Theatre Ontario Schedules Next Self-Start Workshops For Producers

Are you interested in self-producing?  Theatre Ontario’s Self-Start workshop is for you.  If you want to do a show but have never produced professionally before, and if you want to know what questions to ask first, register for our next “Self-Start” workshop on April 4 at 2pm.

Self-Start is a practical seminar facilitated by Tim Chapman, our Professional Theatre Coordinator.  This workshop is designed for individuals thinking of producing a show or starting a theatre company, and gives you the opportunity to ask questions and try out ideas, discover the questions you need to ask and answer, learn to organize your thinking and planning, work on scheduling and budget considerations, and find out about available resources and services.

Self-Start has no registration fee for Theatre Ontario members, and is $30 for non-members.  There is a $5 charge per participant for photocopies of the materials distributed at the workshop.  For more information, including how to register, please visit Self-Start: The Basics Of Producing on the TheatreOntario website.

Deadline For The 2012 Maggie Bassett Award Approaching

Who do you think has made a sustained and significant contribution to the development of theatre in Ontario?  In recent years, leaders like Diana Belshaw, Don Fleckser, Alex Mustakas, Yvette Nolan and Kim Renders have been recognized by Theatre Ontario for their legacies in Ontario theatre.  Who should join that list in 2012?

We are now inviting nominations for Theatre Ontario’s 2012 Maggie Bassett Award, honouring such contributors for their unselfish involvement.  The award is named after Maggie Bassett, our first employee who helped launch programs like the Professional Theatre Training Program and the Summer Courses.

The nomination deadline is February 29, 2012.  Full award criteria, history, and nomination guidelines can be found on our website.  For more information, please contact Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator at Theatre Ontario, at brandon@theatreontario.org or 416.408.4556 x.15.

ONstage Openings for the week of February 13

In Toronto
Feb. 13, High Life at Soulpepper Theatre in previews
Feb. 13, Toronto Secrets at Bad Dog Theatre Company
Feb. 14, Long Day's Journey Into Night at Soulpepper Theatre in previews
Feb. 17, Beckett: Feck It! at Canadian Stage
Feb. 18, Dani Girl at Talk Is Free Theatre with previews from Feb. 16

In Eastern Ontario
Feb. 14, Translations at Ottawa Little Theatre

In Northeastern Ontario
Feb. 16, Wingfield Lost And Found at Sudbury Theatre Centre

In Southwestern Ontario
Feb. 14, The Great Gatsby at The Grand Theatre (London)
Feb. 17, Self-Help at Elora Community Theatre (Fergus)

For all the theatre currently playing across Ontario, and information for theatres on how to add/update your listing, visit the ONstage theatre listings on the Theatre Ontario website.

Theatre Ontario Schedules Next Getting Started For Actors Workshop Announced

Our next “Getting Started” workshop will be held on March 21 at 2pm.

Theatre Ontario's Getting Started sessions are for actors beginning their professional careers. In this two-hour workshop, Tim Chapman, Professional Theatre Coordinator answers the most frequently asked questions about the business of acting. Find out about the realities of showbiz, pictures and resumes, Equity and ACTRA, agents and casting directors, auditioning do’s and don’ts, and maintaining and improving your acting skills.  Getting Started has no registration fee, and is available to members of Theatre Ontario only.  There is now a $5 charge per participant for photocopies of the materials distributed at the workshop.  For more information, including how to register, please visit Getting Started For Actors on the Theatre Ontario website.

Call For Applications for the Youth Theatre Training Program

Theatre Ontario is now inviting applications for the March 15, 2012 deadline for the Youth Theatre Training Program (YTTP), funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

The YTTP provides training dollars to fund accessible theatre programs involving youth aged 14 to 21. YTTP assists Ontario organizations that wish to undertake projects providing training to youth in various theatrical skills and disciplines, lead by professional theatre artists.

Read all about the Youth Theatre Training Program on the Theatre Ontario website. After reading the YTTP guidelines, applicants are encouraged to contact Tim Chapman, Professional Theatre Coordinator (tim@theatreontario.org or 416.408.4556 x.12) regarding your application.  You can also read about the most recent youth training (Fall 2011) funded by this program.

Attention Returning YTTP applicants: Please note that there are new requirements regarding Vulnerable Sector Screening under “Requirements For The Grant” in the YTTP Guidelines.