Browsing The Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

• Collective Creations: Crafting a Performance Piece weekend intensive on November 29 to December 1 in London with an early-bird registration discount until November 1: Learn how to fine-tune your approach to developing new works of theatre with this introduction to the approach and tools needed to create and continue developing stories to perform on stage, whether individually or collectively with a group
• Ontarians With Disabilities Act: Your Obligations to Employees and Audiences workshop with Sarah Farrell on November 5 in Toronto: How do the new Accessibility Standards in the Act impact your organization?  Need some practical tips that could help you comply with the Act and avoid costly penalties?
• Upcoming Community Theatre Discussion Forum in Merrickville on November 9: sharing and identifying opportunities to partner, and provide services and support such as advocacy, training, and resources
• Self-Start: The Basics of Producing workshop with Mairin Smit on November 20 in Toronto: 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!
• Grant Writing Information Session on November 26 in Toronto: Looking for tips and must-dos for preparing an application to the Ontario Arts Council?  Pat Bradley, Theatre Officer of the Ontario Arts Council, will share her perspective, information, and tips about project grants, particularly the OAC’s three theatre project programs
• The deadline for nominations for the Sandra Tulloch Award for Innovation in Arts and Culture is November 30, honouring individuals or collectives whose leadership, activism, and service has contributed to the development and strengthening of arts and culture in Ontario through innovative and practical initiatives

Check out all of our upcoming courses and workshops, including targeting your audience

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Upcoming Ontario Arts Council deadline for Theatre Organizations—Summer Theatres and Compass programs is November 1
• The next Ontario Trillium Foundation deadline is November 1
• Early bird registration discount for Tarragon Theatre’s Playwriting with Paula Wing and Directing with Richard Rose courses is November 1
• Deadline to submit for Cahoots Theatre's OAC Theatre Creators Reserve is November 1
• Deadline to apply to the Toronto Fringe Festival's Culturally Diverse Artist Project is November 4
• Deadline for Toronto Fringe Festival Lottery Submissions is also November 4
• Young Associates is running a workshop with the Toronto Arts Council on CADAC Stats: Getting It From The Source on November 5, and a workshop on Sumac Basics: Building Contact Records on November 6

Toronto Fringe Festival's Lottery and Culturally
Diverse Artist Project deadlines are November 4

New On The Bulletin Board

• Festival Players of Prince Edward County is inviting applications for their OAC Theatre Creators Reserve Program.  Festival Players is primarily interested in work that concerns itself with rural and/or epic themes (musicals or non-musicals) and are particularly interested, as well, in supporting work by young creators (under age 30) from their community.  The deadline is November 15.
• fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company is now inviting applications for their OAC Theatre Creators Reserve Program.  Priority will be given to applications that fulfill their mandate. This includes but is not limited to: Asian Canadian Playwrights (“Asian” is inclusive of the Pan-Asian Pacific Rim); Playwrights of Colour (this is inclusive of all playwrights who are visible minorities); and Female Playwrights.  The deadline is also November 15
• Nightwood Theatre invites submissions from all interested creators to their OAC Theatre Creators Reserve Program.  As a recommender they adhere to the priority of their mandate, that is, they recommend women playwrights, however, they do not necessarily require a focus on women’s stories.  The deadline is (guess what!) November 15
• ArtsBuild Ontario is holding another Energy Conservation Training for the Arts workshop in Toronto on November 15
• Odyssey Theatre invites applications for their OAC Theatre Creators Reserve Program.  Funding priorities are projects that incorporate a discipline related to masked theatre: including physical theatre, Commedia, buffoon, clown, puppetry, dance-drama; incorporate theatre forms from diverse cultural traditions; involve artists who have established skills in the above areas; and are innovative.  Application deadline is December 1
• Nominations for the Gina Wilkinson Prize, named in honour of Canadian actor, playwright and director Gina Wilkinson, are now being accepted. The annual prize is intended to recognize and assist female theatre artists attempting to transition from one theatre discipline into the discipline of theatre direction. The award recipient will be chosen from nominations brought forward by members of the Canadian theatre community. The nomination deadline is December 15

