Intern Directors.  They look for promising professional directors at a point in their career where an extended residency with a company like the Shaw Festival will be of benefit to their professional development.  Applicants should have a good amount of professional experience but will not have had an opportunity to work on the scale of production that is characteristic of the Shaw Festival.  The contract can start as early as mid-February or as late as mid-March and generally runs through September, depending on the production schedule for the particular season.

Since its inception in 1988, the project has been sponsored annually by Sun Life Financial and Theatre Ontario.  The application deadline for the 2013 Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival is June 29, 2012 at 5pm.

Read more about applying for the Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival on the Theatre Ontario website

Browsing The Bulletin Board

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Starting today is week one of Puppetmongers School of Puppetry Intensive; advanced program is next week starting on June 18
• On June 12, Arts Consultants Canada is running a workshop on CADAC for arts consultants—how data can enhance and refine how arts consultants respond to clients’ planning needs
• June 15 is the deadline for the Government of Ontario’s Senior Achievement Award for significant professional and voluntary achievements made by individuals after the age of 65
• June 16 is part one of an Audition Technique Masterclass with Kelly Thornton of Nightwood Theatre
• Native Earth Performing Arts is now inviting submissions for Weesageechak Begins To Dance XXV; the deadline is June 18

Check out all the latest postings of workshops, calls for submission, and opportunities for recognition on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

ONstage Openings for the week of June 11

In Southwestern Ontario
Jun. 13, Murder At Oakwood Resort at Drayton Entertainment: Huron County Playhouse (Grand Bend) with previews from Jun. 12
Jun. 13, Dating By The Book at Port Stanley Festival Theatre
Jun. 14, Bedtime Stories at Drayton Entertainment: St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, with previews from Jun. 13

In Central Ontario
Jun. 14, Billy Bishop Goes To War at Port Hope Festival Theatre
Jun. 15, Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)

For all the theatre currently playing across Ontario, and information for theatres on how to submit your listings, visit the ONstage theatre listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

Ontario Off Stage

Conversations

• Do you know about the 100?  If you’re interested in theatre entrepreneurship, you should get to know them better

From The Wire

• Yesterday, we announced that Dave Carley was the recipient of our 2012 Maggie Bassett Award; Well, two years ago, Don Fleckser received the award and at his presentation in London, a challenge was issued…
• And good news for SummerWorks who had their funding from Heritage Canada reinstated

TO Toasts
(Pour yourself a big glass this week...)

• Congratulations to Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre, awarded the Arts Organization Award at this year’s Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts
• And more congratulations to Richard Rose, Tarragon’s Artistic Director who received the Barbara Hamilton Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts from the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA)
• Congrats also to Ruth Howard, founding Artistic Director of Jumblies Theatre, who received the George Luscombe Award for Mentorship from TAPA
• And last but not least, congratulations to Leslie Lester, Executive Director of Soulpepper Theatre Company, recipients of TAPA’s Leonard McHardy and John Harvey Award for Arts Administrators
• Oh yeah, TAPA also nominated a whole bunch of people for Dora Mavor Moore Awards, too
• And more Toronto theatre honours from the Toronto Theatre Critics’ Awards
• Don’t forget to raise your glass also to Dáirine Ní Mheadhra, Artistic Director of Queen of Puddings Music Theatre, winner of the Molson Prize from the Canada Council for developing new Canadian voices
• And the final toast is to all of the nominees for the 2012 Canadian Comedy Awards

Assembled by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Congratulations to Dave Carley, 2012 Maggie Bassett Award Recipient

“Dave Carley is a vital and valued member of Ontario’s theatrical community.”

“As an emerging artist, I need people to look up to, people to help me, and Dave Carley has been incredibly supportive, both in his class and beyond.”

“I know I speak for many other playwrights when I say that Dave Carley’s support and encouragement help to keep me going in this unpredictable and insecure field.”

“Our community is much richer because Dave Carley is in it.”

We are thrilled to announce that Theatre Ontario’s Maggie Bassett Award for 2012 shall be presented to Dave Carley.  The award, for a sustained and significant contribution by an individual to the development of theatre in Ontario, recognizes Dave’s generosity, mentorship, and artistic and professional achievements.

“Once again, we were impressed by the very high calibre of the nominations for this year’s Maggie Bassett Award,” said Leonard McHardy, Chair of the Award Jury.  “The nomination for Dave Carley stood out for many reasons, but particularly for the passionate words of support from the many people whom he has touched as an artist, and inspired as a teacher.  Dave’s selfless contribution to theatre in communities across Ontario won the unanimous support of the Jury, and we are sure Maggie would applaud this recognition.”

