Wednesday 30 November 2016

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

We are seeking Summer Theatre Intensive course
proposals from prospective instructors
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

  • Alumnae Theatre’s Fireworks Writers’ Intensive with Diane Flacks begins November 30 in Toronto.
  • Shadowpath Theatre is hosting Femme Operative on November 30 in Aurora, a forum for female creative leaders to connect, support and inspire through artistic collaboration, information sharing and like-minded learning.
  • ArtsBuild Ontario is hosting a free webinar on Marketing Your Rental Spaces on November 30.
  • Deadline to apply for Cahoots Theatre’s Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creators Reserve is December 1.
  • Deadline to apply for the Canada Council’s Theatre International and Theatre Touring and Special Initiatives Funds is December 1.
  • Deadline to apply for Great Canadian Theatre Company’s Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creators Reserve is December 2.
  • Deadline to apply for Buddies In Bad Times’ Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creators Reserve is December 2.
  • The MT Space in Kitchener is hosting an Advanced Acting Training and Theatre Creation workshop with Fadhel Jaibi, beginning December 5.
  • Deadline to apply for Theatre Aquarius’ Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creators Reserve is December 5.
  • Deadline to apply for Festival Players of Prince Edward County’s Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creators Reserve is December 9.
  • Deadline to apply for The MT Space’s Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creators Reserve is December 9.
  • Deadline for submissions from playwrights for Driftwood Theatre’s Trafalgar 24 is December 9.

New on The Bulletin Board


  • Theatre by the Bay has launched the Barrie Theatre Lab for playwrights and actors to gather, read new works-in-progress, and network. The first submission deadline is January 5.
Check out these items, and other postings from our members.
Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions, Job Postings and Discount Ticket Offers on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Monday 28 November 2016

ONstage Openings for the week of November 28

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages
ONstage Now Playing in Southwestern Ontario
Scrooge Macbeth at Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre

In South Central Ontario

Dec. 2, Elf the Musical Jr. at Brampton Music Theatre

In Southwestern Ontario

Dec. 1, The Tales of Peter Rabbit and Friends at The Registry Theatre (Kitchener)
Dec. 2, Beauty and the Beast at Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton), with previews from Nov. 30
Dec. 2, The Secret Garden at London Community Players, with a preview on Dec. 1

In Toronto

Nov. 29, Seussical at Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts
Nov. 30, Munsch All Over at George Brown Theatre School
Dec. 2, A Christmas Carol at Soulpepper Theatre
Dec. 2, Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol at Scarborough Theatre Guild

In Central Ontario

Dec. 2, Miracle on 34th Street at Theatre Orangeville, with a preview from Dec. 1
Dec. 2, A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)
Dec. 3, The Jungle Book at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)

In Eastern Ontario

Nov. 30, The Three Musketeers at Ottawa Little Theatre
Dec. 1, Arsenic and Old Lace at Belleville Theatre Guild, with a preview on Nov. 29
Dec. 1, The Daisy Theatre at Great Canadian Theatre Company (Ottawa), with previews from Nov. 29
Dec. 1, It’s a Wonderful Life at Domino Theatre (Kingston)
Dec. 2, Sleeping Beauty at Smiths Falls Community Theatre
Dec. 3, Miracle on 34th Street at Upper Canada Playhouse (Morrisburg), with previews from Dec. 2
Dec. 3, Shrek the Musical Jr at Seaway Valley Theatre Company (Cornwall)

ONstage Now Playing in South Central Ontario
The Last Resort at The Curtain Club (Richmond Hill)

In Northeastern Ontario

Nov. 30, Dear Santa at Sault Theatre Workshop (Sault Ste. Marie)
Dec. 2, It's a Wonderful Life at Sudbury Theatre Centre, with a preview on Dec. 1
Dec. 2, Bob’s Your Elf at Espanola Little Theatre


For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website

Wednesday 23 November 2016

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

Ready, Set, Show! workshop at Theatre Ontario
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

