Thursday 31 January 2013

Canada’s Anti-Spam Law: What Theatre Practitioners Need To Know

By Sarah Farrell, J.D.

Theatres use email and social networking every day to sell tickets to shows, promote events, solicit for donations and volunteers, and engage with audiences between productions.  Canada’s new anti-spam law (commonly known as “CASL”), currently under review and expected to come into force in late 2013 or early 2014, will place considerable restrictions on the sending of commercial electronic messages (which include emails, messages to social networking accounts and text messages.)  Failure to comply with CASL requirements may result in penalties of up to $1 million for individuals and up to $10 million for corporations.

Once CASL is in force, following a mandated transition period and subject to some exceptions, senders will be prohibited from sending (or allowing to be sent on their behalf) any commercial electronic messages without first obtaining express or implied consent from each intended recipient of those commercial electronic messages.  The rules and restrictions surrounding express and implied consent are outlined in CASL. 

Regardless of whether a sender is able to rely on express or implied consent under the law, all commercial electronic messages will have to include specific information with respect to the sender, and a CASL-compliant unsubscribe mechanism.  Recipients will be permitted to withdraw express or implied consent at any time, and senders will be required to comply with unsubscribe requests within a specific period of time--without recipients having to take any further actions.  Senders will want to keep clear records of all express and implied consents, and should keep track of the expiry or withdrawal of any such consents so that commercial electronic messages are not sent to any recipients whose consents have expired or been withdrawn.

With some forward planning and thoughtful administration, you may be able to avoid incurring costly unwanted penalties.  Join us on March 26 at 2pm for Theatre Ontario’s workshop “Canada’s Anti-Spam Law: What Theatre Practitioners Need To Know” to learn more about the restrictions and compliance requirements set out under this law.

Sarah Farrell (www.sarahfarrell-law.com) is a Toronto-based entertainment lawyer who focuses on the law affecting theatre practitioners in Ontario.  The contents of this article do not constitute legal advice nor do they create a solicitor/client relationship between Sarah Farrell and the reader.  Each individual and organization will have its own specific concerns and circumstances that it will need to address when dealing with the issues set out in this article.  It is strongly recommended that the reader seek independent legal advice prior to following any course of action related to this article.  This article is not an exhaustive review of the topic set out herein and only provides a snapshot overview of some of the issues surrounding that topic.  Source: http://fightspam.gc.ca/eic/site/030.nsf/eng/home

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Browsing The Bulletin Board

There are a few spaces still available in our Self-Start: The Basics of Producing workshop on February 6—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!

We are also still inviting applications for our Introduction to Adjudication course, starting March 12 in Guelph.  Participants will receive training in the principles of adjudication, attend performances of the 2013 Western Ontario Drama League Festival of community theatre, practice adjudicating presentation skills in a private setting, and have the opportunity to perform a practice adjudication at an Ontario community theatre.  The application deadline is February 11.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board
  • The Toronto Fringe Festival still has spaces in the Site-Specific Art category, and are seeking proposals for works that are created to exist in a certain space, animate an unexpected location with performance, and challenge our view of spaces and places.  The proposal deadline is March 4 at 5pm, or when they have filled a maximum of 20 production slots, whichever comes first.
New on The Bulletin Board
  • Buddies In Bad Times’ Rhubarb Festival is seeking volunteers to assist artists and festival staff; usher audience members to their performances; and act as a festival representative to our curious public.  The mandatory orientation session is February 13.
  • Magnetic North Theatre Festival is inviting submissions for Pitches at the 2013 Festival—this program is for professional artists with projects that have financial and producing strategies in place, seeking collaborators to take the project to the next level.  Application deadline is March 1.

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

Tuesday 29 January 2013

Theatre Ontario Invites Nominations for Board Members For 2013-2014

Theatre Ontario invites nominations from individuals interested in serving on our Board of Directors who are committed to assisting Theatre Ontario in its mission to develop and support theatre practitioners across the province, by providing resources, networking, training, and advocacy.

Theatre Ontario also invites nominations for Board members who are not necessarily practicing in theatre, but who are passionate about it and may bring other necessary skills and experience to the Board.

The Board acts as an advocate with the provincial government and the municipalities for issues affecting theatre and the arts.  Board members are expected to participate in Board meetings (usually held four times a year at our Head Office in Toronto), to participate in at least one Board committee (minimum of four meetings a year, not necessarily in person), and to engage in generating revenue (from fundraising, sponsorships, memberships, and services) on behalf of the organization.

Ten of the fifteen positions on the Board are currently elected “to reflect the mandate to ensure regional representation and representation from the professional and educational theatre sectors, as well as any special expertise the Board may require from time to time.”