Check out these items, and other postings from our members of funding opportunities, workshops, calls for submission, awards, and more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access auditions, job postings, and volunteer opportunities on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

ONstage Openings for the week of October 28

In Northeastern Ontario
Oct. 31, Mucking In The Drift at Sudbury Theatre Centre – world premiere

In South Central Ontario
Nov. 1, Tuesdays With Morrie at Act Of Faith Productions (Oakville)

In Southwestern Ontario
Oct. 31, The Great Storm at Goderich Little Theatre

In Toronto
Oct. 29, Stalwart Women And Tempestuous Men: A Reading Of Two Early Canadian Plays at Theatre Double Take
Oct. 30, The Idiot at Humber Theatre
Oct. 31, Moss Park at Theatre Passe Muraille (in previews)*
Oct. 31, DESH at Canadian Stage*
Nov. 2, The Gravitational Pull Of Bernice Trimble at Factory Theatre (in previews)*
Nov. 3, Alligator Pie at Soulpepper Theatre

In Central Ontario
Nov. 1, The Game's Afoot at Blackhorse Village Players (Tottenham) with a preview on Oct. 30
Nov. 1, PS Uncle Angus at Peterborough Theatre Guild
Nov. 1, Calendar Girls at Algonquin Theatre (Huntsville)

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

ONstage in Northwestern Ontario
MacHomer at Magnus Theatre
Jerry Getty
Photo by Barry Wojciechowski

Theatre Ontario individual members can access discount ticket offers for shows marked with an * asterisk

Read more about our members discount tickets program

Browsing The Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

• Financial Basics: What Self-Employed Artists Should Know free workshop with Tessa-Marie Shillingford on October 28 in Toronto: Learn some basic financial skills that will enable you to take control of your finances and make the best possible money decisions for now and the future
• Collective Creations: Crafting a Performance Piece weekend intensive on November 29 to December 1 in London with an early-bird registration discount until November 1: Learn how to fine-tune your approach to developing new works of theatre with this introduction to the approach and tools needed to create and continue developing stories to perform on stage, whether individually or collectively with a group
• Ontarians With Disabilities Act: Your Obligations to Employees and Audiences workshop with Sarah Farrell on November 5 in Toronto: How do the new Accessibility Standards in the Act impact your organization?  Need some practical tips that could help you comply with the Act and avoid costly penalties?
• Upcoming Community Theatre Discussion Forum in Merrickville on November 9: sharing and identifying opportunities to partner, and provide services and support such as advocacy, training, and resources
• Self-Start: The Basics of Producing workshop with Mairin Smit on November 20 in Toronto: 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!

Check out all of our upcoming courses and workshops, including grant writing information sessions and targeting your audience

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• ArtsBuild Ontario's Energy Conservation Training for the Arts workshop in Toronto is October 24
• Deadline for Toronto Fringe Festival's New Play Contest is October 25
• Elley-Ray Hennessy is holding a 3-day intensive workshop from October 25 to 27 at the University of Windsor covering all aspects of voice acting
• Upcoming Ontario Arts Council deadline for Theatre Organizations—Summer Theatres and Compass programs is November 1
• The next Ontario Trillium Foundation deadline is November 1
• Early bird registration discount for Tarragon Theatre’s Playwriting with Paula Wing and Directing with Richard Rose courses is November 1

Check out these items, and other postings from our members of funding opportunities, workshops, calls for submission, awards, and more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access auditions, job postings, and volunteer opportunities on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

ONstage Openings for the week of October 21

In Eastern Ontario
Oct. 24, Howl At The Moon at Stirling Festival Theatre

In Northwestern Ontario
Oct. 24, MacHomer at Magnus Theatre (Thunder Bay)