Dave Carley is a Peterborough-born and raised, Toronto-based playwright.  He has created a body of work that “speaks to and for Ontarians,” with world premieres in Toronto, Ottawa, Blyth, Hamilton, London, Brampton, Picton, Fergus, and (of course) Peterborough.  He has had over four hundred productions across Canada, the United States, and in many countries around the world.  Some of his works include Writing with our Feet, After You, The Edible Woman, Taking Liberties, and Walking On Water.  He has been nominated for Chalmers Awards, Dora Mavor Moore Awards, and Governor General’s Literary Awards, and his body of work was recognized with the prestigious Arthur Miller Playwriting Award.  He was the former editor at the Playwrights Union of Canada (now Playwrights Guild of Canada), Play Editor for Scirocco Drama, and Playwright-in-Residence at both the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and the Shaw Festival.  He served on the Board of Cahoots Theatre Company, and is described as “invaluable” in the formation of Peterborough’s New Stages Theatre Company.

His first exposure to theatre was at the Peterborough Theatre Guild, which premiered his musical Susanna.  He remains a keen supporter of community and educational theatre, encouraging young playwrights to get involved with amateur groups and see plays at the community level, and he is—as Glenda MacFarlane, one of his nominators, observed—“as keenly interested in a high school production of one of his plays as if it was being performed Off-Broadway!”  His legacy as a mentor has been praised by both playwrights and playwriting teachers for his skill in giving feedback to emerging playwrights while supporting their distinctive voices.

The award will be presented to Dave on October 22nd in Mississauga at Playwrights Guild of Canada’s annual awards event.  “We’re very excited to be able to host the presentation of Theatre Ontario’s Maggie Bassett Award and share in this celebration of  a playwright who has contributed so significantly to theatre in Ontario,” said Robin Sokoloski, Executive Director of Playwrights Guild of Canada.

“I feel very honoured to receive this award,” said Dave.  “I have always been deeply grateful for the many artists who have encouraged my own development over the years, including two seminal figures at the very start of my journey—Robert Weaver and Margaret Laurence.  One of the great pleasures of my subsequent career in stage and radio drama has been working with other theatre artists and, whenever possible, encouraging them to persevere in bringing their own acts of imagination to the page, stage and airwaves.”

Theatre Ontario’s Maggie Bassett Award is presented to an individual who, over a number of years, has made a sustained and significant contribution to the development of theatre in Ontario.  As Theatre Ontario’s first employee, the late Maggie Bassett created a solid foundation for the organization by launching the Professional Theatre Training Program, Summer Courses, and the newsletter.  Her love for the arts held no barriers between community, professional or educational theatre.  Maggie was also a fine director and actress and performed at Tarragon Theatre, Huron County Playhouse, and at the Alumnae Theatre.  For many years, she attended all regional festivals.  She was known for her warmth, humour, sparkle and the sincere encouragement she bestowed on those around her.  This award is for dedication to theatre beyond the call of duty.  The award is a stunning bronze statuette entitled “COURAGE”, designed by Rita Tuckett and sculpted by Ronald Thom.

Past recipients of Theatre Ontario’s Maggie Bassett Award are Ken Watts, Elsie Thomson, Jean Roberts, Herbert Whittaker, Heather McCallum, Herman Voaden, Dennis Sweeting, Jack Medhurst, Jack Blacklock, Sandy Black, Patricia Beharriell, Wilf Pegg, Virginia Reh, Lib Spry, Wayne Fairhead, Richard Howard, Dusty Miller, Kay McKie, Beth McMaster, Sandra Tulloch, Jeff Burke, James Alexander, Ron Cameron-Lewis, Angela Rebeiro, Kim Renders, Yvette Nolan, Alex Mustakas, Don Fleckser, and Diana Belshaw.

Read more about Theatre Ontario’s Maggie Bassett Award on the Theatre Ontario website

Welcome to our New Board of Directors

By Carol Beauchamp, Executive Director

As a very busy spring rapidly comes to a close, and the summer approaches, I wanted to take the time to give my sincere thanks to the outgoing Board of Theatre Ontario, and to welcome the new Board that was elected at our Annual General Meeting on May 26th.

It is with sincere gratitude that I thank our outgoing Board for their energy and commitment to Theatre Ontario.  Theatre Ontario’s strength comes from the passion and engagement of its members, and the support that our dedicated and enthusiastic Board of Directors gives to our staff.

I would like to thank Julianne Snepsts who has so willingly given of her leadership and insights to the Board for over eight years – three years of which as our President, and I am so delighted that she will continue to be active on the Board for another year as our Past President.  Julianne has managed to juggle a young family and a busy career, and I know that the Festival Players of Prince Edward County in Picton are benefitting from her creativity and professionalism as she immerses herself in the role of General Manager.

Other busy Board members who have shared their wisdom and expertise with our Board are: Chris Scholey, our incredibly hard working former Treasurer who went above and beyond; Andy Trasuk, who commuted from Cornwall to attend all our meetings; Brian Van Norman, whose wisdom we missed when he retired and embarked on a world cruise; Debra McLauchlan, whose commitment to Theatre Ontario continues as she serves on the Jury for the Youth Theatre Training Program; Emma MacKenzie-Hillier, who gave unstintingly of her time even with her very hectic professional schedule; Mike Grit, whose insightful analysis was always astute; and Angela Rebeiro who brought a wealth of theatrical and publishing knowledge.

