ONstage Openings for the week of September 23

ONstage Now Playing in South Central Ontario
Weekend Comedy at The Curtain Club (Richmond Hill)
Harrison Browne, Jordan Coulter,
Andrew Horbatuik, Anna Pelc-Draper

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In Southwestern Ontario

Sep. 24, Impact 19 at The MT Space (Waterloo)

Sep. 26, 13 The Musical at Guelph Little Theatre

Sep. 26, Problem Child / Criminal Genius at Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre

Sep. 27, Othello at University Players (Windsor)

In Toronto

Sep. 23, The 34th Annual Groundswell Festival at Nightwood Theatre

Sep. 27, A Streetcar Named Desire at Soulpepper Theatre [currently in previews]

Sep. 27, The Rocky Horror Show at Hart House Theatre

In Central Ontario

Sep. 26, Blithe Spirit at Northumberland Players (Cobourg) [updated]

ONstage Now Playing in Eastern Ontario
Same Time, Next Year at Upper Canada Playhouse (Morrisburg)
Viviana Zarrillo, Nigel Hamer

In Eastern Ontario

Sep. 26, On A First Name Basis at County Roads Theatre Company (Mount Tabor)

Sep. 27, Death by Design at Smiths Falls Community Theatre

Sep. 28, The New Canadian Curling Club at Thousand Islands Playhouse (Gananoque) [with a preview on Sep. 27]

In Northeastern Ontario

Sep. 26, Playing With Fire: The Theo Fleury Story at Sudbury Theatre Centre

In South Central Ontario

Sep. 26, The Drowsy Chaperone at Burl-Oak Theatre Group (Oakville)

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

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

ONstage Openings for the week of September 16

ONstage Now Playing in Northwestern Ontario
SHOUT! The Mod Musical at Magnus Theatre (Thunder Bay)

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In Southwestern Ontario

Sep. 20, Titanic: The Musical (High School Project) at The Grand Theatre (London) [with previews from Sep. 17]
Sep. 20, Renovations for Six at Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) [with previews from Sep. 18]
Sep. 20, A Red Plaid Shirt at London Community Players [with a preview on Sep. 19]
Sep. 20, Mamma Mia! at Theatre Sarnia

In Toronto

Sep. 20, The Heidi Chronicles at Alumnae Theatre Company
Sep. 21, A Streetcar Named Desire at Soulpepper Theatre [in previews]

ONstage Now Playing in Toronto
The Glass Menagerie at The Village Players, Bloor West
Claire MacMaster, Deena Baltman
Photo by John Ordean

In Central Ontario

Sep. 18, Dean and Jerry: What Might Have Been at Theatre Orangeville
Sep. 20, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks at Peterborough Theatre Guild
Sep. 20, Blithe Spirit at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)

In Eastern Ontario

Sep. 17, A Comedy of Tenors at Kanata Theatre (Ottawa)
Sep. 18, The Ladies Foursome at Ottawa Little Theatre
Sep. 19, Ed's Garage at Studio Theatre Perth

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

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

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Upcoming opportunities from Theatre Ontario, from our members, and from other arts service organizations.

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

In order to expand access from around the province, we’re excited to announce that we are offering our workshops series via webconferencing as well as in-person at our Toronto office.

• What does an agent do and why should you have one? Join us at our “Ask an Agent” workshop with Tovah Small on September 18 at 3pm.

Check out all of our upcoming Career Stream workshops.

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Deadline for applications for the Ontario Arts Council’s “Indigenous Artists in Communities and Schools Projects” grants is August 29.
• Deadline for nominations for Native Women in the Arts’ Barbara Laronde Award for an emerging Indigenous woman (trans, cis, two-spirit, non-binary, or genderqueer) artist living in Northern Ontario is August 30.
• Deadlines for applications for the Shannon Reynolds Memorial Endowment Fund Internship at GCTC in Ottawa for a Technical Production Internship is September 6.

New on The Bulletin Board

• The inaugural Strombergs Family Realization Fund disseminated through Nightwood Theatre invites applications for a $10,000 cash award to support a woman with at least 20 years in professional theatre seeking to finance a project of passion.
• Off The Wall Stratford Artists Alliance has announced their Fall programming of adult continuing education in backstage production skills in Stratford.

Check out these items, and other postings from our members.