The nomination deadline is March 26, 2013 at 5pm.  Read the full Call For Nominations for the 2013-2014 Theatre Ontario Board of Directors on our website

Monday 28 January 2013

ONstage Openings for the week of January 28


In Southwestern Ontario
Feb. 1, Grey Gardens at Hammer Entertainment (Hamilton)

In Toronto
Jan. 28, Aluna Cafe: Casa at Aluna Theatre
Jan. 30, Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata at Factory Theatre in co-production with Acting Up Stage Company in previews
Jan. 31, Every Letter Counts at Factory Theatre (currently in previews) – world premiere
Jan. 31, Apartment 3A at Amicus Productions

In Eastern Ontario
Jan. 30, blue/orange at Theatre Kingston
Feb. 1, Metamorphoses at National Arts Centre—English Theatre (Ottawa) with previews from Jan. 29

In South Central Ontario
Feb. 1, Suddenly Last Summer at Theatre Burlington

For more information on these shows and other theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website.

Thursday 24 January 2013

Call for Applications for the Professional Theatre Training Program


We are now inviting applications for the March 1, 2013 deadline for Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP), funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

The Professional Theatre Training Program offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.) One can apply for professional development in his/her own discipline, or a "change of direction" in a career. To apply, applicants must have at least two years of professional experience following their formal education.

Read more about Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program on our website.  After reading the PTTP guidelines, applicants are encouraged to contact Tim Chapman, Professional Theatre Coordinator (tim@theatreontario.org or 416.408.4556 x.12) regarding your application.

Read also about the most recent mentorships (Fall 2012) funded by Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training program.

Wednesday 23 January 2013

Browsing The Bulletin Board

We still have a few spaces available in our Getting Started for Actors workshop on January 30

You can also still RSVP for tomorrow’s free Grant Writing Information Session in Burlington for Playwrights and Theatre Artists

And Save-the-Date for Theatre Ontario's Annual General Meeting on May 25

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board
  • Acting Up Stage Company’s Noteworthy program—for composers and playwrights looking for the chance to explore musical collaboration, and for completed or ‘work-in-progress’ original Canadian musicals that are looking for further development and/or production—has application deadlines of January 25
  • Peterborough Theatre Guild is hosting an acting workshop with Randy Read, “Beginning Steps in Taking It Off The Page” starting January 27
  • TAPA is hosting a workshop on "Let's Talk Traffic" on January 31, registration deadline is January 28
  • Deadline for nominations for the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers is January 31
Check out these items—and all our postings of workshops, calls for submission, opportunities for recognition, and much more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Celebrating the 19th Annual Theatre Ontario Showcase

Over 235 students took the stage Sunday and Monday for Theatre Ontario Showcase, our annual event presenting the graduating classes of conservatory theatre programs from across Ontario, and the National Theatre School in Montreal.  (Read the full line-up of participating schools)

As part of Showcase, we also held professional panels on Sunday evening.  This entertaining and informative event gives the graduates a chance to talk to industry professionals about the realities of the business from a variety of perspectives.  “The Business of Casting” panel featured casting directors Jenny Lewis and Sara Kay from Lewis Kay Casting (CBC series Republic Of Doyle), agent Pam Winter (from Gary Goddard Agency), and Artistic Directors Matthew Jocelyn (Canadian Stage Company) and Allen MacInnis (Young People’s Theatre.)  The “Surviving a Career in Acting / Love Of Acting” panel featured Ted Dykstra, Michael Healey, Mike Ross, and Pamela Sinha, sharing their personal experiences in the business.  Both panels were moderated by Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Coordinator Tim Chapman, and held at Young People’s Theatre.

We were also thrilled to be able to host a Showcase Networking Party for the participants on Monday, an evening of fun, food, mixing and mingling, sponsored by Sheridan College and Jack Astor’s in the St. Lawrence Market.

Thanks also to everyone who contributed to the conversation at #toshowcase – we will publishing a Storify of all the Showcase 2013 tweets soon!

Read more about Theatre Ontario Showcase on our website






Monday 21 January 2013

ONstage Openings for the week of January 21

In South Central Ontario
Jan. 25, Follies at Theatre Unlimited (Mississauga)

In Southwestern Ontario
Jan. 24, Macbeth at Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre
Jan. 25, Calendar Girls at Theatre Sarnia

In Toronto
Jan. 25, A Woman Of No Importance at Alumnae Theatre Company
Jan. 25, Dinner With Goebbels at ACT II Studio Theatre
Jan. 26, Every Letter Counts at Factory Theatre in previews – world premiere

In Central Ontario
Jan. 25, The Innocents at Blackhorse Village Players (Tottenham) with a preview on Jan. 23

For theatre already playing across Ontario, and information on how to submit your productions, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website.

