2012 Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in Arts and Culture awarded to Heather Young

Theatre Ontario is thrilled to announce that the 2012 Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in Arts and Culture has been awarded to Heather Young, in recognition of the value, insight and stability she has brought to the planning and management needs of over a hundred individual artists and organizations in the province and beyond.

“We had a difficult decision, as there were several outstanding candidates nominated for this year’s award,” said Peter Honeywell, Executive Director of the Council for the Arts in Ottawa, and chair of the 2012 Award Jury.

Heather has worked in the field of arts management for twenty-five years. Her experience includes leadership roles with a variety of arts and heritage service organizations, theatre and dance producing companies, galleries and museums, facilities, festivals and community organizations, in both professional and volunteer capacities. For two decades, Heather has taught accounting and financial management to diploma and continuing education students.  She founded Young Associates in 1993, and in 2005 published Finance for the Arts in Canada, a unique self-study guide, reference source and textbook for the accounting and finance functions in cultural organizations.

“I am honoured and humbled to join the company of outstanding managers and leaders who have received this award,” said Heather.  “It has been an absolute privilege for me to share in the evolution and development of the arts and culture sector in Ontario.  My clients and the amazing work they do has been my inspiration. I am grateful to Theatre Ontario and to the jury for this recognition.”

The award was presented to Heather on October 29, as part of Creative Trust’s Sunset Bash.  The Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in Arts and Culture is presented annually to an individual or a collective whose initiative, activism, leadership, and service has contributed to the development and strengthening of arts and culture in Ontario through innovative and practical initiatives.  While Theatre Ontario donates administration for this award, it recognizes achievements in all artistic and cultural disciplines.  The award was established in 1998 by friends and colleagues of Ms. Tulloch on her retirement as Executive Director of Theatre Ontario.  This award pays tribute to the outstanding contribution that Sandra Tulloch has made to the arts in Ontario.

Read more about the Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in Arts and Culture on the Theatre Ontario website

Browsing The Bulletin Board

• Is being a Board member of a theatre or cultural organization for you?  Register for Do You Want To Make A Difference? with Brenda Worsnop on November 16
• Suddenly you look around and realize that those running your organization represent a skilled, experienced and mature group.  What is going to happen when you don’t want the responsibility of running the organization, when all you want to do is create?  Register for Keeping Your Theatre/Arts Board Healthy with Cheryl Ewing on November 17
• Are you an actor? Set designer? Production manager? Technician? If you work in theatre and you don't already have one, you've probably asked yourself, “Do I really need a website?” This workshop will show you why the answer is an emphatic, “Yes you do!”  Register for The Why and How of a Successful Web Presence with Paul Snepsts on November 19
• Professional Theatre Training Program Talk Back and Mixer – Can you benefit from mentorship?  Looking to further or change your career?  Develop a new skill?  Mentoring through Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program might be for you.  RSVP for the Professional Theatre Training Program Talk Back and Mixer on November 20
• For actors beginning their professional careers, answering the most frequently asked questions about the business of acting.  Register for Getting Started for Actors with Tim Chapman on November 21
• For organizations to help identify where your social media content comes from, what voice you should use, what are the latest trends, and how it can assist rather than distract from the work.  Register for Social Media: Live Performance and Community Engagement for your Theatre Community with Michael Wheeler on November 27
• If you want to do a show but have never produced professionally before, and if you want to know what questions to ask first, this session is for you!  Register for Self-Start: The Basics of Producing with Tim Chapman on November 28
• A session for new performers covering the basics of the agent/performer relationship and some general business information.  Register for Ask an Agent with Alicia Jeffrey on November 28

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Deadline to submit for rock.paper.sistahz festival 12 from b current is tomorrow, October 31
• Artists’ Health Alliance is holding a workshop on Psychology of Performance, running November 3 in Toronto, with a discount for Theatre Ontario members
• Deadline to apply for the Toronto Fringe Festival Lottery, and for Culturally Diverse Artists Projects is November 5—and don’t forget about the Site-Specific Art Category, too

New on The Bulletin Board

• Jumblies Theatre is holding a seminar on November 22 on the Convergence Project—exploring the relationship between meditation, spirituality and community arts