• Grants
• Calls for Submission and Nominations
• Workshops at Ontario Theatres and Other Arts Service Organizations
• Adult Continuing Education and Training Studio Programs
• Youth Training Programs
• Volunteer and Non-Paying Positions
• Community Events and Conferences

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions, Job Postings and Discount Ticket Offers on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Upcoming opportunities from Theatre Ontario, from our members, and from other arts service organizations.

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

Theatre Ontario's Voice Over workshop

• Want to know the secrets to a successful voice acting career? Join us at our “Voice Over” workshop with Elley-Ray on May 25 in Toronto.
• Preparing an OAC application? Get the inside scoop! Join us at our free “Grant Writing Information Session” pre-recorded webinar available on May 27.
• Develop your blueprint for a career in acting—Join us for an honest discussion about the business of acting at our “Success in Show Business” workshop with Andre Newell on June 3 in Toronto.
• Get your promo on the screens of the right people (...using as little money as possible)—Join us at our “Social Media for Producers” workshop with Jenna Warriner on June 10 in Toronto.
• Our Summer Theatre Intensive features courses for performers, creators, directors, and music directors, running August 4 to 9 in Kingston.

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

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Deadline for applications for the Toronto Arts Council’s Indigenous Arts and Culture Partnership Fund is May 24.
• Deadline for applications for Toronto Irish Players community theatre call for directors for their 19/20 season is May 26.
• Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario (CPAMO) is convening the arts community around a four-day event, The Gathering: Celebrating 10 years of showcasing, convening and supporting equity and pluralism in the Arts. The event continues next week from May 27 to 29.
• Shaw Festival’s Play by Play intensive theatre-going experience opens May 29 in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Check out these items, and other postings from our members.

• Grants
• Calls for Submission and Nominations
• Workshops at Ontario Theatres and Other Arts Service Organizations
• Adult Continuing Education and Training Studio Programs
• Youth Training Programs
• Volunteer and Non-Paying Positions
• Community Events and Conferences

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions, Job Postings and Discount Ticket Offers on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

ONstage Openings for the week of May 21

ONstage Now Playing in Eastern Ontario
A Comedy of Tenors at
Seaway Valley Theatre Company (Cornwall)

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In Northeastern Ontario

May 22, God and The Indian at Sault Theatre Workshop (Sault Ste. Marie)

In South Central Ontario

May 23, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. at Marquee Theatrical Productions (Newmarket)

In Southwestern Ontario

May 21, The Wildest Town in Canada: Donnelly Songs and Stories at Port Stanley Festival Theatre
May 22, The Glass Menagerie at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) [in previews]
May 23, Sexy Laundry at Lighthouse Festival Theatre (Port Dover) [with previews from May 22]
May 23, The Man Who Shot Chance Delaney at Guelph Little Theatre
May 24, Rope at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
May 24, Honk! at Theatre Woodstock
May 24, Will You Still Love Me in the Morning? at Century Church Theatre (Hillsburgh)
May 25, Brigadoon at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
May 25, Getting Married at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
May 25, Nathan the Wise at Stratford Festival [in previews]
May 26, The Horse and His Boy at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

ONstage Now Playing in Toronto
Lilies; Or, the Revival of a Romantic Drama
at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

In Toronto

May 24, August: Osage County at Soulpepper Theatre
May 24, The Memory of Water at East Side Players

In Central Ontario

May 21, Guys & Dolls at Port Hope Festival Theatre
May 24, The Drowning Girls at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

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

ONstage Openings for the week of May 13

ONstage Now Playing in Central Ontario
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
at Huronia Players (Midland)

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

Theatre Ontario Festival 2019 runs May 15 to May 19 in Richmond Hill.

In Eastern Ontario

May 14, Nunsense at Kanata Theatre (Ottawa)
May 18, Death by Design at Prince Edward Community Theatre (Milford)

In South Central Ontario

May 14, Thoroughly Modern Millie at Marquee Theatrical Productions (Newmarket)

In Southwestern Ontario

May 16, Glory at Drayton Entertainment: Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge
May 16, The Neverending Story at Stratford Festival [in previews]
May 16, The Revenge of Ramon Ramon at The MT Space (Kitchener-Waterloo)
May 18, Mother’s Daughter at Stratford Festival [in previews]

ONstage Now Playing in Toronto
Antigone:方 at Young People's Theatre
Members of the ensemble
Set and Costume Design by Christine Urquhart
Lighting Design by Rebecca Picherack
Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann.

