Stories from the Summer Theatre Intensive: “A Week at Theatre Ontario” and Advanced Directing with John P. Kelly

By Valerie Bogan (Ottawa, Ontario)

As I walked into the classroom at Trent University on a hot August morning, John P. Kelly sat casually with a twinkle in his eye. He was waiting for his five eager students to arrive to begin his Advanced Directing Course. John had given us a list of playwrights to study and we arrived with paper in hand ready to start the day.

“Arrogance,” was the first thing he said. “To be a good director, you must have a certain degree of arrogance.” Then a wide smile spread across his face and I realized he was serious. Yikes! And so began one of the greatest learning experiences of my theatre career.

The 2016 Advanced Directing class

The students in the course all varied in experience. From Sergio and Carey with their large bodies of work in both musical and straight theatre, Bodene (our secretary and number one note taker) with a fair number of plays under her belt and readying herself for her next big production, and Mary Lynn a teacher preparing for, I believe, her first directing job outside of her yearly high school students, but with a whole bunch of stage management experience. I brought 28 years of experience in all aspects of theatre including directing three plays. We shared so many of our experiences and it was absolutely wonderful to be with this group of folks who all spoke the same language.

During our week we learned that although arrogance is an asset, there are many more qualities needed to be a good—or even great—director. I admit that I had at least one day where I thought to myself “I do not belong here.” John was quick to quiet that little crisis of self-confidence. We all very much belonged there and he proved it to us by the end of the week.

The course consisted of analysing scripts, working on pace, style and realism, creating effective acting spaces, interacting with actors, designers and directing staff, and so much more. We covered pretty much every genre of play possible. Having admitted to John that I was not a huge fan of farce, he assured me that by the end of the week I would be converted. I am!

"100 most important" plays ever written exercise

John is a very clever man who has read and directed a great number of plays. On the first day, he spoke often about putting together a list of the “100 most important” plays ever written. And so, the challenge began. These were not necessarily plays that we liked, had actually directed or had large commercial success. They were plays that over time had become important not only on stage but in literary circles. The plays, ranging from 405 BC to 2010, are a collection of classics from authors such as Aristophanes, Shakespeare, Wilde, Coward, Shaw, Miller, Beckett, Healey, Pinter, Mamet, Stoppard and many more.

In the evenings students from all four courses would gather in the common area on an empty floor (you can imagine the racket a bunch of theatre people can make) and talked theatre over a well-deserved libation. We were all pretty excited to share the insights from the day. Many folks knew each other, having either worked together on community projects or having met at previous courses. The out-of-classroom learning was often just as valuable. 

Birthday boy Mark Crawford reading at the Summer Courses

Another really exciting event was when guest playwright Mark Crawford came to read from his latest play, The Birds and the Bees which premiered at the Blyth Festival in June 2016. He also read from his two other plays, Stag and Doe and Bed and Breakfast. Mark is an extremely personable and massively funny man whose plays appeal to all. Despite it being his birthday (thanks for the birthday cake Rachel Kennedy), he stuck around answering questions and sharing his writing experiences with us. 

Our time in Peterborough was made complete with the wonderful programming offered by the staff of Theatre Ontario and Trent University. Our rooms were comfortable and clean, the food kept us fueled for the day, and people were very welcoming. Our dear Rachel Kennedy even spent time with us in class subbing in as an actor as we stumbled through scene work—a real trooper that one!

Theatre Ontario is a great place to learn, both from amazing course conductors and from each other. I wouldn’t change a thing, and look forward to another wonderful week to come!

Related Reading:

• Part One: Anne Evanoff on "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Acting... and then some!" with Tom Diamond
• Part Two: Ironda Campbell on “Directions on Directing” with Andrew Lamb
• Part Three: Sean Puckett’s "How I Spent My Summer Vacation, or, 'Drop! And give me twenty (lines)!'" -- “Hot Scenes: Building Your Acting Technique” with Brenda Kamino
• Learn more about Theatre Ontario's annual Summer Theatre Intensive

Stories from the Summer Theatre Intensive: "How I Spent My Summer Vacation, or, 'Drop! And give me twenty (lines)!'"

