Introducing Professional Development Workshop for Adjudicators

As part of Theatre Ontario’s Adjudicator Professional Development series, we are excited to offer a new workshop for Ontario’s adjudicators “The Adjudicator’s Voice: How to Say What You Mean Without Saying What You Think”, lead by Annette G. Procunier.

Suitable for both emerging adjudicators and for established adjudicators interested in enhancing their skills, this workshop will help adjudicators with the art of critique and strengthening their communications.

Adjudicators at the workshop will:

• Explore style, language, content and focus in establishing rapport and creating an environment for learning
• Discuss public versus private adjudication
• Discuss how to engage participants in dialogue without allowing them to take control of the situation
• Discuss professional judgement versus personal opinion

As an adjudicator, our instructor has participated in festivals in Europe, Canada, Japan and the United States having judged more than 125 festivals in 30 years including Theatre Ontario Festival, and festivals for QUONTA and EODL. She has adjudicated the World Theatre Festival in Monaco for IATA and the national festival for the American Association of Community Theatre four times. She is the author of Do You See What I See? on adjudication.

The workshop is being held on Saturday May 18 in Richmond Hill. This is during the Theatre Ontario Festival, and gives participants an opportunity to also attend performances and Festival adjudications, and to meet with members of the community theatre sector from across Ontario.

Learn more about Theatre Ontario’s “Adjudicator’s Voice” workshop

Join Us at the Theatre Ontario Adjudicators Symposium

Adjudication at Theatre Ontario Festival 2018

Registrations are now open for our annual Adjudicators Symposium, running Saturday, September 22, 2018, from 10:00am to 4:00pm at the Theatre Ontario office in Toronto.

The Symposium will open with a discussion of the past year of adjudication. Adjudicators who were engaged at community theatre festivals in 2017/18 are invited to share their experiences during the season.

In the “Adjudication Techniques Roundtable”, we will discuss techniques and practices in a variety of areas of adjudication. Participants will suggest topics for conversation.

This year’s Symposium will also feature a “Meet the Engagers” panel with representatives from Ontario community theatre festivals.

Join us at Theatre Ontario’s Adjudicators Symposium

Save the Date for the Theatre Ontario Adjudicators Symposium

Annette G. Procunier leading a Detailed
Adjudication at Theatre Ontario Festival 2017

Mark your calendars!  We've booked the date for our next Theatre Ontario Adjudicators Symposium – it will be Saturday, September 22, 2018, from 10:00am to 4:00pm at the Theatre Ontario office in Toronto.

The Symposium is one of Theatre Ontario’s professional development and networking events for adjudicators of all experience levels. Adjudicators discuss techniques, approaches and strategies for public and detailed adjudications; and their adjudication experiences during the past year. This year’s Symposium will feature a “Meet the Engagers” panel with representatives from community theatre festivals.

Registration will open in late July.

Learn more about Theatre Ontario’s Adjudicators Symposium

Seeking Community Theatres Willing to Host Trial Adjudications

Theatre Ontario's 2018 Introduction to Adjudication class

At Theatre Ontario Festival 2018 in London, we completed our fourth “Introduction to Adjudication” course. Now the students, fresh off their intensive study of adjudication techniques, are looking for opportunities to practice their skills.

We are now looking for community theatres willing to host these Trial Adjudications. There are some administrative requirements for theatres: we need seats and space—and most importantly we need an enthusiastic, open-minded attitude. If you think this is a fit for your community theatre, let us know!

Learn more about Theatre Ontario’s Trial Adjudications program

Join Us at our "Introduction to Adjudication" Course in London

Our Introduction to Adjudication course returns to London in 2018. This course is an opportunity for individuals interested in learning adjudication skills in an intensive festival setting.

"Introduction to Adjudication" is for emerging and potential adjudicators. Participants will receive training in the principles of adjudication, attend community theatre performances at Theatre Ontario Festival 2018, and practice adjudicating presentation skills in a private setting. After the course, participants have the opportunity, at their discretion, to perform a practice adjudication at an Ontario community theatre.

The course is taught by Ron Cameron-Lewis who has adjudicated well over 2,000 productions throughout Ontario and internationally, and taught adjudication at Festivals in Ontario and the U.S.

This course will run May 16 to 20, 2018 in London as part of Theatre Ontario Festival 2018.

Learn more about Theatre Ontario’s Introduction to Adjudication Course

Join Us at the Adjudicators Symposium

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

Our Adjudicators Symposium has been scheduled for Saturday, October 14 from 10:00am to 4:00pm at the Theatre Ontario office in Toronto. Registrations are now open.

