Ontario Off Stage

Behind The Scenes at Ontario’s Theatres

• Krista Jackson’s latest update on PraxisTheatre.com on her work as a Shaw Festival Intern Director
• Our Smart Marketing workshop was a hit, bringing together professional and amateur organizations from five regions, celebrating successes and acknowledging challenges

Conversations Across Borders

• “The death of subscription series might be going differently if my participating in a FULL season at your theatre paid off in some way.”  Travis Bedard reminds us that instead of constantly complaining about the problem, we need to start proposing solutions.  His first one: tent-pole seasons

From The Wire

• This past June, we heard the sad and frightening news of the stage roof collapse in Downsview Park prior to a Radiohead concert, and the death of Scott Johnson, a 33-year-old drum technician from Doncaster, England.  The Ontario Ministry of Labour Live Performance Health & Safety Advisory Committee (of which I am a member) is working on a Temporary Outdoor Performance Structures Working Group. The goal is to create a guideline for organizations that design, construct, install, operate and maintain these structures at performance and event venues.  Can you help?
• Creative Trust and Picasso PRO have just released two handbooks for producers and presenters of Audio Described and American Sign Language interpreted performances. These practical toolkits provide step by step guidance for anyone planning to open their programming to Deaf/hard of hearing or Blind/low vision attenders
• Nine organizations submitted written interest in the sale of Toronto’s performing arts theatres (St. Lawrence Centre, Toronto Centre for the Arts, and the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.)

Migrations

• Rita Davies has left as Executive Director of Culture for the City of Toronto.  The Toronto Arts Council wrote a nice appreciation

Assembled by Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

Smart Marketers at Ontario’s Theatres

By Brandon Moore, Communications Coordinator

This past June, Theatre Ontario hosted “Smart Marketing”, a one-day workshop facilitated by Cheryl Ewing from our Talent Bank.  Attended by theatres from five different regions, both professional and amateur organizations, the interaction around the table reflected the diversity of Theatre Ontario’s mandate at its best.

Successes were celebrated, challenges were acknowledged, and ideas were shared.  Cheryl presented some of the research about building relationships with patrons, and participants benefited from a mix of exercises and discussion.  The feedback forms raved about the workshop— if you missed the first workshop, and you too want to become a Smart Marketer, contact Cornelia Persich, Education Coordinator, at cornelia@theatreontario.org to pre-register, and if demand warrants, we will schedule a second Smart Marketing Workshop.

We are busily planning a number of future workshops—including one on social media for theatres which I am developing, and another from Cheryl on succession planning.  We look forward to announcing more about these and other workshops in the fall.

Browsing The Bulletin Board

Upcoming on The Bulletin Board

• Pre-Conference workshops and certification courses at CITT Rendez-vous 2012 begin next Tuesday, August 14

New on The Bulletin Board

• Deadline to apply for the Michael Langham Workshop for Classical Direction at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival—this program is for directors in the early and middle stages of their careers who have had some experience working with the classics, but not at a theatre of the complexity and scope of the Festival
• ACT II Studio in Toronto is hosting a Studio Information Day on September 5; an opportunity to learn about this theatre training program for 50 and older

Check out all the latest postings of workshops, calls for submission, opportunities for recognition on Theatre Ontario’s Bulletin Board (including information on how to submit) on our website

ONstage Openings for the week of August 7

In Eastern Ontario
Aug. 9, Harvest at Festival Players of Prince Edward County (Picton) with a preview on Aug. 8
Aug. 11, The Clockmaker at Thousand Islands Playhouse (Gananoque) with a preview on Aug. 10
Aug. 11, Mary, Mary at Classic Theatre Festival (Perth) with previews from Aug. 10

In Southwestern Ontario
Aug. 9, Rum Runners at Lighthouse Festival Theatre (Port Dover) with a preview from Aug. 7
Aug. 10, Hedda Gabler at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) currently in previews
Aug. 11, Helen's Necklace at Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake) currently in previews
Aug. 11, Elektra at Stratford Shakespeare Festival, currently in previews

In Central Ontario
Aug. 9, Blue Suede Shoes: Memories Of The King at Drayton Entertainment: King's Wharf Theatre (Penetanguishene) with previews from Aug. 8
Aug. 10, The Merry Wives Of Windsor at Theatre By The Bay (Barrie) with a preview on Aug. 9
Aug. 10, The Good Doctor at Peterborough Theatre Guild
Aug. 11, Jacob Two-Two Meets The Hooded Fang at Theatre By The Bay (Barrie) with a preview on Aug. 10

For all the theatre currently playing across Ontario, and information for theatres on how to submit your listings, visit Theatre Ontario’s ONstage theatre listings on our website.

Call for Applications for the Professional Theatre Training Program

Theatre Ontario is now inviting applications for the October 1, 2012 deadline for the Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP), funded by the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

The PTTP offers financial support for unique and flexible training with a chosen mentor in any theatrical discipline (except performance.) One can apply for professional development in his/her own discipline, or a "change of direction" in a career. To apply, applicants must have at least two years of professional experience following their formal education.

Read all about the Professional Theatre Training Program on the Theatre Ontario website.  After reading the PTTP guidelines, applicants are encouraged to contact Tim Chapman, Professional Theatre Coordinator (tim@theatreontario.org or 416.408.4556 x.12) regarding your application.

Read also about the most recent mentorships (Spring 2012) funded by this program.