I'm Sean, a middle-aged community theatre actor/director/playwright from Kitchener, Ontario. This summer, like last summer, I spent a week in Theatre Ontario's Summer Workshop Intensive program. You could also call it theatre boot camp.

Last year I took Andrew Lamb's "Directions on Directing"—a brilliant course that filled my head with much knowledge useful not only as a director but on-stage as an actor. 

This year, I chose to focus on my acting skills and signed up for Brenda Kamino's "Hot Scenes." I had no idea what I was getting into.

Not exactly true. I knew I'd be in for five days of almost constant intense focus not only in class, but in collaboration with my peers. Classmates, all of whom were people like me, taking a week out of their regular lives in dedication to improving their theatre craft.

But what would my class be like? I was told to prepare a new monologue for presentation. And to have read Death of a Salesman so we could discuss it in class. And that we would be assigned scenes to work on based on our needs and desires as actors.

The first day we did some warm-ups then delivered our monologues. I don't know if I've ever seen a more intent observer in Brenda Kamino. Not so much pinning one to the wall as being very aware of everything one is doing. After a brief bit of feedback we were sent off to lunch and told upon our return we'd be assigned specific scenes and partners that would expose and exercise our acting gaps.

When we came back, we got our assignments; several pages each of our doom. For when one is weak in an area, one must exercise that area, right where one is weak. 

My scene had me playing completely against type, in situations I would never choose, expressing emotions I found personally revolting. But I am an actor, yes? I should be able to act! 

I can do this thing, this is why I am here, to grow and learn, to become better at my craft, though it will eventually lead me to weep on stage, to shout violently, to profess undying love, to forgive, and to beg forgiveness.

And not just me. Each of us, receiving scenes and characters that challenged us, made us fight our habits, forced us to examine and confront our own personal truths within the characters we became.

And then Brenda asked us to perform. And then she said, "you can do better." And when we didn't know how, she showed us how. By observing so carefully, she saw what was missing, and by working with us in minute detail, she gave us the tools to become better.

It was emotionally exhausting. And astonishingly rewarding. In a week I learned new techniques to not just be a better actor myself, but how to be a better actor for my fellow actors on stage. To be more open to them, and to respond to their own openness. To make  it real for ourselves, and for the audience.

That's what I did on my summer vacation. Maybe you want to do it too?

--Sean Puckett (Kitchener, ON)

Related Reading:

• Part One: Anne Evanoff on "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Acting... and then some!" with Tom Diamond
• Part Two: Ironda Campbell on “Directions on Directing” with Andrew Lamb
• Learn more about Theatre Ontario's annual Summer Theatre Intensive

Stories from the Summer Theatre Intensive: “Directions on Directing” with Andrew Lamb

By Ironda Campbell (Morgantown, West Virginia, USA)

My experience at Theatre Ontario’s Directions on Directing: From Page to Stage intensive was pretty awesome. As a new playwright, (for some time now) I have been in search of workshops, seminars, and/or intensives that will hone my skills and insight in all things ‘theatre’. I want to produce and direct my own plays. It’s a tall order, but procuring the necessary mentoring and coaching that can come from offerings like those presented by Theatre Ontario is a big head start.

My trek began with an internet search of theatre offerings in the form of workshops, seminars or intensives in North America…something I could engage in during summers, breaks or on weekends. What followed was a process by some entities that invited applications for their perusal, all followed by emails that announced that their classes were filled and feel free to apply again… Then I saw the Theatre Ontario website and course offerings. I was excited to see the description of the work that would be undertaken in the Directing intensive. I applied and held my breath, hoping that I wouldn’t receive another classes are filled; please feel free to apply again… response. What’d ya know? There was room in the session, and I was on my way!

At first I thought, this thing is in Canada…should I travel that far? I weighed the logistics of my trip against the training opportunity and gave it a nod. Mapquest and I drove from Morgantown, West Virginia to Peterborough, Ontario. I got lost just past downtown Toronto, but the people were friendly and helpful with directions.