As has become tradition, the Symposium will open with a discussion of “The Past Year of Adjudication.” Adjudicators who were engaged at community theatre festivals in 2016/17 are invited to share their experiences.

In the “Adjudication Techniques Roundtable”, we will discuss strategies for approaching areas of adjudication. Two suggestions have come forward already:

• Adjudicator-Director conversations in adjudications
• Adjudicating Intimacy

Further suggestions for topics are invited, as well.

We will also have breakout sessions to discuss “Broader Issues and Big Ideas in Adjudication.” So far, we have three conversation starters:

• Articulating the Value of Adjudication and Why We Adjudicate
• Connecting Adjudicators and Prospective Engagers
• Adjudicator Membership and Involvement in Community Theatres and Productions

Again, suggestions for other topics is appreciated.

Join us at Theatre Ontario’s Adjudicators Symposium

Save the Date for the Theatre Ontario Adjudicators Symposium

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

Mark your calendars!  We've booked the date for our next Theatre Ontario Adjudicators Symposium – it will be Saturday, October 14, 2017, from 10:00am to 3:30pm at the Theatre Ontario office in Toronto.

Registration will open in July, and I will be soliciting proposed topics for both the "Techniques Roundtable" (where adjudicators discuss approaches and strategies they use in public and detailed adjudications) and “Issues in Adjudication” conversation starters for breakout sessions. Adjudicators also discuss their experiences during the past year.

Learn more about Theatre Ontario’s Adjudicators Symposium

Conversation Starters for the Adjudicators Symposium

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

Theatre Ontario's Adjudicators Symposium is an opportunity for adjudicators to benefit from professional development and networking.

The Symposium is a forum to share experiences, compare techniques and practices, and discuss training needs and opportunities.

This year, some of the adjudication techniques we’re going to explore in a round-table format include:

• Planning for an adjudication
• Making the most of intermission
• Effective note-taking and note-organizing
• Providing tangible information for participants’ future productions

The Symposium is also an opportunity for deeper conversation around issues in adjudication, programming, and philosophy.  Potential conversation starters this year include:

• In-service adjudications: How can we provide peer-to-peer feedback on adjudications for emerging and established adjudicators? How can we highlight and promote the work of adjudicators?
• The value of public adjudication: Why should public adjudication be part of the adjudication process?
• Consistency vs. individuality: Adjudicators all have their own individual techniques. But where is there an expectation of consistency? When can varying techniques cause problems?
• The philosophy, practicality, and ethics of award distribution: Part of the adjudicator’s job in competitive festivals is allocating awards and honourable mentions. Beyond the context of a specific Festival’s award rules, what principles guide adjudicators regarding such recognition?
• Artistic citizenship: What does it mean? How does it apply to the work of adjudicators?

We invite Ontario’s adjudicators to join us at the Theatre Ontario Adjudicators Symposium on October 1 from 10am to 3:30pm in Toronto.

Register for the Theatre Ontario Adjudicators Symposium

Join Us at the Theatre Ontario Adjudicators Symposium

Theatre Ontario's Adjudicators Symposium is an annual opportunity for adjudicators to benefit from professional development and networking. The Symposium is a forum to share experiences, compare techniques and practices, and discuss training needs and opportunities.

This year's Symposium will be held on October 1, 2016 from 10:00am to 3:30pm at the Theatre Ontario office in Toronto. Registration is now open.

We are currently developing the symposium content for this year. Topics will include the past year in adjudication and the sharing of experiences, techniques, and best practices. We will also explore “in-service adjudication opportunities” for current members of the Talent Bank.

We also invite suggestions for other Adjudicators Symposium topics.

Related Reading

• Talking About Adjudication: Adjudicators Symposium 2015 by Brandon Moore
• A Lifelong Love of Adjudication by Brandon Moore
• A Roundtable on Richmond: Adjudicators Symposium 2014 by Carolee Mason
• On the Art of Adjudication by Dennis Johnson

Learn more about Theatre Ontario's Adjudicators Symposium

Join us at Introduction to Adjudication

"Introduction To Adjudication" is a course for emerging and potential adjudicators. Participants will receive training in the principles of adjudication, attend performances of the 2016 Eastern Ontario Drama League Festival of community theatre, and practice adjudication presentation skills in a private setting. After the course, participants have the opportunity, at their discretion, to perform a practice adjudication at an Ontario community theatre.