  • Deadline to apply for Young People’s Theatre’s Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creators Reserve is November 25.
  • Deadline for submissions to Theatre Passe Muraille’s “Pitch Andy” for artists interested in pitching to the TPM Artistic Director is November 25.
  • Deadline for artist proposals for The Bentway in Toronto is November 25.
  • Theatre InspiraTO’s Perfect Ten: Writing an Engaging 10-Minute Play workshop is on November 26 in Toronto.
  • Deadline to apply for Native Earth Performing Arts’ Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creators Reserve is November 28.
  • Alumnae Theatre’s Fireworks Writers’ Intensive with Diane Flacks begins November 30 in Toronto.
  • Shadowpath Theatre is hosting Femme Operative on November 30 in Aurora, a forum for female creative leaders to connect, support and inspire through artistic collaboration, information sharing and like-minded learning.
  • ArtsBuild Ontario is hosting a free webinar on Marketing Your Rental Spaces on November 30.
  • Deadline to apply for Cahoots Theatre’s Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creators Reserve is December 1.
  • Deadline to apply for the Ontario Arts Council’s Creative Engagement Fund to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment in Ontario is December 1.
  • Deadline to apply for the Canada Council’s Theatre International and Theatre Touring and Special Initiatives Funds is December 1.
  • Deadline to apply for Great Canadian Theatre Company’s Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creators Reserve is December 2.
  • Deadline to apply for Buddies In Bad Times’ Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creators Reserve is December 2.

New on The Bulletin Board

  • Applications are now open for the Cayle Chernin Awards, for female professional emerging or transitioning artists seeking assistance in the creation, development, or production of a new work. The submission deadline is February 17.
  • Submissions are now open for the Newmarket National 10 Minute Play Festival. Original play submissions are due on February 28.
Check out these items, and other postings from our members.
Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions, Job Postings and Discount Ticket Offers on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Tuesday 22 November 2016

Congratulations to the Professional Theatre Training Program Fall 2016 Grant Recipients

We are pleased to announce the latest recipients of training grants through Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP). We thank all those who applied to the program.

$36,094 was awarded in total among the following 9 recipients:
  • Heather Davies will train in artistic direction with Gil Garratt at Blyth Festival
  • Erin Gerofsky will train in set and costume design with Judith Bowden
  • Valerie Hawkins will train in direction with Jillian Keiley at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa
  • Michael O’Brien will train in digital media creation and directing with Sarah Garton Stanley at SpiderWebShow
  • Norah Paton will train in production management with Kevin Waghorn at the Ottawa Fringe Festival
  • Michela Sisti will train in artistic direction with Ross Manson at Volcano Theatre in Toronto
  • Jennifer Stewart will train in directing classical theatre with Jeannette Lambermont-Morey at Talk is Free Theatre in Barrie
  • Lisa Van Oorschot will train in lighting design with Kimberly Purtell
  • Kevin Wong will train in artistic direction with Marjorie Chan at Cahoots Theatre in Toronto
Over $147,780 was requested during this application round. The next application deadline for this program is March 1, 2017.

Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline except performance.


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

Monday 21 November 2016

ONstage Openings for the week of November 21

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

ONstage Now Playing in South Central Ontario
August: Osage County at Whitby Courthouse Theatre

In South Central Ontario

Nov. 24, Blithe Spirit at Beaverton Town Hall Players
Nov. 24, Spring Awakening at Theatre Aurora

In Southwestern Ontario

Nov. 24, Cinderella: The Panto at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, with public previews from Nov. 23
Nov. 25, The Wizard of Oz at The Grand Theatre (London), with previews from Nov. 22
Nov. 25, Sister Act at Drayton Entertainment: Dunfield Theatre Cambridge, with previews from Nov. 23
Nov. 25, A Dickens Christmas Carol at Cambridge Community Players
Nov. 25, The Giant's Garden at Guelph Little Theatre
Nov. 25, It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Theatre Woodstock
Nov. 25, To Kill a Mockingbird at Players' Guild of Hamilton
Nov. 25, Jack and the Beanstalk at Century Theatre Guild (Hillsburgh)

In Toronto

Nov. 22, Still/Falling at Young People's Theatre
Nov. 24, The Best Man at Stage Centre Productions
Nov. 24, Eat, Buy, Repeat: The Second City's Guide to the Holidays at The Second City
Nov. 25, Black Boys at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, currently in previews 