In South Central Ontario
Oct. 24, The Crucible at Theatre Erindale (Mississauga)

In Southwestern Ontario
Oct. 25, Woman In Black at London Community Players, with a preview on Oct. 24

In Toronto
Oct. 23, The Double at Tarragon Theatre (currently in previews)
Oct. 25, Strange Sisters at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Oct. 26, Night Of Dread at Clay and Paper Theatre

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

ONstage in Toronto
Soulpepper Theatre: The Norman Conquests - Living Together
Laura Condlin, Albert Schultz and Fiona Reid
Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann

Ontario Off Stage

Behind The Scenes At Ontario’s Theatres

• Congratulations to Theatre Orangeville on the grand re-opening after their renovations
• Hart House Theatre is proud to present an evening of discussion and exploration with one of Canada's most influential and engaging theatre artists: In Conversation with Dr. John Mighton features Dr. Mighton in a one-on-one interview with award-winning theatrical scholar Professor Kathleen Gallagher and is a complement to the Siminovich Prize presentation

From The Wire

• The 2013-2014 ACT-CO Festival is underway with 49 productions being adjudicated

TO Toasts

• Congratulations to the finalists for the Siminovitch Prize: Chris Abraham, Marie-Josée Bastien, and Benoît Vermeulen

In Case You Missed It

• Launching Our Weekend Intensives with Collective Creations in London

You can also receive news from Theatre Ontario every month by email.  Our archives are online and the October issue is now available.

Browsing The Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

• Our Adjudicators Symposium on October 19 in Toronto is an opportunity for established and emerging adjudicators, as well as the theatres and organizations that hire them, to benefit from professional development, networking, and information exchange, to discuss training needs and opportunities, and to develop methodologies for the future
• Upcoming Community Theatre Discussion Forums are in London on October 20 and Merrickville on November 9: sharing and identifying opportunities to partner, and provide services and support such as advocacy, training, and resources
• Getting Started for Actors workshop with Mairin Smit on October 23 in Toronto: Get the answers to your FAQs about the business of acting
• Financial Basics: What Self-Employed Artists Should Know free workshop with Tessa-Marie Shillingford on October 28 in Toronto: Learn some basic financial skills that will enable you to take control of your finances and make the best possible money decisions for now and the future
• Collective Creations: Crafting a Performance Piece weekend intensive on November 29 to December 1 in London with an early-bird registration discount until November 1: Learn how to fine-tune your approach to developing new works of theatre with this introduction to the approach and tools needed to create and continue developing stories to perform on stage, whether individually or collectively with a group
• Ontarians With Disabilities Act: Your Obligations to Employees and Audiences workshop with Sarah Farrell on November 5 in Toronto: How do the new Accessibility Standards in the Act impact your organization?  Need some practical tips that could help you comply with the Act and avoid costly penalties?

Check out all of our upcoming courses and workshops, including self-producing, grant writing information sessions, collective creations, and targeting your audience

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Theatre Action’s Happening Théâtral Communautaire for French Ontario theatre lovers to discuss, exchange, and learn begins October 18
• Auditions for Acting Up Stage Company’s One Song Glory professional youth musical theatre training program begin October 19
• Deadline for Tarragon Theatre's Urjo Kareda Residency Grant for an Emerging Theatre Artist is October 21
• Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts workshops on Emergency First Aid with CPR/AED is on October 21, and Incorporation and Charitable Status is on October 22
• Young Associates’ workshop on CADAC Financial Report is on October 23
• ArtsBuild's Energy Conservation Training for the Arts workshop in Toronto is October 24
• Deadline for Toronto Fringe Festival's New Play Contest is October 25
• Elley-Ray Hennessy is holding a 3-day intensive workshop from October 25 to 27 at the University of Windsor covering all aspects of voice acting

Acting Up Stage Company's One Song Glory
free professional musical theatre training program for youth