Ironda and classmates 

I can assure you that the guided instructions and work that I received from Andrew Lamb was worth all my efforts. The design of the intensive allowed for everyone in the cohort to direct their own chosen pieces. Each cohort member also served as actors in another director’s piece. I loved the work, the instruction, and the camaraderie that came from collaborating with fellow directors. This was good stuff! 

In short, I would gladly do it all over again…and, probably not get lost this time. I look forward to connecting with other theatre mentoring workshops/classes/intensives offered by Theatre Ontario in the coming years. Thank you, my new friends!

Related Reading:

• Part One: "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Acting... and then some!" with Tom Diamond
• Learn more about Theatre Ontario's annual Summer Theatre Intensive

Stories from the Summer Theatre Intensive: “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Acting…and then some!” with Tom Diamond

by Anne Evanoff (Dundas, Ontario)

I was active in the Drama Club during my high school years in Timmins, Ontario and was passionate about acting—especially dramatic plays. For a long time, I lived out my desire to act through storytelling and hooking kids on 'great stories' that they could identify with and relate to in some personal way.

Recently, I retired from a long career in education that took me to many exotic places in the world and expanded my experience of the many different ways to be in the world. Retired and living in Florida for a few winter months, I found Actors' Studio and Improv Groups that whetted my appetite and by accident, I found myself playing the role of Blaze in The Fat Man Sacrifice directed by Dr. Peter Irwin. Needless to say, I was hooked once again.

 

Since returning home, I have been looking for resources and workshops in Ontario to hone my skills and grow my craft. I find it to be an exciting way to continue the learning and the growing. Enter Theatre Ontario!

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About
Acting... and then some! with Tom Diamond

It was a privilege for me to spend a whole week at Trent University in Peterborough learning from a master like Tom Diamond. Through improv exercises and team-building activities, he created a safe environment where I could step out of my comfort zone and hone my craft/toolbox as an actor. I valued his feedback and his ability to hone in on the areas that needed work. We also did partnered scene work where I was totally impressed and amazed by his ability to identify how to move us to an authentic place to fulfill a role. It is still difficult for me to grasp the depth to which he led us—a truly gifted director, a rare find and I am grateful to have spent the time with him at Trent!

Tom also helped to create "team spirit" in the group, where we could work in a way that was fun and playful! I feel like I now have another family in the acting community. This intensive far exceeded my expectations and I am thankful for the experience. Wow! Keep up the great work, Theatre Ontario!

Spaces Still Available at Our Summer Theatre Intensive

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Acting
at Theatre Ontario's Summer Theatre Intensive

We still have spaces available in four courses at this year’s Theatre Ontario Summer Theatre Intensive in Peterborough:

• For performers – Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Acting...and then some! with Tom Diamond
• For new directors – Directions on Directing: From Page to Stage, with Andrew Lamb
• For established directors – Whose text is it, anyway? Adventurous approaches to directing, with John P. Kelly
• For stage managers – PLACES PLEASE! Stage Management and the Creative Process from Pre-Production to End of Run with Maria Popoff

Your Summer Theatre Intensive course package includes…

• Buffet-style meals daily (including vegetarian fare)
• A single air-conditioned room in Trent’s Gzowski College Residence—just steps away from the banks of the Otonabee River
• A night of play readings and Q&A with Playwright-in-Person Mark Crawford
• The option to attend a performance of The Bad Luck Bank Robbers at 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook
• The opportunity to share your enthusiasm, experience, and passion for theatre, while meeting other like-minded, talented, and creative people

Our Theatre Ontario Summer Theatre Intensive runs August 7 to 13 in Peterborough.  Registrations must be in by July 22.

Learn more about Theatre Ontario's Summer Theatre Intensive

Related Reading

• Stories From Our Summer Theatre Intensive
• Watch and Listen: The Keys to Being a Successful Stage Manager with Maria Popoff

Welcome Mark Crawford as Playwright-in-Person at our Summer Theatre Intensive

Theatre Ontario is excited to announce that the Playwright-in-Person at our 2016 Summer Theatre Intensive will be Mark Crawford!  Mark is the author of Stag and Doe, Bed and Breakfast, The Birds and the Bees and the upcoming Boys, Girls, and Other Mythological Creatures.