ONstage Now Playing in Central Ontario
Irving Berlin's White Christmas at VOS Theatre (Cobourg)

In Central Ontario

Nov. 24, 50: Our Golden Celebration at South Simcoe Theatre (Cookstown)
Nov. 24, Snow White the Panto at Port Hope Festival Theatre

In Eastern Ontario

Nov. 23, A Tuna Christmas at Bottle Tree Productions (Kingston)
Nov. 24, Empire of the Son at National Arts Centre—English Theatre (Ottawa), with previews from Nov. 22
Nov. 25, Jack and the Beanstalk at Stirling Festival Theatre


For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website

Friday 18 November 2016

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

Conversation Starters


Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres

The Franco Boni Theatre at The Theatre Centre
Photo by Dahlia Katz

Migrations


TO Toasts


In Case You Missed It

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

Wednesday 16 November 2016

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

  • Deadline to register with the Ontario Trillium Foundation for the next Grow Grant deadline is today. 
  • Deadline to submit to Theatre InspiraTO’s 12th Playwriting Contest of Ten-Minute Plays is November 20.
  • Deadline to apply to the Toronto Fringe Festival’s Accessible Lottery Category is November 20.
  • Deadline to apply for Young People’s Theatre Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creators Reserve is November 25.
  • Deadline for artists proposals for The Bentway in Toronto is November 25.

New on The Bulletin Board

  • Alumnae Theatre’s Fireworks Writers’ Intensive with Diane Flacks begins November 30 in Toronto.
  • Shadowpath Theatre is hosting Femme Operative in Aurora on November 30, a forum for female creative leaders to connect, support and inspire through artistic collaboration, information sharing and like-minded learning.
  • ArtsBuild Ontario is hosting a free webinar on Marketing Your Rental Spaces on November 30.
  • The MT Space in Kitchener is hosting an Advanced Acting Training and Theatre Creation workshop with Fadhel Jaibi, beginning December 2.
  • Odyssey Theatre invites submissions for their Ontario Arts Council Theatre Creators’ Reserve Program. Their funding priorities are works that incorporate a discipline related to masked theatre, and incorporate theatre forms from diverse cultural traditions. The submission deadline is January 3.
Check out these items, and other postings from our members.
Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions, Job Postings and Discount Ticket Offers on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Stories from the Youth Theatre Training Program: Jumblies Theatre

By Christine Rankin, Education Assistant

Our Youth Theatre Training Program (YTTP) offers financial support to programs that deliver accessible training to young people (age 14 to 21), led by professional artists in skills such as technical production and design; theatre administration and producing; and performance skills and play creation. 

Jumblies Theatre was supported for their program ‘Touching Ground: Building Up’ that took place in the CityPlace community during September-February 2016. 

Jumblies Theatre embraces the wholeness of community and develops art that extends beyond the borders of time and place. Their theatre project as supported by YTTP was entitled Touching Ground: Building Up. It was created to celebrate the diversity of youth, to unearth the indigenous histories of Toronto, and to inspire different methods of artistic creation for young artists. Between September 2015 and February 2016, the workshop series explored different modes of storytelling on the quest for youth to tell their own tales of living in CityPlace: a residential community downtown Toronto where Jumblies resides.

During the 18 weeks, youths were trained in soundscapes, voice, movement and primarily in shadow puppetry. They participated in physical theatre, collective writing, and visual projection workshops to develop unique skills for multidisciplinary performance. The training sessions continually encouraged the participants to challenge how theatre could be created. They used found text, verbatim text and even interviews to give their work an authentic quality that was true to their community. The participants were thrilled with the possibilities of performance and design that were both accessible and perception changing—what a way to broaden your horizons as an artist!