The course runs April 6 to 10 in Peterborough and is led by Ron Cameron-Lewis. The registration deadline is March 3.

"I loved the mix of theory, personal experience and practical application. The course gave a clear indication of what adjudication is and whether or not it's something I want to pursue." - from one past participant

This course is made possible in part by the support of the Eastern Ontario Drama League and Peterborough Theatre Guild.

Learn more about Theatre Ontario’s Introduction to Adjudication course

Talking About Adjudication

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

Among an adjudicator’s skills, communications—both listening and speaking—is arguably the most important. Adjudicators have to be able to talk knowledgably and effectively with theatre companies about their work. So it’s not surprising when you bring a group of adjudicators together—as Theatre Ontario did at our annual Adjudicators Symposium in September—there is lot of talk, and a lot to talk about.

We talked about the past year of adjudication. Adjudicators saw ambitious programming choices and they saw safe programming choices. They were excited every time they saw enthusiasm for learning at theatres. But we also recognized that many theatres don’t know how to articulate their specific training needs: they just don’t know what they don’t know. Theatre Ontario used to provide “Workshops You Want”, a catalogue of workshops for community theatres, but demand was low—is it time for a revival, or do we need to explore other tools?

From a past Theatre Ontario Adjudicators Symposium. 

We reviewed standards and expectations for adjudications, and discussed tactics for a good adjudication. We talked about how much an adjudicator can know about what happens behind-the-scenes, and the inherent limitations of knowing what challenges a company overcame to bring a production to the stage.

We touched on feedback. As you would hope from anyone who is in the business of providing feedback, adjudicators are interested in receiving it, too. Together we have developed feedback tools, we will try to implement these tools for Theatre Ontario Festival, and we will continue to encourage regional festivals to have a process to gather and provide feedback for adjudicators.

We discussed inclusion and diversity in the pool of adjudicators. As one adjudicator put it, when recruiting adjudicators, we need to find ways to “excite people who may not think they belong.”

We debated awards and “nominations”/honourable mentions, and how that relates to the educational goals of festivals. For some adjudication participants, the outcome of awards can often undermine or de-value the educational component. But awards and recognition can be a valuable part of competitive festivals. While there wasn’t consensus on this topic, there was agreement that a perception of consistency in the process was important.

This year was our sixth symposium since we founded the program in 2010. As always, the opportunity to gather among peers was appreciated—“I haven’t seen you in years!” was frequently heard to start the day. Adjudicators work in isolation, and the value of coming together was reinforced throughout the Symposium.

My favourite comment of the day was that there is a “moral responsibility” in adjudication. Adjudicators encourage excellence through education and recognition. As someone one described it to me, a good adjudicator finds community theatre creators where they are, and with whatever skills and knowledge they have, and gives them the tools to move forward and improve. As we try to answer the question “What’s next?”, we will benefit by continuing to talk about that moral responsibility.

After the Symposium, I travelled to Cobourg for a trial adjudication at Northumberland Players. While it made for a long day, it was an ideal finale for me. Spending time with an adjudicator eager to practice and improve her skills, and observing the interaction between an adjudicator and a company—it reinforced for me that days like our Adjudicator Symposium are important. We should always keep talking about adjudication.

Related Reading

• Learn more about Theatre Ontario's Adjudicators Symposium
• Learn more about Theatre Ontario's Talent Bank

Seeking Enthusiastic Community Theatres for Trial Adjudications

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

Earlier this month, I shared some of my own feelings about adjudication, my belief in the potential of adjudication, and our Adjudicators Symposium program of professional development for adjudicators.

Another part of training adjudicators is our Trial Adjudications, when we “audition” new adjudicators.  Some adjudicators have gone through a classroom training program and are ready to be “tested in the field”, others may be new to Ontario and looking to demonstrate their ability.  Whatever their backgrounds, these prospective adjudicators are eager to share their enthusiasm and experience as theatre instructors in an adjudication setting.

Sandy Macdonald and Deanna Clatworthy meet
following her trial adjudication at Aylmer Community Theatre.

This program wouldn’t work without our community theatre participants.  As a new community theatre season kicks off, we are looking for theatres willing to volunteer time, tickets, and an enthusiastic attitude to participate in the Trial Adjudication process.

There are some administrative requirements for theatres: we need a space and a script, and we will need you to give us your feedback on the process.  But if you think this is a fit for your community theatre, let us know!