Playwright in Person with Mark Crawford
Wednesday August 10th, 2016 (new date)
7:30pm
Trent University, Peterborough
FREE

Learn more about Mark Crawford and RSVP for this event

Playwright-in-Person is made possible by a grant from the Playwrights Guild of Canada, funded by the Canada Council.

Watch and Listen: The Key to Being a Successful Stage Manager with Maria Popoff

This year's Summer Theatre Intensive features a unique stage management course with Maria Popoff: "Places Please! Stage Management and the Creative Process from Pre-Production to End of Run." Gloria Mok recently attended a course with Maria at Alumnae Theatre, and shared some reflections on learning with her.

Gloria Mok

by Gloria Mok

Being in the presence of Maria Popoff is being in the presence of Canadian Stage Management royalty. When Maria walks into a room with her red-rimmed glasses, short curly grey hair, and warm smile, she exudes an energy that makes you instantly want to be her friend. With nearly thirty years of experience, Maria has orchestrated countless productions for stage and film. Her honesty, generosity, and charming sense of humour make her the perfect mentor for new stage managers.

Maria’s stage management debut was with the original cast and crew of Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) by Ann-Marie MacDonald. A play taught in almost every Canadian Theatre class, Goodnight Desdemona marks a pivotal turning point that changed Maria’s career path. Before entering the world of theatre, Maria worked tirelessly as a social worker. A self-proclaimed people-person, Maria’s key transferable skill was knowing how to successfully navigate relationships. After the success of the Goodnight Desdemona national tour, more gigs lines up, so Maria eventually decided to pursue stage management full time.

From spending just over an hour with the seasoned veteran at Alumnae Theatre’s Stage Management workshop, here are a few things I learned about what a Stage Manager is and should be:

1. You should always be ahead of the game: Your work begins before the first day of rehearsals. You should read the play, twice. The first read-through is to understand the world of the play, and the second is to make note of all the technical needs of the show (lights, sound, media, set, props, costume, etc.). You should also make sure you are fully equipped for whatever might come up! Gear up with flashlights, water, fresh pencils, tissues, bandaids, and anything else you feel will make rehearsals run as smoothly as possible.
2. You are the surrogate Director: You should be helping maintain the director’s vision. This begins with a conversation, to establish a relationship and go over expectations to ensure a successful outcome. In Maria’s words: “The best time to have a prenup is when you’re still in love.”
3. You are a relationship-builder: Communication is key. You are responsible for navigating multiple lines of communication, an intricate web of artistic relationships. You must learn to walk the line between the needs of the director, the needs of the cast, and needs of the design team.
4. You are a barometer and time-keeper: Learn to read the room and ask the right questions. Once the show opens, you are responsible for orchestrating all the technical aspects of the show to ensure the integrity of the director’s vision. Much like a conductor for a piece of music, you have full control, calling the entrances and exits of every single cue. But if you miss one, don’t get hung up. Move on, and ready yourself for the next one.

If you ask Maria, the single most important thing a stage manager should do is:

• Watch and Listen: The power of observation is what will make you one of the most invaluable members of the team, so take lots of notes. If there’s a question about the show, you should know the answer. 

If you’re wondering if you should take a stage management workshop with Maria, the answer is yes. If you have a question about stage management, the answer is Maria. There are so many things you will learn from her. All you have to do is watch and listen.

Join us at our Summer Theatre Intensive Course with Maria Popoff: Places Please! Stage Management and the Creative Process from Pre-Production to the End of Run, August 7 to 13 in Peterborough

Twitter: @gloriamok

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A Unique Learning Adventure at Theatre Ontario’s Summer Theatre Intensive

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

At Theatre Ontario’s Summer Theatre Intensive you can live your passion for theatre in an immersive adventure where you can enrich your skills, flex your creative muscles, and meet friends old and new.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Acting

One of our most popular courses is “Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Acting” with Tom Diamond. The course is popular for experience actors who want to get “back to the basics”, but last year, self-described “novice” Gregory Carruthers found his professional responsibilities lightening, finding himself drawn back to acting and in search of good instruction and coaching.