Emphasis was placed on using performance to explore oral histories, folklore and urban myth. The participants were motivated to discover how these themes interacted with their own writing and whether they could bring vibrancy to their narratives—a question that was answered with a resounding yes and fully embraced in their final project. Several sessions were dedicated to contemplating the structure of community and the diversity within it that makes each member of the community a storyteller.  The participants were unbelievably enthusiastic about this art-making opportunity: 
“My favourite thing was making the physical clown characters”
“My favourite part was making our own costumes!” 
“I really enjoyed the script writing process…this was my first time: I want to bring friends!”
These discoveries were points of inspiration for the final performance piece—a shared creation devised through collective-based rehearsal work that reflected their experiences of community through allegory. Their final work entitled “Little Dream, Big City” focused on physical theatre and shadow puppetry—a favourite for many of the participants - to tell the story of lost prehistoric animals in CityPlace. The piece paralleled the participants’ experiences of exploring the daunting city of Toronto and empathized the anxieties of changing not only one’s environment but their idea of home—an internal conflict that many of the youth had engaged with before.

An additional focus of the program was the empowerment of youth and the creation of a safe space for art-making. From script writing to designing projections, the youths found new energy in previously undiscovered places. Participants expressed their content with working with others, stating:
“I hope I get to do more experiences like this. I really liked theatre design and met some new friends.”
“I wish this was continuing: loved working with everyone!”
“Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this amazing show!”
Participants were encouraged to have pride in their artistic work, their visions, their stories, and each other. Each young artist left feeling inspired to pave the way for more art by youth and to use their voice to express their perspective of this rapidly changing world. Jumblies Theatre noted:
“They left the group as a positive young collective and we hope to continue working with them as they develop as young artists and community leaders”  
Theatre Ontario’s YTTP is incredibly excited to be a part of Jumblies Theatre wonderful initiative to inspire these new leaders: we can’t wait to hear what happens next!

The next application deadline for the Youth Theatre Training Program is March 15, 2017.


Theatre Ontario’s Youth Theatre Training Program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Monday 14 November 2016

ONstage Openings for the week of November 14

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

ONstage Now Playing in Toronto
The Enchanted Loom at Cahoots Theatre
Kawa Ada, Zorana Sadiq, Sam Khalilieh, Asha Vijayasingham
Photo by Dahlia Katz

In South Central Ontario

Nov. 16, Doubt, a Parable at Markham Little Theatre
Nov. 17, How 2 $ucceed in Business without really trying at Oshawa Little Theatre
Nov. 18, The Last Resort at The Curtain Club (Richmond Hill), with a preview on Nov. 17

In Southwestern Ontario

Nov. 17, Scrooge Macbeth at Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre
Nov. 17, Straight Through the Heart at Goderich Little Theatre
Nov. 17, A Christmas Story at Simcoe Little Theatre
Nov. 18, 'Tis the Season at Oh Canada Eh? Productions (Niagara Falls), with previews from Nov. 16
Nov. 18, Disney's Beauty and the Beast at Theatre Sarnia
Nov. 18, Shrek the Musical at Theatre Ancaster (Hamilton)
Nov. 18, Frozen Dreams at Grey Wellington Theatre Guild (Harriston)
Nov. 18, Cinderella at Theatre Burlington
Nov. 18, The Nerd at Thistle Theatre (Embro)

In Toronto

Nov. 16, Seussical at Young People's Theatre, with previews from Nov. 14
Nov. 18, Leacock Live! at ACT II Studio Theatre (Toronto) 
Nov. 19, Black Boys at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, in previews 

ONstage Now Playing in Toronto
Cavalcade at George Brown Theatre School
Lillian Scriven and Michael Ricci
Photo by Andrew Oxenham

In Central Ontario

Nov. 17, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Kincardine Theatre Guild
Nov. 17, White Christmas at VOS Theatre (Cobourg)
Nov. 18, Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr. at Kempenfelt Community Players (Barrie)
Nov. 18, And Then the Lights Went Out at Lindsay Little Theatre

In Eastern Ontario

Nov. 15, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at indie women productions (Ottawa)
Nov. 17, The Crucible at Brockville Theatre Guild
Nov. 18, The Addams Family at Orpheus Musical Theatre Society (Ottawa)


For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website

Thursday 10 November 2016

Stories from the Professional Theatre Training Program

Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.)

Today we feature two stories:
The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is March 1, 2017.


Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Stories from the Professional Theatre Training Program: Jane Spence

Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.)