Check out these items and all of our 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 October 29

In Northeastern Ontario
Nov. 1, How It Works at Sudbury Theatre Centre

In South Central Ontario
Nov. 1, Frankenstein at The Oakville Players

In Southwestern Ontario
Nov. 1, Caught In The Net at Theatre Tillsonburg
Nov. 2, Job's Blues - A Blues Opera at Grey Wellingon Theatre Guild (Harriston)

In Toronto
Oct. 29, Aluna Cafe: Selections from Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz at Aluna Theatre
Oct. 31, Endgame at Soulpepper Theatre (currently in previews)
Nov. 1, Speaking In Tongues at Canadian Stage (with previews from Oct. 29)
Nov. 1, The Wizard Of Oz at Scarborough Music Theatre

In Central Ontario
Nov. 2, The Ghosts Of Aisne at Peterborough Theatre Guild

In Eastern Ontario
Nov. 2, Fly Me To The Moon at Great Canadian Theatre Company (Ottawa) with previews from Oct. 30
Nov. 2, Murder Me Always at Mississippi Mudds of Carleton Place

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.

Recognizing Outstanding Contributions to Community Theatre in Eastern Ontario

Theatre Ontario is now inviting nominations for our 2013 Michael Spence Award for Contribution to Community Theatre.  This award honours an individual for his/her outstanding contribution to community theatre in his/her region over a sustained time.  It is now presented annually to an individual from the region that is hosting the Theatre Ontario Festival—which in 2013 is Eastern Ontario.

“Since 1997, we have been demonstrating our leadership in the Ontario community theatre sector by honouring outstanding leaders in their regions,” said Carol Beauchamp, Executive Director of Theatre Ontario.  “By increasing the frequency of the award, and involving the local theatres in the nominating process, we will continue to strengthen the profile of community theatre and its leaders in Ontario.”

The criteria for the award are:

• Sustained contribution to community theatre;
• Generosity of spirit, involvement, and commitment to community theatre that is legendary within his/her region, helping community theatre flourish.

Past recipients of the award are Joan McRae, Anne Wilson, Lillian Sievanen, Betty Coates, Sharon Sproule, Arlene Watson, Vince Mathewson, David Glover, Harry Houston, Hans Warmenhoven, Beth McMaster, Val Hadley, Maureen Lukie, Gabe Ferrazzo, Ken Stephen, Margaret Shearman, Lawrie Bonanno, Jo-anne Spitzer, and Walter Maskel.

The 2013 award will be presented to an individual from the Eastern Ontario community theatre region.  The Eastern Ontario community theatre region includes Northumberland County, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, Hastings County, Renfrew County, and all other municipalities eastward to the Quebec border.

The award was established in 1997 by Theatre Ontario on the occasion of Theatre Ontario's 25th Anniversary.  Multiple awards were presented on the quinquennial anniversaries of Theatre Ontario until 2012, when it became a single, annual award.  The award is named in honour of Michael Spence, the founding President of Theatre Ontario.  Michael was active in community theatre at Hart House Theatre, London Little Theatre, and the University Alumnae Dramatic Club (now known as Alumnae Theatre.)  He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Dominion Drama Festival, a past President of Arts Etobicoke, and continues to be an enthusiastic supporter of Theatre Ontario.

The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2013.

Read more about the Michael Spence Award for Contribution to Community Theatre, download the award guidelines, and nomination form on the Theatre Ontario website

Congratulatations to the 2013 Shaw Intern Directors

Theatre Ontario congratulates Rose Plotek of Toronto and Paul Van Dyck of Montreal who have been chosen as the Intern Directors for the 2013 Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival.

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 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 Intern Directors work under the mentorship of the Directors of the Academy - the Shaw Festival’s professional development and public education wing.  Each Intern is assigned to two or three successive shows as an Assistant Director.  The “Director’s Project” is the culmination of the Intern Director’s season, and consists of a double-bill of two one-act plays directed by the two Intern Directors, chosen from the period of The Shaw’s original mandate.

Since its inception in 1988, the project has been sponsored annually by Sun Life Financial and Theatre Ontario.