In Toronto

May 16, To Kill a Mockingbird at Stage Centre Productions
May 18, August: Osage County at Soulpepper Theatre [in previews]

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

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

ONstage Openings for the week of April 23

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In South Central Ontario

Apr. 26, Monty Python's Spamalot at Studio PAVAS (Mississauga)

ONstage Now Playing in South Central Ontario
A Bad Year for Tomatoes at Theatre Burlington
Matt Dafoe, Kristen Hickman

In Southwestern Ontario

Apr. 25, Getting Sara Married at St. Marys Community Players
Apr. 26, Mamma Mia! at The Grand Theatre (London) [with previews from Apr. 23]
Apr. 26, The Miracle Worker at Drayton Entertainment: St. Jacobs Country Playhouse [with previews from Apr. 24]
Apr. 26, Freaky Friday at Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) [with previews from Apr. 24]
Apr. 26, Buying the Moose at Grey Wellington Theatre Guild (Harriston)
Apr. 26, The Ladies Foursome at Elmira Theatre Company

In Toronto

Apr. 24, The Things I Carry at Theatre Passe Muraille [with a preview on Apr. 23]
Apr. 25, Out at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre [with a preview on Apr. 24]
Apr. 26, Next to Normal at The Musical Stage Company
Apr. 26, Unnecessary Farce at The Bloor West Village Players

In Central Ontario

Apr. 25, The Music Man at VOS Theatre (Cobourg)
Apr. 26, A Fox on the Fairway at Northumberland Players (Cobourg)

ONstage Now Playing in Toronto
Impressionism at Alumnae Theatre Company
Liz Pounsett, Ted Powers
Photo by Bruce Peters

In Eastern Ontario

Apr. 23, Bedtime Stories at Rural Root Theatre Company (Constance Bay)
Apr. 24, A Murder Is Announced at Ottawa Little Theatre
Apr. 25, An Ideal Husband at Domino Theatre (Kingston)
Apr. 26, The Pigeon King at National Arts Centre—English Theatre (Ottawa) [with previews from Apr. 24]
Apr. 26, The Faery's Kiss at Smiths Falls Community Theatre

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

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

ONstage Openings for the week of April 15

ONstage Now Playing in Northeastern Ontario
The Birds and The Bees by Mark Crawford at Sudbury Theatre Centre
William Vickers, Karen Wood, Julia Dyan and Wilex Ly
Directed by John McHenry, Set Design: Samantha Burson
Costume Design: Miranda DiFlorio, Lighting Design: Gavin McDonald
Sound Design: Drew Saunders
Photo by Westmount Photography

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages (a quiet week with the Easter long weekend)

In South Central Ontario

Apr. 17, Chicago (High School Edition) at Marquee Theatrical Productions (Newmarket)

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

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

ONstage Openings for the week of April 8

ONstage Now Playing in Central Ontario
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
at Owen Sound Little Theatre

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In Northeastern Ontario

Apr. 11, The Birds and The Bees at Sudbury Theatre Centre

In South Central Ontario

Apr. 10, Shrek the Musical at Burl-Oak Theatre Group (Oakville)
Apr. 11, Murder in the First at Whitby Courthouse Theatre
Apr. 12, A Bad Year for Tomatoes at Theatre Burlington

In Southwestern Ontario

Apr. 11, Cabaret at The Grand Theatre (London) [with previews from Apr. 9]
Apr. 12, Rope at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) [in previews]

ONstage Now Playing in Toronto
A Blow in the Face at Nightwood Theatre
Jordan Pettle and Tess Degenstein
Set and Costume Design by Monica Dottor
Cloud Construction by Taylor Young
Lighting Design by Oz Weaver
Photo by Dahlia Katz

In Toronto

Apr. 9, The Chemical Valley Project at Theatre Passe Muraille [currently in previews]
Apr. 9, The Picture of Dorian Gray at George Brown Theatre School
Apr. 10, Monsieur d'Eon is a Woman at George Brown Theatre School
Apr. 12, Copenhagen at Soulpepper Theatre [currently in previews]
Apr. 12, Impressionism at Alumnae Theatre Company

In Eastern Ontario

Apr. 13, Ghost Light at Tweed and Company

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

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

ONstage Openings for the week of March 25

ONstage Now Playing in South Central Ontario
Tomcat at Durham Shoestring Performers (Oshawa)