Jane Spence training in artistic direction with David Nairn at Theatre Orangeville.

The Ghost Island Light at Theatre Orangeville
(October 18, 2016) It has been an incredibly busy month, in fact, I am writing this during our cue- to-cue dinner break for The Ghost Island Light. Assisting Derek Ritschel on this project has been an enlightening experience. Mr. Ritschel comes very prepared with a clear vision and directs with great specificity yet allows his actors room to play and explore. Though this is primarily a remount, he allowed for new discoveries and used every opportunity to fine tune each moment. He has been very generous in sharing his insight and wisdom, while encouraging development of my own unique process. He made me feel my contributions were valued as he did with each person on his team. It was very useful to witness how he collaborated with his lighting designer and stage manager. As most of my career experience has been as a performer I am especially grateful for the information I garnered on the process outside of rehearsal.

During this time I have also been shadowing Artistic Director David Nairn. I attended casting sessions, board meetings, staff meetings, council meetings, fundraising committee meetings, and classes. We are currently in the process of programming next year’s season. In the next six weeks I am looking forward to participating in two workshops for new Canadian plays that will be premiered next season. I will also be assisting Mr. Nairn on Miracle on 34th Street, and continue to examine what it means to be an Artistic Director.

I have been welcomed and supported by everyone on staff and I feel very grateful to have this opportunity to have an in-depth exploration of the functions and responsibilities of each position. I am inspired and overwhelmed (in the best of ways) by all of the fabulous information this program has provided me and I am excited for what the next phase will bring.

Related Reading:

The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is March 1, 2017.


Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Stories from the Professional Theatre Training Program: Thom Allison

Our Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.)

Thom Allison training in directing with Allen MacInnis at the Grand Theatre in London

(September 30, 2016) So admittedly there is not tons to report as we are finally just starting rehearsals for Joni Mitchell: River, but it's been so great to be in on the planning of the set. (The costumes are contemporary and will be created on the actors once rehearsals have started.)

But one of the things I've been wanting to experience was the meetings about the creation of costumes and set. I was able to be in the first meeting about the set with Dana Osborne (Set and costumes) and Allen MacInnis (director) which started with idea and impressions about Joni Mitchell's music and themes—the  openness and space of the prairies (where she came from), landscape of places Joni have lived, freedom, love, loss. Then the following meetings over the course of about 3 or 4 months where the space changed and morphed. Dana would bring in a model and Allen would give his thoughts and gut reactions. And Dana would change and play with the movable pieces to accommodate or suggest.

I have to say, Allen MacInnis could not be a more spectacular mentor. He has invited my opinion and thoughts at every stage along the way. Opinions about colour of wood, floor, how many "islands", etc. And he has been available and open to any question, no matter how seemingly obvious or convoluted. 

About 4 or 5 weeks before we started rehearsals, I asked Allen if there was anything in particular he might want me to do in getting ready to start. He suggested I go through the "chapters" of the show (8 groupings of Joni's songs that make up the show) and see what my thoughts were about the lighting, as we were about to have meeting with the lighting designer. This was a great idea since planning the lighting is something we are never a part of as actors. I had a look through the script and realized I had no point of reference of how to talk about or think about the lighting so I went with what I know: what is the feel of each sequence and what story does it tell.

I brought my observations to Allen and we had a great discussion about the nature of many of the songs. And Allen said discussing the feeling or mood or impressions is a way that many designers like to work. It leaves them creativity. And he assured me that more vocabulary will come but you can't teach instinct. Love it.

This also led to a wonderful discussion about the nature of directing. How instinct plays such a large part. How you must plan as much as you can and then be ready to let it all go if some other magic is in the room telling you other options. Magic being the actors’ instincts, something you are seeing happening as directors, etc. Once again, Allen was incredibly helpful in terms of actual and energetic information about directing.

Along the way there have been many instances of comments and mini-discussions, too short to mention but it's all made me very excited to get into rehearsal mode.

Peace out ...till the next and last blog.

Related Reading:

The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is March 1, 2017.