Check out these items, and other postings from our members of funding opportunities, workshops, calls for submission, awards, and more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access auditions, job postings, and volunteer opportunities on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

ONstage Openings for the week of October 15

In Toronto
Oct. 15, The Norman Conquests - Living Together at Soulpepper Theatre (currently in previews)
Oct. 15, The Double at Tarragon Theatre (in previews)
Oct. 16, Dinner At Seven-Thirty at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (currently in previews)
Oct. 16, The 2013 De Colores Festival of New Works at Alameda Theatre Company
Oct. 16, A Story Before Time at Young People's Theatre
Oct. 17, Farther West at Soulpepper Theatre (currently in previews)
Oct. 17, Yukonstyle at Canadian Stage (currently in previews)*
Oct. 17, No Romance at Toronto Irish Players
Oct. 20, The Company We Keep Cabaret Series at Theatre 20

In Central Ontario
Oct. 17, A Candle On The Table at Peterborough Theatre Guild

In Eastern Ontario
Oct. 15, Tartuffe at National Arts Centre—English Theatre (Ottawa)
Oct. 15, Deadly Murder at Ottawa Little Theatre
Oct. 15, You Fancy Yourself at Great Canadian Theatre Company (Ottawa)
Oct. 18, Vegas Knights at Upper Canada Playhouse (Morrisburg)
Oct. 18, Trying at Prince Edward Community Theatre (Picton)
Oct. 20, Othello at Mississippi Mudds of Carleton Place

In Northeastern Ontario
Oct. 16, Sylvia at Sault Theatre Workshop

In South Central Ontario
Oct. 17, Self Help by Dummiez at Peel Panto Players (Brampton)
Oct. 17, Pools Paradise at West End Studio Theatre (Oakville)

In Southwestern Ontario
Oct. 15, Ring Of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash at The Grand Theatre (London)
Oct. 18, Arsenic And Old Lace at Theatre Woodstock

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

ONstage in Southwestern Ontario
Drayton Entertainment - St. Jacobs Country Playhouse Godspell
Photo by Hilary Camilleri

Theatre Ontario individual members can access discount ticket offers for shows marked with an * asterisk

Read more about our members discount tickets program

Browsing our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

• Application deadline for the Youth Theatre Training Program is October 15, offering financial support for accessible theatre programs involving youth aged 14 to 21 led by professional theatre artists
• Our Adjudicators Symposium on October 19 in Toronto is an opportunity for established and emerging adjudicators, as well as the theatres and organizations that hire them, to benefit from professional development, networking, and information exchange, to discuss training needs and opportunities, and to develop methodologies for the future
• Upcoming Community Theatre Discussion Forums are in London on October 20 and Merrickville on November 9: sharing and identifying opportunities to partner, and provide services and support such as advocacy, training, and resources
• Getting Started for Actors workshop with Mairin Smit on October 23 in Toronto: Get the answers to your FAQs about the business of acting
• Financial Basics: What Self-Employed Artists Should Know free workshop with Tessa-Marie Shillingford on October 28 in Toronto: Learn some basic financial skills that will enable you to take control of your finances and make the best possible money decisions for now and the future
• Ontarians With Disabilities Act: Your Obligations to Employees and Audiences workshop with Sarah Farrell on November 5 in Toronto: How do the new Accessibility Standards in the Act impact your organization?  Need some practical tips that could help you comply with the Act and avoid costly penalties?