Learn more about Theatre Ontario’s Trial Adjudications program

Related reading:

• "Training a New Generation of Adjudicators"
• Learn more about Theatre Ontario’s Adjudicators Symposium
• “A Lifelong Love of Adjudication"

A Lifelong Love of Adjudication

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

I was adjudicated for the first time when I was 15 years old. Chris Covert was adjudicating the Association of Community Theatres—Central Ontario (ACT-CO) Festival, and I was acting in a production of The Innocents at The Curtain Club in Richmond Hill.  Chris’s health was deteriorating (it was his final Festival) but in spite of that, the way he spoke with me about craft—as someone still figuring out “acting technique”—created a lifelong love of the potential in a great adjudication.  I’ve been a fan of great adjudication ever since.

In 2010, a group of Theatre Ontario staff and established adjudicators met to discuss the state of adjudication in the province.  We’d heard concerns from adjudicators, regional associations, and community theatre members—and saw an opportunity to review Theatre Ontario’s work in the area of adjudication.

Theatre Ontario's Adjudicators Symposium

One of the initiatives we introduced was the Adjudicators Symposium—a forum for adjudicators to come together, share experiences, and identify professional development opportunities.  Going into our sixth Symposium, we’ve explored things like standards for adjudication, peer review, and techniques for handling difficult situations in an adjudication.

The agendas have been created by input from the adjudicators—and also by input from the community theatre sector.  As we plan our Adjudicators Symposium for 2015, we’d like to hear from you—we invite your input as a conversation in the comments below, or by email (brandon@theatreontario.org)  What have your adjudication experiences been like?  What opportunities do you see in the adjudication process?  Where do we need to go from here?

I’ve lost count of the number of adjudications I’ve attended over the past 25 years.  As an artist, I’ve benefited from some wonderful adjudications, and I’ve suffered through some worthless adjudications.  The useful adjudications have—thankfully—outweighed the useless ones.  We look forward to the community’s input as we try to create far more wonderful adjudications at Ontario’s community theatres, and continue to develop for others a lifelong love of adjudication.

A Roundtable on Richmond

By Carolee Mason

What happens when you fill a room with a group of seasoned theatre professionals, who all serve as Theatre Ontario adjudicators? When everyone sitting around the table is used to having the floor, giving opinions and guiding the discussion, you might think dialogue impossible.

On September 13, Anne Mooney and Bruce Pitkin played hosts to the annual Theatre Ontario Adjudicators’ Symposium. The day’s focus was on sharing best practice, and refining the standards for our adjudication process. With attendees running from novices to veteran Talent Bank members, all with a wide range of perspectives and experiences, the group enjoyed a full day of valuable discussion.

Anne’s focused agenda, along with her cookies and Bruce’s bottomless coffee pot, facilitated a warm and lively exchange throughout the day. We readily came to agreement around the standards for our adjudication work. We are keen to ensure that our shared practice throughout the province meets the needs of our community groups. At the same time, we hope to deliver feedback, facilitate dialogue, and offer ongoing education around all aspects of production with consistency and clarity.

Participants at the annual Symposium always represent a rich variety of experiences. Since the practice our craft is a solitary pursuit throughout the season, It’s important to have the chance to talk over some of the questions that confront us in our work.

This year, for example, we once again enjoyed a lively debate around copyright concerns. We broke free of our often circular discussion about the confusion around SOCAN, Re:Sound, and the obligation of artists and producers to secure rights, and if required, pay royalties for the use of music within a production. We’d been down this road before.

Caroline Smith pointed out the concept of “Grand Rights” to us all, and explained that securing them can be a process both lengthy and costly. Lindsay Price suggested that we might all consider looking at music that is openly shared under new Creative Commons licence. As I had doggedly spent hours telephoning and faxing rights holders over the years to secure permissions, I found these suggestions intriguing! That sent me off in search of some answers to the inevitable questions I had after the meeting. Let me share with you these websites! I found some VERY useful information:

• http://creativecommons.ca/faqs/artwork-licensee-faq
• http://www.socan.ca/licensees/faq-licensing (regarding Grand Rights for theatre performance)
• http://www.resound.ca/en/resources/faq.htm (for live performance, such as Ice Shows and Conventions, but not theatre)

Several of us chimed into the discussion with the reminder that groups can seek out  composers and commission original music. That had long been my practice in Perth, Ontario. Working with the fabulous composer and teacher Jack Hurd ( shout out to Jack in Perth!), I was able to involve many more artists in the productions - inspiring us all in the process, and heightening the theatrical experience for our audiences.

You have to believe that the Symposium is well loved by the Adjudicators. If it didn’t offer such worthwhile professional development, the Theatre Ontario office wouldn’t be so popular a Saturday destination once every Fall.