Theatre Ontario’s Professional Theatre Training Program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Wednesday 9 November 2016

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

  • Deadline to apply to the Ontario Arts Council’s Northern Arts grant is November 15.
  • Deadline to register with the Ontario Trillium Foundation for the next Grow Grant deadline is November 16. 

New on The Bulletin Board

  • ArtsBuild Ontario invites applications for the Arts Facilities Mentoring Network, matching facility cultural leaders around Ontario with experienced mentors based on the projects, plans and challenges identified in their application. The deadline is January 10.

Check out these items, and other postings from our members.
Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions, Job Postings and Discount Ticket Offers on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Tuesday 8 November 2016

Legendary Commitment to Community Theatre

Our Michael Spence Award recognizes outstanding contribution, generosity of spirit, involvement, and legendary commitment to community theatre in a region. The award is now presented annually within the region that is hosting the Theatre Ontario Festival.

In 2017, the award will be presented to someone in the Eastern Ontario region of Ontario community theatre. The deadline for nominations to be received by Theatre Ontario is January 31.

We caught up with three past recipients of the Michael Spence Award from the Eastern Ontario Drama League region to find out how they are contributing to theatre in their communities.

Arlene Watson (Ottawa) was awarded the Michael Spence Award in 2002

I was very honoured to receive the Michael Spence Award in 2002, and have remained quite active in local community theatre. Community theatre in and around the city of Ottawa has blossomed over the last fourteen years, and because of that, I have had the good fortune to work with Ottawa Little Theatre, More Theatre, Goya Productions, Suzart Productions, Kanata Theatre, Phoenix Players, and Kemptville Players, both on and off stage.

In addition to holding a position on the board of the Eastern Ontario Drama League (this is my 27th year!), I have recently joined the boards of Suzart Productions and Phoenix Players. Suzart Productions is a youth-based musical theatre company that is currently transforming into a much more formal organization and it’s gratifying to be able to share my knowledge and organizational skills with them in this venture.

The family of community theatres in Ottawa is alive and well. Some of our groups work hand-in-hand with local professional theatre companies, to everyone’s advantage. Phoenix Players, for instance, is part of a user group working with professional companies at The Gladstone Theatre. We all benefit from this cooperative sharing of ideas and experience, and our patrons are richer for it.

Theatre has been a big part of my life for the last 33 years, and I plan to continue my association with—and support of—community theatre for many, many years to come.  

Beth McMaster (Peterborough) was awarded the Michael Spence Award in 2007

It was a great honour to be named the Michael Spence Award winner in 2007. I had received the Maggie Bassett Award seven years earlier and thought that would be the end of my accolades. It's amazing how recognition by your peers motivates you to continue to learn and to practise the craft you love.

My work started with writing and directing plays for children for Peterborough Theatre Guild, then evolved into creating two thrillers for the stage. During that period I chaired the Board that created Showplace, Peterborough’s downtown performance space. More recently I have been writing and producing fundraisers for Showplace. I started with several Spring Tonic Shows that involved a huge number of talented people bringing songs, skits and dances to a script I had written, usually about some historical aspect of Peterborough.

More recently I have been doing a Legendary Icon Series based on the lives of well-known entertainers such as Noel Coward, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. Again, I write the script and wonderfully talented people do the songs. 

All the while I have produced several shows for Peterborough Theatre Guild, including The Mouse House by Robert Ainsworth which won the Theatre Ontario Festival in 2012 and has gone on to be produced by many other companies. Those of us involved in creating that premiere production are very proud of that show.

I also directed the winning play at the Eastern Ontario One Act Festival in 2013.

When Peterborough Theatre Guild celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2015, I found myself very involved speaking to various groups to tell our story. As one of the few remaining Founding Members it was an honour to relate the struggles of that brave group who laid the groundwork for the still bustling organization.

Margaret Shearman (Merrickville) was awarded the Michael Spence Award in 2012

I was more than honoured to have received the Michael Spence Award in 2012. Reading back on the accomplishments of previous and subsequent winners, I feel a little overwhelmed being named in such illustrious company.