Check out all of our upcoming courses and workshops, including self-producing, and free grant writing information sessions, plus new sessions for targeting your audience and our first weekend intensive on collective creations

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Deadline to apply for the Tarragon Theatre’s OAC Theatre Creators Reserve is October 11
• Deadline to apply for Cahoots Theatre Company’s Audition Intensive is October 11
• Deadline for the Canada Council’s Theatre International Program is October 15
• Deadline for the Ontario Arts Council’s Multi and Integrated Arts Program is October 15
• Deadline to submit to Ottawa Little Theatre’s One-Act Play Competition is October 15
• Theatre Action’s Happening Théâtral Communautaire for French Ontario theatre lovers to discuss, exchange, and learn begins October 18
• Auditions for Acting Up Stage Company’s One Song Glory professional youth musical theatre training program begin October 19

New on The Bulletin Board

• Nominations are open for the Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, honouring outstanding achievements of artists and arts organizations and their contributions to arts and culture in Ontario over a significant period of time; deadline is December 2

Check out these items, and other postings from our members of workshops, funding opportunities, calls for submission, free community events, awards, and more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access auditions, job postings, and volunteer opportunities on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Launching Our Weekend Intensives with Collective Creations in London

Theatre Ontario is offering a new series of Weekend Intensive workshops for those interested in developing their skills in theatre performance and production.  Our first weekend intensive is “Collective Creations: Crafting a Performance Piece.”

In this intensive, Jim Warren, and another guest instructor yet to be announced, will introduce you to the approach and tools needed to create and continue developing stories to perform on stage, whether individually or collectively with a group.

This workshop will be held November 29 to December 1 in London, brought to you by Theatre Ontario and The Grand Theatre.

The Theatre Ontario Weekend Intensives:

• Are oriented around relevant performance or production themes, essential to the developing theatre artist
• Are led by a two-instructor team of renowned theatre practitioners, providing an immersive and intensive learning experience
• Are taking place over a weekend, comprising Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday, for a total of fifteen instruction hours
• Offer affordable accommodation rates near the training venue
• Offer great value for your learning dollar

Read more about “Collective Creations: Crafting a Performance Piece” on the Theatre Ontario website

ONstage Openings for the week of October 7

In Toronto
Oct. 9, The Norman Conquests – Table Manners at Soulpepper Theatre (currently in previews)
Oct. 10, The Norman Conquests – Round And Round The Garden at Soulpepper Theatre (currently in previews)
Oct. 10, The Reluctant Ressurection Of Sherlock Holmes at Scarborough Theatre Guild
Oct. 11, Farther West at Soulpepper Theatre (in previews)
Oct. 12, Dinner At Seven-Thirty at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (in previews)
Oct. 13, Yukonstyle at Canadian Stage (in previews)*

In Eastern Ontario
Oct. 12, Salt-Water Moon at Thousand Islands Playhouse (Gananoque), with previews from Oct. 11

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

ONstage in Cornwall: Seaway Valley Theatre Company -
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)

Theatre Ontario individual members can access discount tickets for shows marked with an * asterisk

Read more about our members discount tickets program

ONstage in Toronto:
Stage Centre Productions The Unexpected Guest

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Conversations

• Small Wooden Shoe’s Unconference on the Future(s) of Toronto Performance is one of my favourite community events for conversation and exploration on the state of the industry; catch up on what was recorded this year on the SWS website
• On Charlebois Post—Canada, Sue Edworthy wonders what it would look like if we “let the audience in the door”
• Because not-for-profit organizations lack equity capital, Andrew Taylor explores what philanthropic equity looks like
• Brian Sibley writes on Change Agent about how a theatre degree has been a great background for his business career

Small Wooden Shoe's 2013 Unconference on Change
and the Future(s) of Toronto Performance
Photo by Chris Willes

Behind The Scenes At Ontario’s Theatres

• The Curtain Club in Richmond Hill is holding a 60th season Open House and Reunion on October 19

From The Wire

• As we launch our call for nominations for the 2014 Michael Spence Award for Contribution to Community Theatre, we mourn the passing of past award recipient Val Hadley of Sarnia
• The Guardian reports that research is finding a resurgence of interest in plays among younger people in the UK