Read more about Rose Plotek and Paul Van Dyck on the Theatre Ontario website

Browsing The Bulletin Board

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Deadline for the 2013 Toronto Fringe New Play contest is October 26
• Artists’ Health Alliance in Toronto is running a workshop on October 27 on Vocal Fitness for Performers—focusing on healthy voice strategies; there is a workshop discount for Theatre Ontario members
• Deadline to apply to Direct for Alumnae Theatre’s New Ideas Festival in Toronto is October 27

New on The Bulletin Board

• The next Artists’ Health Alliance workshop will be on November 3, focusing on Psychology of Performance
• Latest call for OAC Theatre Creators applications is from Tarragon Theatre—their deadline is December 14, but they encourage submissions early as they often award grants as they receive expressions of interest

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

ONstage Openings for the week of October 22

In Eastern Ontario
Oct. 23, The Hollow at Ottawa Little Theatre

In Southwestern Ontario
Oct. 26, The Rocky Horror Show at Goderich Little Theatre

In Toronto
Oct. 24, Miss Caledonia at Tarragon Theatre (currently in previews)
Oct. 24, Political Mother at Canadian Stage
Oct. 25, Dinner With Goebbels at ACT II Studio Theatre
Oct. 25, My Boy Jack at East Side Players
Oct. 25, The Rocky Horror Show at Curtain Call Players
Oct. 26, Summerfolk at Ryerson Theatre School
Oct. 26, Alligator Pie at Soulpepper Theatre
Oct. 26, Endgame at Soulpepper Theatre (in previews)

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.

Ontario Off Stage

Behind The Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres

• Canadian Actors’ Equity Council elections are underway for both the Ontario and Eastern Ontario And Outaouais regions; I’ve been told it’s a record number of candidates in Ontario, which I think speaks to a highly motivated and engaged community committed to an organization that is a vital part of our theatrical ecosystem

Conversations

• What’s the benchmark for using Twitter for customer service?  Rebecca Coleman explores some case studies of what companies have done (good and bad) that can inform theatres' use of this tool

Migrations

• Alisa Palmer is the new Artistic Director of the National Theatre School of Canada’s English Section

TO Toasts

• Congratulations to all of the nominees for the Ottawa’s Capital Critics’ Circle Awards
• Congratulations to Jeff Cummings, Production Manager at Young People’s Theatre in Toronto who received the DUX Award for Mentorship from Cultural Human Resources Canada

You can also receive news from Theatre Ontario every month by email.  (Unfortunately, due to technical problems at Constant Contact, our most current archives are not available, but you can catch up on some of our past issues.)

Assembled by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Upcoming Workshop Opportunities in November

The Theatre Ontario office will be a hub for learning and networking opportunities this November, with a variety of exciting workshops on the calendar.

Do You Want To Make A Difference? with Brenda Worsnop on November 16 – Is being a Board member of a theatre or cultural organization for you?

Keeping Your Theatre/Arts Board Healthy with Cheryl Ewing on November 17 – Assisting organizations and their Boards in safeguarding their legacy through succession planning

The Why and How of a Successful Web Presence with Paul Snepsts on November 19 – Helping individual theatre practitioners be online - to market yourself, to show off your talents, and to brag about your accomplishments

Professional Theatre Training Program Talk Back and Mixer with Tim Chapman and past PTTP Grant Recipients on November 20 – Can you benefit from mentorship?  Looking to further or change your career?  Develop a new skill?  Mentoring through Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program might be for you.

Getting Started for Actors with Tim Chapman on November 21 – For actors beginning their professional careers, answering the most frequently asked questions about the business of acting

Social Media: Live Performance and Community Engagement for your Theatre Community with Michael Wheeler on November 27 – Helping organizations identify where your social media content comes from, what voice you should use, what are the latest trends, and how it can assist rather than distract from the work

Self-Start: The Basics of Producing with Tim Chapman on November 28 – If you want to do a show but have never produced professionally before, and if you want to know what questions to ask first, this session is for you!