So, what have I done since receiving the award? Well what I haven’t done has been onstage, I envy those who can still learn lines well on into their 80s, but that is not me unfortunately and I don’t want to put myself, or others on stage with me, in that awful terrifying heart stopping terror of ‘Drying on stage.’

But, the wonderful thing about community theatre is that there are so many other areas in which one can submerge themselves. The administrative side of keeping a company alive and well, which unfortunately very few people want to do, can be so rewarding. Then there are all the backstage and front of house positions. I have kept myself involved in the production, directing and administration areas in our company.  I am a past president of the Eastern Ontario Drama League and am still on that board as their Newsletter Editor, a position I have held now for 15 years.

I have been instrumental in securing a 10-year lease with the village starting in January 2017 to allow our community theatre to have priority use of the upstairs room in the community centre to accommodate our costumes and to use as our meeting and rehearsal space—at last after 42 years we will have a space to call our own. Yes, this is real Community Theatre.

Four years ago, one of the plays I directed won the EODL Festival—it was the first time in 35 years that we had won, what a thrill that was. If you have heard the story of the unfortunate theatre company that had the lights go out on their performance at the Theatre Ontario Festival: well that was us. After all that work, five minutes before the end of Act One there was a major power failure in the area and the building was evacuated—that was the end of our performance. Well, we are entering the EODL festival again this year with another play I am directing, Robert Ainsworth’s Frozen Dreams. Should we be lucky enough to get to the Theatre Ontario Festival again, well, they say lightning doesn’t strike twice, so that is good news!

Related Reading

We also fondly remember Joan McRae of Peterborough, one of the inaugural recipients of the award in 1997 who passed away in 2013.

Monday 7 November 2016

ONstage Openings for the week of November 7

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

ONstage Opening in Eastern Ontario
Equivocation at Kanata Theatre (Ottawa)
Photo by Michele Baddoo

In Eastern Ontario

Nov. 8, Equivocation at Kanata Theatre (Ottawa)
Nov. 11, EODL One-Act Festival 2016 hosted by Studio Theatre Perth

In Northeastern Ontario

Nov. 9, Dracula at Gateway Theatre Guild (North Bay)

In South Central Ontario

Nov. 9, Gibson & Sons at The Oakville Players
Nov. 10, August: Osage County at Whitby Courthouse Theatre
Nov. 10, West Side Story at Brampton Music Theatre

ONstage Opening in Southwestern Ontario
The Daisy Theatre at The Grand Theatre (London)

In Southwestern Ontario

Nov. 7, The Daisy Theatre at The Grand Theatre (London)

In Toronto

Nov. 9, Cavalcade at George Brown Theatre School
Nov. 9, FireWorks 2016 at Alumnae Theatre Company
Nov. 9, Weesageechak Begins to Dance 29: Annual Festival of Indigenous Works at Native Earth Performing Arts
Nov. 10, The Enchanted Loom at Cahoots Theatre Company, currently in previews
Nov. 10, Les Liaisons Dangereuses at Amicus Productions
Nov. 11, Secrets of a Black Boy at Theatre Passe Muraille, with a preview on Nov. 10
Nov. 12, Chasse-Galerie at Soulpepper Theatre, with a preview on Nov. 11

In Central Ontario

ONstage Now Playing in Toronto
The Music Man at Scarborough Music Theatre
Nov. 9, Irving Berlin's White Christmas at Owen Sound Little Theatre
Nov. 11, Crimes of the Heart at Huronia Players (Midland)

Touring

Nov. 9, Wounded Soldiers from 4th Line Theatre


For all the theatre playing across Ontario, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website

Friday 4 November 2016

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

We're saddened to hear of Debra McLauchlan’s sudden passing—a former Theatre Ontario Board member, member and past chair of the Youth Theatre Training Program jury, Chair of the Board of Carousel Players, and a voice for the arts well beyond her work teaching in the Faculty of Education at Brock University. Jane Gardner (GM of Carousel) described her as “a tireless advocate for the arts and the role it plays in schools and lifelong learning. She initiated many dynamic community-based partnerships that have linked educators with arts and heritage organizations in Niagara including Carousel Players, St. Catharines Museum, and Shaw Festival. Together with Carousel Players, Debra helped to launch the annual Norah Morgan Award to celebrate the contributions and achievements of elementary school teachers who have made a strong contribution to the arts in Niagara schools. Debra was a thoughtful, positive force and an inspiring mentor. The arts and education communities have lost a true ally and leader.”  Brock University also reflected on Debra’s to their community.