Friday 18 January 2013

Ontario Off Stage

This is our first edition since the holidays and there is a lot to share (I’m still working through a backlog of emails and blog posts!)

Behind The Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres
Conversations
From The Wire
You can receive news from Theatre Ontario every month by email.  Our archives are online and the January issue is now available.

Assembled by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Thursday 17 January 2013

New Workshop Sessions on Proposal Writing, Taxes, Playwriting, and Grant Writing

We’re pleased to announce five new Theatre Ontario workshops—including more Grant Writing Information Sessions for Playwrights and Theatre Artists.

Proposal Writing with Wanda Nanibush on Tuesday, February 19—for individuals and organizations applying for funding and sponsorships, learn to write proposals that place the reader in a position where they have an overwhelming desire to fund, promote or collaborate with you.  Bring a current proposal that you are working on for group and one-on-one feedback, and walk out with new skills, ideas, confidence—and possibly a finished proposal.

Taxes For Theatre Artists with Sam Marinucci on Thursday, March 7—What are Revenue Canada’s record-keeping requirements? What expenses can you claim? What deductions are you allowed? How do you report your income? How does HST impact you?  Whether you are employed, self-employed, or registered as a small business this session is an opportunity for you to check your facts, ask questions, and share experiences.

Playwriting: Idea to First Draft with Lindsay Price on Saturday, March 9—Sometimes the hardest step in the playwriting process is the first. Where do I find inspiration? How do I develop an idea? What if my idea fizzles out halfway through? This workshop takes you from the idea stage to confidently writing a first draft.

We also have two more Grant Writing Information Session for Playwrights and Theatre Artists, with Pat Bradley, Theatre Officer of the Ontario Arts Council—These sessions share information, perspective, and tips about project grants, particularly the OAC’s three professional theatre project programs—Theatre Projects, Playwright Residency, and Theatre Creators’ Reserve.  The new Grant Writing Information sessions will be in Thunder Bay on Wednesday, February 27 and in Ottawa on Thursday, March 21.

We’re also still taking registrations for our previously announced workshops—Grant Writing Information Session for Playwrights and Theatre Artists in Burlington on Thursday, January 24; Getting Started For Actors on Wednesday, January 30; and Self-Start: The Basics of Producing on Wednesday, February 6.

Read more about all of the upcoming Theatre Ontario training opportunities

Wednesday 16 January 2013

Browsing The Bulletin Board

  • We invite all artistic directors, freelance directors, producers, casting directors, and agents who are signed to the EIC or members of TAMAC to RSVP for Theatre Ontario Showcase 2013 on January 20 and 21 at the Jane Mallett Theatre in the St. Lawrence Centre, Toronto.  Please RSVP either at info@theatreontario.org or call 416.408.4556 x.10.
  • Space is still available in our next Grant Writing Information Session for Playwrights and Theatre Artists in Burlington on January 24.  This session with Pat Bradley, Theatre Officer of the Ontario Arts Council, focuses on the OAC's three professional theatre project programs.
  • January 31 is the deadline for nominations for the 2013 Michael Spence Award for Contribution to Community Theatre in Eastern Ontario.  This award honours an individual for his/her outstanding contribution to community theatre in his/her region over a sustained time, and is now presented annually to an individual from the region that is hosting the Theatre Ontario Festival.
  • Our third annual Introduction to Adjudication course, runs March 12 to 16 in Guelph during the Western Ontario Drama League Festival.  The course covers the principles of adjudication (including public adjudications, private/detailed adjudications, written adjudications), evaluation schemes, award selection, and more.  Participants will see shows in the Festival, and practice “public” adjudications in private with their fellow students.  Following the course, participants will also have an opportunity to hone their skills at a practice adjudication at a community theatre in their region.  Deadline to register is February 11.
Upcoming on The Bulletin Board
  • Deadline to apply for the Assistant Director Program at Great Canadian Theatre Company is January 21.
  • Tarragon Theatre is holding a Playwriting and Dramaturgy course with Brian Quirt beginning January 22.
New on The Bulletin Board
  • SubDevision is a celebration of site-specific, innovative, boundary-pushing theatre, and will be part of Encounters Series at the 2013 Magnetic North Theatre Festival, June 7-15, 2013, in Ottawa. They are seeking applications from Ontario based artists and companies.  The deadline is February 8.
Check out these items—and all our postings of workshops, calls for submission, opportunities for recognition, and much more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Tuesday 15 January 2013