Ask an Agent with Alicia Jeffrey on November 28 – A session for new performers covering the basics of the agent/performer relationship and some general business information

Read more about all of the training opportunities at Theatre Ontario on our website

Browsing The Bulletin Board

New on The Bulletin Board

• OAC Theatre Creators’ Reserve at Great Canadian Theatre Company deadline is December 3; funding priorities are playwrights and collectives based in Ottawa; they will also consider applications from artists who originate from Ottawa
• The second annual Gina Wilkinson Prize for an Emerging Female Director is now inviting nominations; this prize is for female theatre artists who have spent several years in a theatre discipline other than directing (acting, stage management, design, theatre administration, etc.) and who are now attempting to transition into directing; the nomination deadline is December 15

Check out these items and all of our 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 October 15

In Toronto
Oct. 17, My Name Is Rachel Corrie at Hart House Theatre
Oct. 19, The Normal Heart at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Oct. 19, The Rocky Horror Show at Lower Ossington Theatre
Oct. 19, The Hours That Remain at New Harlem Productions

In Central Ontario
Oct. 18, The Spitfire Grill at Huntsville Community Theatre Company

In Eastern Ontario
Oct. 19, Glace Bay Miners' Museum at National Arts Centre—English Theatre (Ottawa) with previews from Oct. 16
Oct. 19, Much Ado About Nothing at Mississippi Mudds of Carleton Place
Oct. 19, Nunsensations! The Vegas Revue at Seaway Valley Theatre Company (Cornwall)

In South Central Ontario
Oct. 18, What Is Susan's Secret at Peel Panto Players (Brampton)

In Southwestern Ontario
Oct. 16, Calendar Girls at The Grand Theatre (London)
Oct. 18, Fox on the Fairway at Elgin Theatre Guild (St. Thomas)
Oct. 19, Next To Normal at Hammer Entertainment (Hamilton)

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

• Paprika Festival applications are due on October 12
• Deadline for nominations for the Robert Johnson Award from Work In Culture is also October 12; this award honours those who “further human resources development in the cultural sector in Ontario”
• First day of auditions for Acting Up Stage Company’s One Song Glory, a free professional music theatre training program for performers under 19 is on October 14
• Upcoming OAC Theatre Creators Reserve deadline as Odyssey Theatre (October 15)

Check out these items and all of our 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 October 9

In Southwestern Ontario
Oct. 13, Water Under The Bridge at Carousel Players (St. Catharines)

In Toronto
Oct. 9, Tear The Curtain! at Canadian Stage, currently in previews
Oct. 9, I On The Sky at Young People's Theatre
Oct. 11, De Colores Festival of New Works at Alameda Theatre Company
Oct. 11, Dracula, A Love Story at Brant Theatre Workshops
Oct. 12, Bloodless: The Trial Of Burke and Hare at Theatre 20, with previews from Oct. 9

In Central Ontario
Oct. 12, Henry And Alice: Into The Wild at Theatre Orangeville, with a preview on Oct. 11

In Eastern Ontario
Oct. 10, Blue Suede Shoes at Upper Canada Playhouse (Morrisburg)
Oct. 11, Theatre Newfoundland Labrador's production of Tempting Providence at Thousand Islands Playhouse (Gananoque) with a preview on Oct. 10
Oct. 11, The Importance Of Being Earnest at Belleville Theatre Guild
Oct. 11, Be Kind, Rewind at Peterborough Theatre Guild
Oct. 14, Macbeth at Salamander Theatre (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.

Ontario Off Stage

Behind The Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres

• Congratulations to 2012 Shaw Intern Directors Michael Wheeler and Krista Jackson for another exciting Directors Day on September 21. After seeing two engaging productions on that Friday, it was wonderful to hear from The Shaw on Monday that 2011 Intern Director Craig Hall would be directing Faith Healer as part of the 2013 season
• Mirvish Productions has proposed tearing down the Princess of Wales Theatre to build a “culture and condo complex”; this provoked strong negative reaction, but there have been some compelling cases made about why we should not automatically push the panic button—good opinion pieces from Michael on PraxisTheatre.com, J. Kelly Nestruck in the Globe and Mail, and Holger Syme on Dispositio

From The Wire

• Ontario has announced it is extending the grace period for repaying student loans for those who take their first job post-graduation in the not-for-profit sector

Migrations

• Ashley Judd-Rifkin is the new General Manager of the MT Space in Waterloo

TO Toasts

• …to the playwrights short-listed for the 2012 Playwrights Guild of Canada Awards
• …to the designers short-listed for the 2012 Siminovitch Prize
• …and to the writers short-listed for the 2012 Governor General’s Literary Awards—not just in the Drama category, as playwrights are nominated also for work in Translation and Children’s Literature

Assembled by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Can you benefit from mentorship?