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In Central Ontario

Mar. 28, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Owen Sound Little Theatre
Mar. 29, Off The Grid at Theatre Orangeville [with a preview on Mar. 28]

In Eastern Ontario

Mar. 26, A Man for All Seasons at Kanata Theatre (Ottawa)

In South Central Ontario

Mar. 28, Footloose at Oshawa Little Theatre
Mar. 29, Mending Fences at The Curtain Club (Richmond Hill) [with a preview on Mar. 28]

In Southwestern Ontario

Mar. 27, Looking at Theatre Sarnia
Mar. 29, 1949 at London Community Players [with a preview on Mar. 28]

ONstage Now Playing in Eastern Ontario
Behaviour at Great Canadian Theatre Company
Pierre Antoine Lafon Simard, Sarah Kitz, Zoë Sweet
Photo by Andrew Alexander
Streaming on World Theatre Day - Visit behaviourplay.ca

In Toronto

Mar. 26, Orlando at Theatre @ York [currently in previews]
Mar. 27, The Balcony at Theatre @ York [with a preview on Mar. 25]
Mar. 28, Wedding at Aulis at Soulpepper Theatre [currently in previews]
Mar. 28, A Blow in The Face at Nightwood Theatre [with previews from Mar. 26]
Mar. 30, Shove It Down My Throat at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre [in previews]

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

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

Browsing Our Bulletin Board

Upcoming opportunities from Theatre Ontario, from our members, and from other arts service organizations.

Coming Up from Theatre Ontario

Theatre Ontario's Intimacy for the Stage workshop

• Preparing an OAC application? Get the inside scoop at our free “Grant Writing Information Session” pre-recorded webinar with Pat Bradley of the Ontario Arts Council, available on March 18.
• Learn about the background and impetus behind the Intimacy for the Stage initiative at our free “What Is Intimacy On Stage?” pre-recorded webinar with Siobhan Richardson of Intimacy Directors International, available on March 28.
• Learn the skills necessary to be a successful and sought-after reviewer, critic, blogger, and writer of theatre—Join us at our “Writing Theatre Reviews that Matter” workshop with Lynn Slotkin on April 3 at 3pm in Toronto.
• Learn the techniques and the language to stage human sexuality in a way that is professional, dynamic and focused on storytelling—Join us at our “Intimacy for the Stage for Performing Artists” workshop with Siobhan Richardson of Intimacy Directors International on April 13.

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

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Upcoming grant deadline from the Ontario Arts Council include Artists in Communities and Schools Projects (Mar. 14), Market Development Projects (Mar. 20), Multi and Inter-Arts Projects (Mar. 21), Skills and Career Development: Indigenous Arts Professionals and Arts Professionals of Colour (Mar. 21).
• Deadline for nominations for the Mallory Gilbert Award from the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres is March 18.

Check out these items, and other postings from our members.

• Grants
• Calls for Submission and Nominations
• Workshops at Ontario Theatres and Other Arts Service Organizations
• Adult Continuing Education and Training Studio Programs
• Youth Training Programs
• Volunteer and Non-Paying Positions
• Community Events and Conferences

Theatre Ontario individual members can also access Auditions, Job Postings and Discount Ticket Offers on our Theatre Ontario Individual Member Resources on our website

Save the Date for our Celebration of Theatre Online Auction

Theatre Ontario invites you to celebrate World Theatre Day with us between March 20th and March 27th by participating on our 5th Annual Online Auction. Continue your support, and in the process help us reach this year's goal in benefit of our Youth Advisory Committee (YAC).

Preview the auction items available on the Theatre Ontario website

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

ONstage Openings for the week of February 25

ONstage Now Playing in Toronto
Good Morning, Viet Mom at Cahoots Theatre
Photo by Dahlia Katz

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In South Central Ontario

Feb. 28, Kiss of the Spider Woman at Theatre Aurora

In Toronto

Mar. 1, Late Company at The Village Players, Bloor West Village

Mar. 1, Retreat at Hart House Theatre

Mar. 2, The 26 Letter Dance at Young People's Theatre [with school and group performances from Feb. 26]

In Eastern Ontario

Feb. 28, Prince Hamlet at National Arts Centre—English Theatre (Ottawa) [with a preview on Feb. 27]