Find out more about Theatre Ontario's Adjudicator Symposium

The 2013 Adjudicators Symposium

Training a New Generation of Adjudicators

By Anne Mooney, Community Theatre Coordinator

The community theatre adjudication season has begun.  Adjudicators are travelling the province choosing the productions which will ultimately represent their regions at the Theatre Ontario Festival 2014, to be held in Sarnia from May 14 to 18.

This year, you might want to add to your theatrical experience by attending a trial adjudication.  For the third time in recent years, Theatre Ontario held the Introduction to Adjudication course for people interested in the art of adjudication.  While not everyone “graduates” or choose to pursue adjudication further, seven new adjudicators applied and were accepted to the Theatre Ontario Talent Bank after the first two courses.  The most recent course took place last year at the Western Ontario Drama League Festival in Guelph, and was five days of intensive study and practice with the highly respected adjudicator, Ron Cameron-Lewis.

As part of their training, each “trial adjudicator” has the chance to work with a community theatre company and present a public and detailed adjudication after one of the theatre’s regular performances.  The trial adjudicator benefits from the practice and from the input of an adjudicator mentor and the theatre company.  The company benefits from the chance to get feedback from an adjudicator and the audience benefits from hearing more about the production they just viewed.  Boards of the regional theatre groups, and in particular Adjudication Chairs, are invited to attend to get the chance to see these potential adjudicators in action.

There are nine participants who are in the process of having trial adjudications.  Several adjudications have been completed: Heiner Piller adjudicated a performance of The Odd Couple—Female Version produced by Mississauga Players in June, and Rita Huschka worked with the cast and crew of Theatre Woodstock’s production of Arsenic and Old Lace.  Thank you to all the groups who have opened their productions to the trial adjudication process.

Deanna Clatworthy adjudicated 1-900-DEE-LITE at Aylmer Community Theatre.  “Having Deanna provide a trial adjudication was an absolute pleasure,” said Sandy Loponen, the first-time director of 1-900-DEE-LITE.  “The cast and crew gained an objective, third-party assessment of the show from someone who had really done their homework.  Deanna keenly observed the production, and came well-prepared with questions regarding characters and the production’s design.  In turn, we felt that we were able to give Deanna some practice at providing an adjudication to improve her process.  By providing this experience, we are supporting Theatre Ontario’s ability to train professionals who will encourage community theatre groups to continue to meet high standards in production value.”

Sandy Macdonald and Deanna Clatworthy meet
following her trial adjudication.

Sandy Macdonald served as the mentor at Aylmer Community Theatre.  “Increasing the number of adjudicators will be of great benefit to regions and groups,” Sandy said.  “The trial adjudication program is an excellent way to facilitate increasing the numbers.  I am pleased to be part of the process.”

I am working with other Theatre Ontario community theatre members to provide more trial adjuducations.  If your group is interested in having a trial adjudication please contact me at anne@theatreontario.org

Tentative adjudications are set for Colin Legge at Elmira Theatre Company on November 28 for Having Hope at Home and for Carey Nicholson at Northumberland Players in Cobourg on December 7 for It’s a Wonderful Life.  I hope to see you there!

Introduction to Adjudication returns in 2013

In response to feedback from our membership, Theatre Ontario has been working over the past three years to improve the quality of adjudication in the province.  We have been creating professional development opportunities for established adjudicators, improving the calibre of trial adjudications, and exploring methods for gathering feedback from participants and engagers.

We’ve also been training new adjudicators and providing opportunities to practice adjudication skills and to network with experienced mentors.  We are pleased to announce our third annual Introduction to Adjudication course, running Tuesday, March 12 to Saturday, March 16, 2013 in Guelph, during the Western Ontario Drama League Festival.  Under the instruction of Ron Cameron-Lewis, 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 during Fall 2013/Spring 2014 to hone their skills at a practice adjudication at a community theatre in their region.  Over the past two years, many community theatres across the province have demonstrated their commitment to education by participating in these practice sessions, while many established adjudicators have generously given their time and shared their talent by mentoring a new generation of “graduates” from the classes of 2010 and 2011.

As one past course participant shared, “I love the mix of theory, personal experience and practical application.  The course gave a clear indication of what adjudication is, and whether or not it’s something I want to pursue.”

Read more about the Introduction to Adjudication Course or submit your application on the Theatre Ontario website

Bringing adjudicators together at our Adjudicators Symposium

In 2009, in response to feedback from the membership, Theatre Ontario set out to improve the quality of adjudication in the province.  This has focused in a number of areas such as training new adjudicators, improving trial adjudications, and exploring methods for gathering feedback.