Can you benefit from mentorship?  Looking to further or change your career?  Develop a new skill?  Join us on November 20th to learn about mentoring through Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program, to network with past recipients of the program, and to be inspired and moved by the possibilities.

Mentoring through Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program—funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario—is a valuable way of:

• Learning from experienced professionals
• Benefiting from one-to-one guidance
• Making valuable connections & expanding your network
• Enhancing your career opportunities

You will also have the opportunity to network with

• Colin Doyle: Actor and producer.  Colin received a PTTP grant in 2010 to train in producing with Sandra Lefrancois at Cahoots Theatre.
• Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu: Director.  Mumbi received a PTTP grant in 2011 to train in directing with Ross Manson at Volcano Theatre.
• Sigrid Velis: Artistic Associate and Administrative Assistant, Alameda Theatre.  Sigrid received a PTTP grant in 2010 to train in arts administration with Marilo Nunez at Alameda Theatre.
• Tim Chapman: Professional Theatre Coordinator at Theatre Ontario.  Tim administers the PTTP and will moderate the evening.  Tim also received a PTTP grant in 1980 to train in arts administration with Mallory Gilbert at Tarragon Theatre.

Read more about Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program Talk Back Session and Mixer

Ask an Agent at Theatre Ontario

We are pleased to announce a new information session from Theatre Ontario.  “Ask an Agent,” with Alicia Jeffrey of The Characters Talent Agency, will cover the basics of the agent/performer relationship and some general business information.  The session will run on November 28 at 6:30pm in Toronto.

The session will answer questions such as:

• What does an agent do and why you should have one?
• How do you go about looking for an agent? What sort of materials will you be expected to have with you and will you be asked to audition?
• When meeting with agents, what should you look for?
• What can you do as a performer to keep your relationship with your agent on track and aiming towards your business goals?
• If you ever have to leave an agent what is the best way of going about that?
• Is it best to join one of the two unions right away or stay non-union while gaining experience?
• What can you expect to get out of this profession? What to expect if you achieve success as an actor?

The session is $20 (plus HST) for Theatre Ontario members, $30 (plus HST) for non-members.

Read more about Alicia Jeffrey and Theatre Ontario’s “Ask an Agent” information session, on the Theatre Ontario website

Browsing The Bulletin Board

Don't forget: The deadline for applications to Theatre Ontario's Youth Theatre Training Program (YTTP) is October 15.  YTTP funds accessible training programs involving youth aged 14 to 21.  (Returning applicants please note that there are new requirements regarding Vulnerable Sector Screening under "Requirements for the Grant" in the YTTP guidelines.)

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Upcoming deadlines for OAC Theatre Creators Reserve funding at Aluna Theatre (deadline of October 3) and the Toronto Fringe Festival (deadline of October 8)

New on The Bulletin Board

• Call for submissions for b current’s rock.paper.sistahz festival 12; deadline is October 31
• Alameda Theatre Company in Toronto is inviting applications for Nueva Voz, a youth mentorship project designed for young Latinos/as roughly between the ages of 14 and 19, who may be interested in theatre but not necessarily have the experience; this project is partially funded by the aforementioned Youth Theatre Training Program and the application deadline is November 30

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

ONstage Openings for the week of October 1

In South Central Ontario
Oct. 4, Pygmalion at Oshawa Little Theatre
Oct. 4, Rope's End at Burl-Oak Theatre Group (Oakville)
Oct. 5, The Glorious 12th at Theatre Aurora

In Southwestern Ontario
Oct. 4, Sleuth at Drayton Entertainment: St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, with previews from Oct. 3

In Toronto
Oct. 7, Tear The Curtain! at Canadian Stage

In Eastern Ontario
Oct. 3, The Library Chronicles at Theatre Kingston

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.