Migrations

• Ngozi Paul and Jajube Mandiela are the new co-Artistic Directors of b current

TO Toasts

• To the finalists for the Governor General’s Literary Awards for Drama (link defaults to Fiction, click on the Drama tab to see this year’s plays)
• To the shortlist nominees for the 2013 Tom Hendry Awards, presented by Playwrights Guild of Canada, and to Linda Griffiths and Iris Turcott who will be honoured at the Awards
• To Factory Theatre, one of the theatres recognized by the International Centre for Women Playwrights with their 50/50 Applause Award for producing plays by female playwrights at least 50% of the time

In Case You Missed It

• Conversations across community theatres
• Directors Day at the Shaw Festival
• Honouring contribution to community theatre in southwestern Ontario
• Protecting our most vulnerable

Conversations Across Community Theatres

By Carol Beauchamp, Executive Director

I have been delighted to be a part of community theatre conversations that have been taking place in communities across the province.  So far Theatre Ontario has held five Community Theatre Discussion Forums in Aurora, Kingston, Georgetown, Oshawa, and Sault Ste Marie, with another two forums scheduled in London (October 20) and Merrickville (November 9).  We are currently exploring possible forums in North Bay, Collingwood, Burlington/Hamilton/Niagara corridor, Kitchener-Waterloo/Cambridge area, and Chatham/Sarnia/Windsor area.

Community Theatre Discussion Forum in Sault Ste. Marie

The discussions have been lively, and the participants are deeply engaged in the process of creating sustainable community theatre in their very diverse communities.  So far, we have observed some anticipated trends such as fund development and audience development and audience engagement challenges.  However, what we are also observing is that these broad-based issues mean different things to different organizations.  For example, for some organizations “fund development” means larger capital projects, beginning at $50,000 or more.  For other organizations, “fund development” means fundraising in order to stage a large-budget show, or to upgrade a small piece of equipment.

The same is true for “building audiences”: Some groups currently have a solid audience base and are very much looking to develop their audience for the future; others have a more immediate concern with dwindling audience numbers.

Each Forum has been as unique as each of the groups represented, with very specific challenges emerging for organizations in the communities in which they work.  For example, one challenge that emerged at the Oshawa Forum is that several groups have a “shared membership” and are casting shows from the same talent pool, with the conflicting schedules and seasons that come with that.

Community Theatre Discussion Forum in Kingston

The Forums have varied in size, but the key to active discussions has been the mix of people attending from different groups and organizations, creating a networking and  information exchange—it is exciting to see people who are considering starting a new group mixing with veterans who have belonged to companies for many years.

One personal observation is the value of the youth voice at these discussions: often younger members bring a different point of view, and can add some interesting dynamics to the conversation.  I’d encourage groups to invite and include at least one member who is not part of the “core leadership” of the group; it is great having  the depth of experience and knowledge of  long standing members, as well as the insights and observations that more recent or occasional  members bring to the table.  A wide variety of perspectives and understanding definitely generates a deeper level of understanding, as well as a deeper engagement in the process of ensuring that theatre remains a vibrant art form in our diverse communities.

We have shared the feedback with the attendees at each of the Forums, and we will be sharing the overall feedback at the end of the process.  The next phase of the process will be identifying ways to work collectively to address specific challenges — this brainstorming process has already begun, and will continue as the Community Theatre Discussion Forums progress.

Browsing The Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

• Crowdfunding Basics: Tips for Artists and Arts Organizations workshop with Nancy Kenny on October 7 in Ottawa: You’ve got the ideas. You’ve got the passion. You’ve got the drive.  What you’re missing is the almighty dollar.  Welcome to the wonderful world of crowdfunding.
• Application deadline for the Youth Theatre Training Program is October 15, offering financial support for accessible theatre programs involving youth aged 14 to 21 led by professional theatre artists
• Our Adjudicators Symposium on October 19 in Toronto is an opportunity for established and emerging adjudicators, as well as the theatres and organizations that hire them, to benefit from professional development, networking, and information exchange, to discuss training needs and opportunities, and to develop methodologies for the future
• Upcoming Community Theatre Discussion Forums are in London on October 20 and Merrickville on November 9: sharing and identifying opportunities to partner, and provide services and support such as advocacy, training, and resources
• Getting Started for Actors workshop with Mairin Smit on October 23 in Toronto: Get the answers to your FAQs about the business of acting
• Financial Basics: What Self-Employed Artists Should Know free workshop with Tessa-Marie Shillingford on October 28 in Toronto: Learn some basic financial skills that will enable you to take control of your finances and make the best possible money decisions for now and the future