We’ve also been creating professional development opportunities for existing adjudicators through our annual Adjudicators Symposium.  We are pleased to announce our annual Theatre Ontario Adjudicators Symposium will be held on September 29 at 9:30am.  The Symposium is a professional development opportunity for established adjudicators, allowing them to compare techniques and practices, discuss their training needs, and network.

Read more about Theatre Ontario’s Adjudicators Symposium on the Theatre Ontario website

Save the date for our next Adjudicators Symposium

Theatre Ontario’s 2nd Annual Adjudicators Symposium has been scheduled for October 1, 2011.

We have an exciting day planned.  We are setting up a panel with members of the regional community theatre associations to discuss expectations, feedback, hiring practices, and the strengths and weaknesses of the current system.  We will have sessions on professional development topics identified by the participants themselves.  We are also planning a “speed dating” session to connect adjudicator trainees with established adjudicators.

Dennis Johnson, our Community Theatre Coordinator, will be sending out invitations to our active adjudicators and trainees will full details.  Visit the Theatre Ontario website for more information.

Join Us at Theatre Ontario Festival 2011

On May 18 to 22, the 2011 Theatre Ontario Festival travels to Richmond Hill.  Are we going to see you there?

The annual Theatre Ontario Festival is a showcase of outstanding community theatre productions chosen from regional festivals across the province.  The Festival brings together theatre lovers from all over Ontario, and is an excellent learning experience, with adjudications, workshops, networking, and play readings by Canadian writers.  It's also a celebration of community theatre: awards recognizing outstanding achievements, and lots of parties!

The networking starts with the Festival organization itself.  The Festival is a partnership between Theatre Ontario, the local regional association (ACT-CO, the Association of Community Theatres—Central Ontario), and the host group.  This year’s host company is The Curtain Club, a community theatre with over 55 years of history presenting outstanding theatre in the Town of Richmond Hill.

This year’s line-up of productions features the musical comedy Suds by Steve Gundersen, Bryan Scott & Melinda Gilb, the classic Canadian comedy Balconville by David Fennario, the new Canadian triumph Trying by Joanna McClelland Glass, and the 20th century masterpiece Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee.  These four outstanding productions from Whitby, Espanola, Kingston, and Windsor take the stage at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.  Tickets are available at 905.787.8811.

At the opening reception on Wednesday night at The Curtain Club, we will be launching Grassroots: Original Plays From Ontario Community Theatres, our partnership with Playwrights Canada Press to publish a collection of full-length scripts that premiered on our province’s community theatre stages.  After each performance, we’ll be returning to The Curtain Club for the Green Room receptions.

Beginning Thursday morning through to Sunday, there will be a detailed adjudication of the previous night’s performance at 10am.  Our adjudicator is Jane Carnwath; previously she adjudicated our 2005 Festival in Belleville.  Thursday afternoon features her Adjudicator’s Workshop: “Directing: Working With Actors” at 2pm; and on Friday afternoon, playwright Emil Sher will be our Playwright-in-Person, reading from his work, also at 2pm.  Saturday afternoon at 11:30am, Theatre Ontario will hold its AGM.  All of these events are at The Curtain Club.

On Thursday and Saturday afternoon, heritage buffs can take advantage of tours of the historic parts of Richmond Hill, a Town whose roots date back to the 18th century.

On Sunday morning at noon, we will be recognizing outstanding achievements from the productions at the Festival awards brunch.  We will also be presenting the 2011 Maggie Bassett Award to Diana Belshaw.  Doors open at 11:30am.  Our Festival awards live-blog in 2010 was a big hit…stay-tuned for news about our plans for 2011.

And while Jane adjudicates this year's productions, a new generation of adjudicators will be taking part in our Introduction to Adjudication course lead by Ron Cameron-Lewis.

All of your Festival 2011 event information can be found at the Official Festival website www.tofestival2011.ca.  We look forward to seeing you in Richmond Hill!

On The Art Of Adjudication

by Dennis Johnson, Community Theatre Coordinator

Adjudicators are like painters. Each has a unique style.  Some adjudicators are avant-garde. Some have a classic style.  As I travel around to Ontario’s community theatre festivals this month, I am struck not by the adjudications, but by the reaction of the organizers and performers. They have bought a painting without always knowing the style of the painter, and this requires them to adjust and question their concept and expectations of adjudication.