Meanwhile, our “Hot Scenes” scene study course with Brenda Kamino helps you build your acting technique with monologues and scenes and from Canadian and world theatre.

For directors, we’re bringing back “Directions on Directing” with Andrew Lamb. This course is specifically designed for beginner or intermediate directors looking for practical tools to use throughout their directing process. Jo-Anne Pulfer took that course last year, as she wanted to gain further insight into what was expected of a director (in case she got a chance in the future to direct), and to also further her appreciation of directors as an actress. Joseph  Van Veen took our introduction to directing course in 2014, it gave him the confidence to try directing a play for the first time.

Directions on Directing

This year’s advanced directing course is being taught by John P. Kelly. My own first Summer Theatre Intensive course was many years ago with John P., a life-changing experience of trying on dream roles, and exploring characterization and space.

For students interested in backstage training, this year we have a new course with Maria Popoff "Places Please! Stage Management And The Creative Process From Pre-Production To End Of Run."

For many people, it’s the camaraderie with kindred spirits that brings them to Summer Theatre Intensive. Zara Jestadt, our Education Assistant in 2014, was struck by the enduring sense of community that she saw at our summer courses. For Murray Tilson of Timmins, our Summer Theatre Intensive is “the best way I can think of spending a week of my vacation.”

And as the tweeters will tell you (as we’ve seen in past years’ Summer Theatre Intensive on Storify), the dedication and focus of participants can be winding for students and instructors alike. 

Join us at our Theatre Ontario Summer Theatre Intensive

The community coming together at the Theatre Ontario Summer Theatre Intensive

Join Us at Our Summer Theatre Intensive

Directors giving their presentations at "Directions on Directing"

Theatre Ontario is offering six exciting courses at this year’s Summer Theatre Intensive, running August 7 to 13 in Peterborough at Trent University. Live your passion for theatre and treat yourself to a unique learning adventure!

• Immerse yourself
• Enrich your skills
• Flex your creative muscles
• Meet friends old and new

“Upon completion of the course I now have a better understanding of all that is expected of a director, and what to expect from various cast and crew members” - Jo-Anne Pulfer

“I am deeply grateful and privileged to have benefitted from Tom's practical skill, talent and insightful experience. If you have a desire to learn everything you always wanted to know about acting, I cannot imagine you could find a better course” – Gregory Carruthers

“I had fantastic conversations each day with other participants, and it is truly reassuring to learn that I am not alone in my experiences or in my quest for self-improvement” – Kate O’Hearn  

For 2016, we are offering the following courses:

For performers

• Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Acting...and then some! with Tom Diamond
• Hot Scenes: Building Your Acting Technique, with Brenda Kamino

For directors

• Directions on Directing: From Page to Stage, with Andrew Lamb
• Whose text is it, anyway? Adventurous approaches to directing, with John P. Kelly

For stage managers

• PLACES PLEASE! Stage Management and the Creative Process from Pre-Production to End of Run with Maria Popoff

For opera singers

• Opera as Theatre with Allison Grant (offered in partnership with the International Resource Centre for Performing Artists)

Your Summer Theatre Intensive course package includes buffet-style meals daily (including vegetarian fare), a single air-conditioned room in Trent’s Gzowski College Residence—just steps away from the banks of the Otonabee River, the option to attend a performance at 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook, and the opportunity to share your enthusiasm, experience, and passion for theatre, while meeting other like-minded, talented, and creative people.

Learn more about Theatre Ontario’s Summer Theatre Intensive

Related Reading

• Stories from Theatre Ontario Summer Theatre Intensive 2015

Save the Date for our Summer Theatre Intensive

Are you an actor, director, or designer craving an opportunity to immerse yourself in your craft? Look no further—our Summer Theatre Intensive is back and will take place August 7 to 13, 2016. Additional details about location and course content coming soon!

Theatre Ontario's Summer Theatre Intensive brings together theatre people from all over the province for a week-long rigorous educational experience. For nearly forty years, our courses have earned praise from drama teachers, theatre schools, community and professional theatres, agents, and actors getting started in the business.

Learn more about last year’s Summer Theatre Intensive