Check out all of our upcoming courses and workshops, including the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, self-producing, and grant information sessions.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

The Registry Theatre

• The Registry Theatre in Kitchener is holding two upcoming lighting workshops: Hanging, Focusing, and Basic Designs on October 7 and Working the Board, Programming and Recording Cues on October 8
• Deadline to apply for the Toronto Fringe Festival’s OAC Theatre Creators Reserve is October 7
• Deadline to apply for the Tarragon Theatre’s OAC Theatre Creators Reserve is October 11

New on The Bulletin Board

• Cahoots Theatre Company is holding an Audition Intensive with Kawa Ada, for actors who identify as diverse.  The class will take place on consecutive Monday evenings beginning October 21 to November 11.  Application deadline is October 11.  Only 10-12 participants will be selected.

Check out these items, and other postings from our members of workshops, funding opportunities, calls for submission, and more—on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board on our website

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access auditions, job postings, and volunteer opportunities on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Directors Day at the Shaw Festival

By Mairin Smit, Program Coordinator

A highlight of our year at Theatre Ontario is travelling to Niagara-on-the-Lake to see the Directors Day performances of the Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival. Each year in September, two emerging professional directors are chosen to join the Shaw Festival for a season, assistant directing at least two productions, and then working to develop their own one-act play to be presented at the end of their tenure. The 2013 intern directors, Rose Plotek and Paul Van Dyck, are a dynamic pair with careful insight and attention-to-detail that brought their productions to life.

Andrew Bunker and Sanjay Talwar in The Bear
Directed by Rose Plotek. Photo by Mark Callan.

Rose's version of Chekhov's The Bear was a fast-paced, high-energy comedy that had everyone in the audience cracking up with the antics of the actors. Her direction showed an excellent sense of comedic timing and a developed skill at walking that fine line of grandiose. Paul's production of Gwen Pharis Ringwood’s Still Stands the House was quiet drama that built to an unexpectedly dark and macabre climax. This piece was new to me and many of my fellow audience members, but Paul quickly brought us into the world of the stormy winter's night on the Canadian prairies with a strong command of how to create tension on the stage. As the play unfolded, Paul's guidance of the actors painted a clear portrait of real people struggling with loss and desperate isolation. It made for lively discussion following the performance. As they leave the Shaw Festival, we will all be watching closely to see where Rose and Paul's careers take them next.

Melanie Phillipson in Still Stands The House
Directed by Paul Van Dyck. Photo by Mark Callan.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Shaw Directors Project though, is the incredible learning opportunity it provides for the interns. Directing is a challenging profession to start out in as there is no one path to take to a successful career. The best way to get a sense of the possibilities is often working with or being mentored by professionals in the field. The experience at the Shaw Festival allows the interns to work in large-scale theatre on productions of high calibre; a rare opportunity for many at this stage in their career. The outstanding guidance and care they receive under Jackie Maxwell and Eda Holmes also ensures that they are set up for the best possible success after their time at the Shaw Festival. Many past intern directors have gone on to very successful professional careers, even right at The Shaw itself! In fact, this year saw past intern director Craig Hall directing a highly successful production of Faith Healer by Brian Friel at the Royal George Theatre. We can only be very excited at what's in store for our incoming 2014 intern directors, Alistair Newton and Rachel Peake.

As always, we offer many thanks to the Shaw Festival and Sun Life Financial for making this program possible. Congratulations to Rose and Paul and we are grateful for another excellent year at the Neil Munro Intern Directors Project at the Shaw Festival.