Mar. 2, Making God Laugh at Prince Edward Community Theatre (Milford)

ONstage Now Playing in Toronto
The Land Grabber at Toronto Irish Players

In Northeastern Ontario

Feb. 27, Mending Fences at Sault Theatre Workshop (Sault Ste. Marie)

Mar. 1, Hamlet…ou presque at Thorneloe University (Sudbury)

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

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

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

Conversation Starters

Adam Paolazza. (Photo by Graham Isador from Intermission)

• Intermission’s latest “What I Wish I’d Known” by Graham Isador profiles Adam Paolozza—about to open Paolozzapedia at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto—sharing the advice he’d give the younger version of himself.
• Diane Ragsdale explores the value of “artistic leader discretionary funds” to support a new diverse generation of leaders.
• Scott Harman examines “consent, power, and trauma in the acting classroom” on HowlRound.

Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres

• The lineup for QUONTA Festival 2019 in Sault Ste. Marie – celebrating community theatre in northeastern Ontario – has been announced on the Festival’s Facebook page.

Migrations

• Andrea Donaldson is the new Artistic Director of Nightwood Theatre.
• Sara Meurling is stepping down as Executive Director of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT).

TO Toasts

• ... to long-time Theatre Ontario Talent Bank adjudicator and theatre instructor Ron Cameron-Lewis and his husband Lloyd – how their 50 years together was recognized by the Canadian government (as reported by Rachel Levy-McLaughlin in Xtra.)

In Case You Missed It

• ONstage Openings for the next two weeks in Ottawa, North Bay, Whitby, Markham, Aylmer, Tillsonburg, London, Fergus, Woodstock, Niagara, Toronto, Barrie, Midland, Orangeville, and Kincardine.
• Browsing Our Bulletin Board, including workshops, webinars, grant deadlines, calls for submission, community events, and more.

ONstage Openings for the weeks of February 4 and February 11

ONstage Now Playing in Eastern Ontario
The Mountaintop at GCTC (Ottawa)
Letitia Brookes, Tristan D. Lalla
Photo by Andrée Lanthier

This week’s openings on Ontario’s stages

In Eastern Ontario

Feb. 5, Silent Sky at Kanata Theatre (Ottawa)

Feb. 13, Of Mice and Men at Ottawa Little Theatre

Feb. 14, Cabaret at Suzart Productions (Ottawa)

In Northeastern Ontario

Feb. 13, Our Town at Gateway Theatre Guild (North Bay)

In South Central Ontario

Feb. 7, Two on the Aisle, Three in a Van at Whitby Courthouse Theatre

Feb. 13, The Mousetrap at Markham Little Theatre

In Southwestern Ontario

Feb. 7, Dating by the Book at Aylmer Community Theatre

Feb. 7, The Ladies Foursome at Theatre Tillsonburg

Feb. 8, Surrender, Dorothy at London Community Players [with a preview on Feb. 7]

Feb. 8, The Dining Room at Elora Community Theatre (Fergus)

Feb. 8, On Golden Pond at Theatre Woodstock

Feb. 9, Whole World from Carousel Players (Niagara Region) 

Feb. 13, Maggie and Pierre at The Grand Theatre (London) [with a preview on Feb. 12]

In Toronto

Feb. 6, Scott Shorts and Zelda at George Brown Theatre School

Feb. 7, You Never Can Tell at George Brown Theatre School

Feb. 8, Next to Normal at Scarborough Music Theatre [with a preview on Feb. 7]

Feb. 11, Hooking Up with The Second City
Feb. 12, 82nd Revue at The Second City [in previews]

Feb. 13, The 40th Rhubarb Festival at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

Feb. 14, The Land Grabber at Toronto Irish Players

ONstage Now Playing in Southwestern Ontario
Sister Cities at Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre

Feb. 16, We Are All Treaty People at Young People's Theatre [with school performances from Feb. 11]

Feb. 16, Good Morning, Viet Mom at Cahoots Theatre [in previews]

Feb. 16, Little Menace: Pinter Plays at Soulpepper Theatre [in previews]

Feb. 16, Paolozzapedia at Theatre Passe Muraille [in previews]

In Central Ontario

Feb. 7, Shrek the Musical at Kempenfelt Community Players (Barrie)

Feb. 8, Hilda's Yard at Huronia Players (Midland)

