Stories from the Professional Theatre Training Program: Christine Horne

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

Christine Horne trained in directing with Eda Holmes at Canadian Stage in Toronto

(November 11, 2018) I returned home a few days ago after a week in Montreal for the transfer of The Children from Canadian Stage to the Centaur Theatre. I’ve done a little bit of touring as an actor, but never a proper transfer like this. So the experience was entirely new.

During the Toronto run, Eda was back in Montreal (where she lives and works as Artistic Director of The Centaur), so the job of checking in on the show at home fell to me. It was nice to feel useful, and trusted by the actors and stage management. Tech had been stressful, with lots of complicated bits to work out—water flowing across the floor, an apple rolling effortlessly across a table, a wig and bald pate to finesse—and by the time the show was opening, no one felt especially ready. So it was very satisfying to revisit the show a couple of times through the run to watch as things deepened and grew. 

The move to The Centaur, after a nearly two-week hiatus for the cast, went really well. Everyone was relaxed and rested, and genuinely excited to be there. There were lots of tiny adjustments to be made to the sound and lighting, just by virtue of the different equipment and the space being nearly twice as big, and the water once again had to be worked out. But in the end, everything came together beautifully, and comparatively smoothly. And though I had to leave after the first preview, by all accounts their opening night performance in Montreal was the best the show has ever been.

I learned so much through this process, and the words of support and encouragement not only from Eda, but from the cast and stage management as well, have really meant a lot to me. I’m going to keep venturing down this path, learning and practicing where I can. This has been an incredibly valuable, inspiring experience, and I’ll always be so grateful for the opportunity. Thank you, Theatre Ontario!

Related Reading:

• Christine’s first update
• Christine’s second update

The next application deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program is March 1, 2019.

Learn more about Theatre Ontario's Professional Theatre Training Program

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