Conversation Starters


Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres


TO Toasts


In Case You Missed It


I am away next week at the EODL One-Act Festival in Perth, but Ontario Off Stage will return on November 18.

Thursday 3 November 2016

Seeking Course Proposals for Summer Theatre Intensive 2017

We are seeking proposals from theatre instructors for courses for our 2017 Summer Theatre Intensive.

Our 2017 program will be taking place in early-to-mid August, 2017. These courses are targeted to participants between ages of 18 to 65 and should be of interest to community theatre practitioners and theatre professionals alike. The week-long intensive begins Sunday evening and ends Friday with a dinner and a closing event. There will be 6 hours of teaching per day for five days from Monday to Friday. Students will be rehearsing or studying in the evenings. One evening of the week will include a trip to a theatre performance and another evening set aside for a visiting playwright. Instructors are paid for the week's instruction and provided with meals and accommodation. 

Wednesday 2 November 2016

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

Voice Over workshop with Elley-Ray
  • Running away from a blank page? Learn how to get past writer’s block. Join us at our PGC Writer’s Block webinar with Marcia Johnson in partnership with Playwrights Guild of Canada on November 3 in Toronto.
  • Keep your team safe and your show running smoothly—join us at our Health and Safety for Independent and Community Theatres workshop with Janet Sellery on November 5 in Toronto.
  • Learn the techniques and the language to stage human sexuality in a way that is professional, dynamic and focused on storytelling at our Intimacy for the Stage weekend intensive with Tonia Sina in partnership with Burning Mountain on November 12 and 13 in Toronto.
  • Build and maintain a solid career that industry professionals and audiences will trust in our Building Your Brand as an Artist workshop with Edward Power on November 14 in Toronto.
  • Answers to your FAQ’s about the business of acting! Join us at our Launching Your Career workshop with Rachel Kennedy and guest Claire Armstrong, in partnership with Artscape Launchpad on November 22 in Toronto. 
  • Preparing an OAC application? Get the inside scoop at our Grant Writing Information pre-recorded webinar, with Pat Bradley of the Ontario Arts Council, available on November 22.
  • Want to know the secrets to a successful voice acting career? Join us at our Voice Over workshop with Elley-Ray on November 26 in Toronto.  
  • What does an agent do and why should you have one? Join us at our Ask an Agent workshop with Alicia Jeffery on November 28 in Toronto.
  • Members save 50% on E-learning courses from WorkInCulture. One of the six courses available is Marketing—Find and grow your audience! How do you make the leap from "Sounds like a great show" to "Two tickets, please"? This course will take you through that process, developing and enhancing your marketing skills along the way.
Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream and Creator Stream workshops.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

  • The AOE Artpreneur Conference in Ottawa is on November 5.
  • Theatre Orangeville’s Introduction to Stage Combat workshop for youth 11 to 17 is on November 5.

New on The Bulletin Board

  • The Bentway in Toronto is looking for ideas. Got an idea for The Bentway (formerly Project: Under Gardiner)? Share how you would turn this forgotten space under Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway into a place of discovery and creativity! Submission deadline is November 25.
Check out these items, and other postings from our members.
Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions, Job Postings and Discount Ticket Offers on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Tuesday 1 November 2016

Be the Voice of Youth in Theatre Today

We are currently seeking new members for our Youth Advisory Committee (YAC).

The YAC will be responsible for establishing and implementing a plan of action for the next twelve months with the aim of creating greater accessibility to youth interested in a career in theatre and/or youth passionate about fostering the next generation of theatre artists. The YAC will act as ambassadors for Theatre Ontario and for youth engaged with theatre across Ontario. In 2016 the YAC focused on assembling and increasing accessibility to resources for emerging artists as well as on the power of peer-to-peer networking. What do you think the YAC could focus on in 2017?