Feb. 15, Across the Pond: The British Invasion at Theatre Orangeville [with a preview on Feb. 14]

Feb. 15, Ethan Claymore at Kincardine Theatre Guild

ICYMI: Check out last week’s openings

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

Ontario Off Stage

by Brandon Moore, Community Theatre and Communications Manager

Conversation Starters

• In the new Intermission series “What I Wish I’d Known”, Graham Isador asks theatre artists what advice they’d give younger versions of themselves. The question is a jumping off point for larger conversations about the artist’s work. The first article featured Michael Healey and the question “If you could tell the theatre school version of yourself the success you’d go on to have in the industry how do you think they’d react?”

Behind the Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres

• Kempenfelt Community Players in Barrie announced their 19/20 season (FB post).
• Beginning in Winter 2020, The Musical Stage Company will take up residency for one production each year at the historic Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto.
• The cast of Owen Sound Little Theatre’s production of Shorthanded had the opportunity to perform the national anthem before an Ontario Hockey League game between the Owen Sound Attack and the Kitchener Rangers (FB video).
• The Professional Association of Canadian Theatre shared some tips for “Resolving Employee Conflict” for theatre managers.

Migrations

• Sherrie Johnson is the new Executive Director of Crow’s Theatre in Toronto.

TO Toasts

Calithumpian Theatre Company's production of Hir by Taylor Mac
Ingrid Blekys, Zoe Bernard, Rob Deman, Deighton Thomas
Photo by Jackie Noble

• ... to the winners of the Brickenden Awards, including London Community Players and Calithumpian Theatre. The awards honour independent and community theatre in London.

In Case You Missed It

• Stories from Next Generation Showcase: Andrew Pritchard of Canadore College describes his “weekend to remember.”
• ONstage Openings this week in Owen Sound, Belleville, Ottawa, Oshawa, Sarnia, Waterloo, Hamilton, London, Elmira, Burlington, and Toronto.
• Browsing Our Bulletin Board, including workshops, courses, grant deadlines, calls for submission, volunteer opportunities, and more.

Stories from Next Generation Showcase: A Weekend to Remember

by Andrew Pritchard (Canadore College)

Though we had been preparing our monologues well in advance with constant advice and coaching from our teachers, I sat in the car—in our convoy of 12 students all travelling from North Bay to Toronto for a weekend of monologues and high expectations—wondering just exactly what would happen. Though I myself and each individual student had their own image of what their performance in front of Toronto’s talent agents would look and feel like, the many weeks leading up to Theatre Ontario were finally over and the unexpected was upon us.

We finally arrived in Toronto after a little over four hours and were finally able to stretch out and get settled in. Our class had gotten to know a lot about each other in the year and a half we had spent honing our skills and learning new techniques in the great field of acting together, and Theatre Ontario Next Generation Showcase in Toronto was something that our teachers had been telling us about since day one. Each teacher would often regale us with a few tales from previous years and often say that it’s a fabulous time for a young actor to get out and show the wide world of talent just what we are capable of. Though we had practised our monologues and had everything (including the slightest gestures) down to a fine art, everything came down to two minutes of “us.”

We began our trip by loosening up and going out to dinner with our teachers, trying our best to cram in more practice for our big day. We awoke early in the morning in order to do our vocal warmups and our stretches—anything we could do to squeeze out every bit of potential we had within us in order to feel like champions. We studied the performance space, taking in the room of professionals who gazed back behind blinding lights, feeling like the studied life under a microscope. Though the experience of just feeling the performance space was stressful at first, all of the agents in the audience exuded a certain air of casual friendliness.

Finally, it was our turn. First up. All of our preparation had led to this moment. A fond memorization of the lines gave everyone in the class the ability to play with their characters and allowed us to unlock a certain finesse that lie previously unseen, a new talent untapped. It was a performance that was done individually, yet was a group success that allowed us all to get a taste of the real world through acting. And just like that, weeks of preparation and hard work was over in a little over a half of an hour.

The meet and greet was also a great time to meet industry professionals and get to know some new people from different acting schools across the country. Being complimented by professionals, who no doubt went through the same thing we had just experienced, was the real fruit of the labour. Knowing that someone with years of experience in the industry thought that our work was something special made all of the preparation worth it, and really ignited a growing passion for acting in all of us. Their insight into the professional world gave us all a great picture of what to expect and was a great learning experience.