Congratulations to Fall 2012 Youth Theatre Training Program Recipients

We are pleased to announce the latest recipients of training grants through Theatre Ontario’s Youth Theatre Training Program (YTTP).  $23,500 was awarded in total among the following recipients:
  • Aanmitaagzi Story Makers (North Bay)—Dances of Resistance
  • Aluna Theatre (Toronto)—Young Panamerican Voices
  • Buddies in Bad Times (Toronto)—Pride Cab Project
  • Carousel Players (St. Catharines)—Commotion
  • Paprika Festival (Toronto)—Paprika Training Programs
  • Shakespeare in the Ruff (Toronto)—Young Ruffian Apprenticeship Program
  • Tarragon Theatre (Toronto)—Spring Training Project
The next application deadline for this program is March 15, 2013.

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

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

Monday 14 January 2013

ONstage Openings for the week of January 14

In Eastern Ontario
Jan. 18, Blue Box at Great Canadian Theatre Company (Ottawa) with previews from Jan. 15

In South Central Ontario
Jan. 18, The Attic, The Pearls And Three Fine Girls at Durham Shoestring Performers (Oshawa)
Jan. 18, The Housekeeper at The Curtain Club (Richmond Hill) with a preview on Jan. 17

In Southwestern Ontario
Jan. 15, Kim's Convenience (A Soulpepper production) at The Grand Theatre (London)
Jan. 18, A Dying Family Tradition at Elora Community Theatre (Fergus)
Jan. 18, Laughter On The 23rd Floor at London Community Players

In Toronto
Jan. 17, The Marvelous Wonderettes at Lower Ossington Theatre

For theatre already playing across Ontario, and information on how to submit your productions, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website.

Wednesday 9 January 2013

Nominations are Open for the 2013 Maggie Bassett Award

We are now inviting nominations for Theatre Ontario’s 2013 Maggie Bassett Award.  The award is presented annually by Theatre Ontario to an individual who has made a sustained and significant contribution to the development of theatre in Ontario.

Past recipients of the 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, Diana Belshaw and Dave Carley.

Do you know someone who has made a significant, sustained, unselfish, and involved contribution? The nomination deadline is February 28, 2013.

Full award criteria, history, and nomination guidelines can be found on our website

Tuesday 8 January 2013

Browsing The Bulletin Board

It’s not too late to RSVP to attend Theatre Ontario Showcase 2013.  Our 19th annual Showcase features theatre school graduates from across Ontario, and the National Theatre School in Montreal.  Join us on January 20 and 21 for two days of talent, with over 235 graduates, at the Jane Mallett Theatre in the St. Lawrence Centre, Toronto.  We invite artistic directors, freelance directors, producers, casting directors, and agents who are signed to the EIC or members of TAMAC.  Please RSVP either at info@theatreontario.org or call 416.408.4556 x.10.

Upcoming Theatre Ontario workshops include Inclusion—Professional Advice for Professional Theatre Companies with charles c. smith on January 15, and our Auditions Talk Back with Elley-Ray Hennessy, Andrew Lamb, and Renna Reddie on January 16.  Visit our website to find out about other upcoming Theatre Ontario workshops.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board
  • Project-Percolator at Jumblies Theatre in Toronto is on January 13, 14, 20, 21—Bring your own community-engaged project idea, work on plans, schedules, budgets, questions, challenges, test creative activities within a small group and take it to the next stage.
  • The OAC Theatre Creators’ Reserve deadline at Alameda Theatre Company is January 15.
  • Peterborough Theatre Guild is holding a workshop “The Joy of Sets”, with Theatre Ontario Talent Bank member Jane Coryell.  This workshop is funded by the Perry Short Award, which was presented at the 2012 Theatre Ontario Festival.  The workshop runs on February 16, and the registration deadline is January 15.
New on The Bulletin Board
  • The Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat is inviting nominations for the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers, honouring exceptional young volunteers aged 15 to 24.
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.

Monday 7 January 2013

ONstage Openings for the week of January 7

In Central Ontario
Jan. 11, Hedda Gabler at Peterborough Theatre Guild

In Eastern Ontario
Jan. 8, All My Sons at Ottawa Little Theatre

In South Central Ontario
Jan. 10, Hide And Seek at Burl-Oak Theatre Group (Oakville)

In Toronto
Jan. 9, The Amorous Adventures of Anatol at Tarragon Theatre (currently in previews)
Jan. 10, Someone Else at Canadian Stage, with previews from Jan. 7
Jan. 10, The Penelopiad at Nightwood Theatre, with previews from Jan. 8
Jan. 11, Robin Hood: The Legendary Musical Comedy at Hart House Theatre

For theatre already playing across Ontario, and information on how to submit your productions, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website.