I am delighted to welcome our 2012/13 Board of Directors who are already busy working on a number of projects over the summer months: new members Elley-Ray Hennessy, an award-winning actress, writer, director and producer; and Renna Reddie, Artistic Producer of the Carlos Bulosan Theatre; and returning members Ken Stephen, former Michael Spence Award recipient for sustained contribution to community theatre; Tabitha Keast, an active actor and copy editor; Deb Sholdice, General Manager of Blyth Theatre; Dr. Barry Freeman, Assistant Professor in Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Toronto—Scarborough Campus; Helen Landry, representing the QUONTA drama region in the north; Brenda Barr-Worsnop, representing the Eastern Ontario Drama League; John Goddard, retired arts administrator and passionate theatre aficionado; Mark Mooney, representing the Western Ontario Drama League; Julianne Snepsts General Manager of the Festival Players in Picton; and last, but not least, Cam Lund, our new President!

Cam brings a wonderfully collaborative approach to the role of Board President with over twenty years senior management experience in banking and telecommunications and a complimentary experience in community theatre as an actor, group president, and President of the Association of Community Theatres of Central Ontario (ACT-CO).  Cam has a wealth of experience in creating innovative collaborative partnerships, and I know he is looking forward to helping Theatre Ontario grow and develop as we implement our strategic plan with the able assistance of our new Board.

A big thank you once again to our past and current Board of Directors!  Thank you – we couldn’t do it without you!

Congratulations to Spring 2012 YTTP Recipients

Theatre Ontario is pleased to announce the latest recipients of training grants through Theatre Ontario’s Youth Theatre Training Program (YTTP).  $23,100 was awarded in total among the following recipients:

• Acting Up Stage Company (Toronto/GTA) – One Song Glory
• Alameda Theatre (Toronto) – Nuevo Voz: A Latin Youth Initiative
• Artists Mentoring Youth—The AMY Project (Toronto) – Summer Training Program
• b current (Toronto) – rAiz’n Summer Arts
• Cahoots Theatre (Toronto) – The Canvas
• Lookup Theatre (Owen Sound) – Grey-Bruce Circus Theatre
• Odyssey Theatre (Ottawa) – Youth Theatre Apprenticeship Program
• Suitcase In Point Theatre (St. Catharines) – Summer Theatre Intensive

The next application deadline for this program is October 15, 2012.

Read more about Theatre Ontario’s Youth Theatre Training Program on our website.

This program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Introducing a New Workshop on Financial Literacy

Theatre Ontario is pleased to introduce a new, free workshop “Financial Literacy for Theatre Artists” running on July 26 in Toronto.  Artists provide a valuable service to our communities, yet according to StatsCan artists are among the lowest income earners in Canada.  Learning some basic skills will enable you to take control of your finances and make the best possible money decisions.

Join us for this session to discuss what self-employed artists should know about:

• Setting Financial Goals
• Managing on a Low and Erratic Income
• Making a Spending Plan
• Dealing with Debt
• All About Credit including Credit Cards
• Smart Banking
• Planning for Retirement

This session will be led by Tessa-Marie Schillingford.  Tessa-Marie is the author of Controlling the Debt Monster. She is a Personal Financial Planner with a designation from the Institute of Canadian Bankers and is also a certified Financial Counsellor by the Institute of Canadian Bankers.

Theatre Ontario members have priority registration for this workshop until June 29.  Read more about Theatre Ontario’s Financial Literacy for Theatre Artists workshop on our website, and register online.

ONstage Openings for the week of June 4

In Eastern Ontario
Jun. 5, Dangerous Liaisons at Ottawa Little Theatre
Jun. 9, Hotbed Hotel at Upper Canada Playhouse (Morrisburg) with previews from Jun. 7

In Southwestern Ontario
Jun. 7, Key For Two at Elgin Theatre Guild (St. Thomas)
Jun. 8, Arsenic And Old Lace at London Community Players
Jun. 9, The Wizard Of Oz at Drayton Entertainment: Huron County Playhouse (Grand Bend) with previews from Jun. 5
Jun. 10, His Girl Friday at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) in previews

In Toronto
Jun. 7, The Graduate at Scarborough Players
Jun. 7, Cabaret at Cats Mainstage Theatre Company

In Central Ontario
Jun. 5, Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks at Orillia Opera House
Jun. 7, The Odd Couple at Owen Sound Little Theatre

For all the theatre currently playing across Ontario, and information for theatres on how to submit your listings, visit the ONstage theatre listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

Browsing The Bulletin Board

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Today (June 4) is the deadline for submissions to Great Canadian Theatre Company’s undercurrents Festival in Ottawa
• Friday, June 8 is the deadline for nominations for the 2012 Siminovitch Prize in Theatre; the final round of this award will honour a designer

New on The Bulletin Board

• Native Earth Performing Arts is now inviting submissions for Weesageechak Begins To Dance XXV; the deadline is June 18

Check out all the latest postings of workshops, calls for submission, and opportunities for recognition on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website