Though all of us returned to our reality the very next morning, I believe we all, as a class, took a little piece of Toronto back home with us. It was a great look into the wild and wacky world that we all desire to be a part of. The experience left everyone with a fire in their belly that they will no doubt carry with them for a long time. It makes me excited to see where the future will take us in our potential careers. Whether it’s to make an audience laugh, cry, talk, or think, I believe we are all rest assured that everyone made a lasting impression and that everyone was able to bring a tiny two minute piece of “us” into the spotlight.

Related Reading

• Celebrating 25 Years of Showcasing Emerging Storytellers by Raeburn Ferguson
• Learn more about Theatre Ontario’s Next Generation Showcase 2019

Inviting Course Proposals for Summer Theatre Intensive 2019

Theatre Ontario's Summer Theatre Intensive

We are seeking proposals from theatre instructors for courses for our 2019 Summer Theatre Intensive.

The 2019 Summer Theatre Intensive program will be taking place from August 4 to 9 and will be held at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. These courses are targeted to participants ages 18 and up, 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 six 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.

The deadline for proposals is February 14.

Learn more about submitting course proposals for Theatre Ontario’s Summer Theatre Intensive

Theatre Ontario Celebrates 25 Years of Showcasing Emerging Storytellers

Theatre Ontario staff welcoming
the industry to Showcase

By Raeburn Ferguson, Professional Theatre and Education Manager

On January 13th and 14th, Theatre Ontario welcomed 300 students and 150 industry professionals to the Theatre Passe Muraille for our Next Generation Showcase. This was the 25th Showcase and we could not be more thrilled with the outcome. Between the incredible new talent on stage and the wisdom and expertise of the guests in the audience, we were blessed with two days that were full of one thing: passion for live performance and its creation.

Between Days One and Two, 19 schools in total had the chance to perform. We also welcomed seven “New Faces” that consisted of performers who were new to the area. Some were from out of province and several were new to the country, it was amazing to offer these talented performers a way to show off their talents and have their voices heard. Once the performances were done each day we went up to the Passe Muraille’s amazing cabaret space for our industry meet and greet. Our first meet and greet was sponsored by Sheridan TDS/UTM and the second night by Sheridan Musical Theatre. It was heartwarming to see connections being made and new friendships forming. A piece of advice heard consistently over the two days was to connect and make friends in the industry with your peers as they are the ones who are going to help you the most throughout your career. This advice is absolutely true and in these meet and greets you could see it being put to use. Both evenings also hosted panel discussions where the students could ask questions and gain insight into the casting world and how to navigate the industry. 

Next Generation Showcase Panel Day One

Our panels that were sponsored by Meridian Artists were moderated by Andre Newell, Theatre Ontario Board member, Agent (Carrier Talent) and Executive Producer of Monologue Slam Canada. Our “Business of Casting” panel on Day One consisted of Tovah Small (Agent, Meridian Artists), Jesse Griffiths (Casting Director, Jesse Griffiths Casting), Andrea Scott (Actor, Writer, Produce and Director), Matthew Willson (Actor, Director and Producer), Bryan Misner (Agent, The Characters) and Ron Leach (Casting Director, Producer and Director). Our Day Two panel on “The Blueprint of Business” hosted Brandon Antonio (Actor), Paul Beauchamp (General Manager and Producer, The Musical Stage Company), Evan Buliung (Actor), Rebecca Burton (Membership and Professional Contacts Manager, Playwrights Guild of Canada), Kevin Frank (Artistic Director, Second City Training Centre) and Amaka Umeh (Actor.) Both evenings were full of important questions and thoughtful answers. Watching various generations of theatre practitioners in one place learning from one another really distills what I believe this event is all about. 

This was my first Showcase and really my first big project as Professional Theatre and Education Manager and, like any show you work on, it seems so crazy that is it over in the blink of an eye. I could not be more thrilled with the way our 25th celebration turned out and want to thank all of the industry members and schools that joined us. This is truly a special event and one that is unique in nature. I look so forward to planning next year’s event…after some more coffee and rest. 

Related Reading

• Catch up on all of the tweets from Theatre Ontario’s Next Generation Showcase on Twitter Moments
• Learn more about Theatre Ontario’s Next Generation Showcase 2019
• Meet our Showcase 2019 Panelists

Thanks to our Showcase partners.